As digital advertising has become increasingly popular, many publishers are looking for ways to monetize their online content. Ad networks can be a great way for publishers to earn revenue by displaying ads on their websites, but with so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which network is the best fit for your specific needs.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the 10 best ad networks for publishers. Our list includes both established and up-and-coming networks, with a focus on those that offer high payouts, a variety of ad formats, and excellent support for publishers.
We’ll explore the pros and cons of each network, discuss their unique features and offerings, and provide real-world examples of publishers who have found success with each one. Whether you’re a small blogger or a large media company, this article will help you find the right ad network to maximize your earnings and grow your online presence.
Table of Contents
10 Best Ad Networks for Publishers
Here is our list of the top ad networks for publishers, Advertisers, and WordPress Bloggers:
1. Google AdSense (by far)
Google AdSense is widely considered the top ad network for publishers, and for good reason. It’s a program run by Google that allows website owners and content creators to monetize their content by displaying ads on their sites. Google AdSense offers a wide range of ad formats, including display ads, text ads, and native ads, making it easy for publishers to choose the format that works best for their site.
One of the biggest advantages of using AdSense is that it has a massive network of advertisers, which means publishers are likely to see high-paying ads on their sites. AdSense also uses contextual targeting, which means that the ads displayed on a site are relevant to the content of that site. This improves the overall user experience and can lead to higher engagement and click-through rates.
Another benefit of AdSense is that it offers a variety of customization options, including ad sizes, colors, and placement. Publishers can experiment with different ad formats and placements to find the combination that works best for their site and audience.
AdSense also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to track earnings and performance metrics. Publishers can see which ads are performing well, and how much they’re earning, and make adjustments to their ad strategy as needed.
However, AdSense does have its downsides. The program is known for having strict policies and guidelines, and publishers must adhere to these policies or risk having their accounts suspended or terminated. Additionally, Google takes a significant cut of the revenue generated by AdSense ads, so publishers may not earn as much as they would with other ad networks.
2. Mediavine
Mediavine is an ad management company that specializes in helping publishers earn revenue from their websites. It offers a range of ad formats, including display ads, video ads, and native ads, as well as advanced targeting and optimization features to ensure maximum earnings.
One of the biggest advantages of using Mediavine is that it offers a high revenue share to publishers. The company takes a lower commission than many other ad networks, meaning publishers can earn more money from their ads. In addition, Mediavine offers a variety of tools and resources to help publishers optimize their ad strategy and improve their earnings over time.
Mediavine also places a strong emphasis on user experience and offers a range of ad formats and customization options to ensure that ads are engaging and non-intrusive. The company is known for its commitment to quality and only works with publishers who meet certain standards for website design and content quality.
Another benefit of using Mediavine is that it offers excellent support to its publishers. The company provides a dedicated account manager to help publishers with any issues they may encounter and also offers a community forum where publishers can connect and share advice.
However, Mediavine does have some drawbacks. The company has strict eligibility requirements, and not all publishers will be accepted into the program. Additionally, Mediavine’s revenue share model means that publishers may earn less if their site has low traffic or engagement.
3. Ezoic
Ezoic is an AI-based ad network that specializes in optimizing ad placements and formats for publishers. It uses machine learning algorithms to analyze user behavior and optimize ad performance in real-time, allowing publishers to earn more revenue without sacrificing user experience.
One of the unique features of Ezoic is its proprietary Ad Tester tool, which automatically tests different ad placements, sizes, and formats to find the best combination for each individual user. This not only improves revenue but also improves user engagement and satisfaction by ensuring that ads are relevant and non-intrusive.
Ezoic offers a wide range of ad formats, including display, native, video, and mobile, as well as access to premium demand partners such as Google AdExchange, AppNexus, and Rubicon. It also offers tools for site speed optimization, content analysis, and audience insights, making it a one-stop shop for publishers looking to improve their overall site performance.
One of the drawbacks of Ezoic is its revenue share model, which can be up to 50% for some publishers. However, many publishers have reported significant increases in revenue after switching to Ezoic, making it a worthwhile investment for those looking to optimize their ad performance.
4. Adthrive
AdThrive is an ad network that focuses on serving premium ads to publishers. Founded in 2013, the company has quickly gained popularity among publishers due to its reputation for high payouts and excellent support.
AdThrive is known for its strict quality standards, which ensure that ads are of high quality and are relevant to the publisher’s audience. The company works with a wide range of advertisers, including major brands and agencies, to offer a variety of ad formats, such as display, video, and native ads.
One of the key advantages of AdThrive is its revenue optimization technology, which uses real-time bidding to maximize the revenue potential of each impression. This technology also ensures that ads are delivered at the right time to the right audience, improving the user experience on the publisher’s site.
AdThrive also provides publishers with detailed analytics and reporting, allowing them to track their performance and optimize their ad placements. The company also offers a dedicated support team that provides personalized assistance to publishers, helping them to troubleshoot any issues and improve their earnings.
While AdThrive is a popular ad network among publishers, it does have some limitations. The company only works with sites that have a minimum of 100,000 monthly pageviews, which may be a barrier for smaller publishers. Additionally, AdThrive requires publishers to commit to a long-term contract, which may not be suitable for those who prefer flexibility in their ad partnerships.
7. Media.net
Media.net is a leading ad network that offers a variety of ad formats, including display, native, and video ads. It is an excellent option for publishers looking to monetize their online content, as it offers high-quality ads from premium advertisers and a user-friendly platform.
One of the main benefits of Media.net is its strong focus on contextual advertising. The network uses sophisticated technology to analyze the content of a publisher’s website and display ads that are highly relevant to the content. This not only improves the user experience for readers but also increases the click-through rate and revenue for publishers.
Media.net also offers a range of customization options, allowing publishers to choose the ad format, size, and placement that best suits their website’s design and layout. The platform also provides detailed performance reports, allowing publishers to track their earnings and optimize their ad placements for maximum revenue.
Another advantage of Media.net is its high payouts. The network offers a revenue share model, with publishers earning a percentage of the revenue generated from the ads displayed on their websites. The exact percentage varies depending on the publisher’s niche and the type of ad format used, but Media.net generally offers very competitive rates.
One potential downside of Media.net is that it has strict approval requirements, and not all publishers may be accepted into the network. However, for those who are accepted, Media.net can be a highly lucrative ad network with excellent support and a user-friendly platform.
6. Sovrn Holdings
This ad network was announced last year but is already showing excellent results. According to their own figures, they are the 2nd largest independent ad network in the US with 77 thousand websites using their service.
Sovrn Holdings have raised $7 million so far and are constantly on the lookout for new publishers who want to monetize their traffic with “smart” ads that keep users engaged while reducing publisher’s costs by 10-30%. They are very selective when it comes to publishers since they only want quality sites that will not harm their brand name or damage their reputation in any way.
You can expect them to get even bigger in 2013 thanks to strong backing from investors like Foundry Group, who have also invested in many other successful Web ventures.
7. AdBrite
AdBrite is another well-known player that has been around since 2005. Its network consists of over 100 thousand websites generating more than 1 billion ad impressions every month. They are planning to monetize approximately 60% of this traffic for 2013, which should push them forward.
With headquarters in San Francisco and staff located around the world, they are trying to get rid of their somewhat shady past by changing company policies for publishers quickly after some major screw-ups (like publishing malware ads).
They were definitely hit hard when Google decided to orphan all AdBrite’s publisher accounts at once back in 2010.
Nevertheless, the network is now fully operational and is constantly looking for new publishers. When it comes to ad types they are very determined not to be left behind: from QR codes and mobile ads to video pre-rolls and Facebook app install ads – you name it!
What we find most interesting about AdBrite is that their platform allows you to manage your ad inventory in real-time, making it easier than ever for publishers with multiple websites.
8. MGID.
MGID is a global ad network that was built to help advertisers and publishers work together more efficiently. They have been working with thousands of partners around the world since 2006 and have some cool stats on their website:
- 1.5 billion ad impressions served each month;
- 5 billion ad requests each month;
- 50+ different ad formats are available.
Their top-notch filtering system allows advertisers to target their ads to a very specific audience and publishers to maximize revenue. If you are interested, you can read more about their dynamic filter system here.
MGID offers an embedded platform that is very good for both publishers and advertisers. The latter can now create their ads right on your website, while the former gets to pick the formats he likes and embed them in his own website.
MGID also offers several account types to accommodate any publisher, including untrusted publishers who are still trying to establish themselves.
9. AdNgin.
AdNgin is an ad-serving platform that provides publishers with a complete solution to control, monetize and optimize their ad inventory. The platform consists of three key elements:
- Ad Engine where publishers can define how they want to monetize their website through custom channels or predefined ones;
- Automated Monetization Suite for performing routine tasks like optimizing bids, capping eCPMs, and blocking suspicious traffic;
- Monetization Dashboard gives you a bird’s eye view of your revenue, ad performance, and account management activities.
AdNgin offers several tools that can benefit all kinds of publishers: from small websites to corporate portals such as Amazon or eBay. What we like about this platform is that it has an option for every type of publisher: from contextual, video, and mobile ads to internal linking.
10. Bidvertiser.
Self-proclaimed experts in “Search Bid Marketing”, Bidvertiser is a platform that promises to help publishers increase their revenue.
Their easy-to-use, fully automated post editor allows publishers to choose where their ads will be displayed on their websites. Instead of manually placing the code, the editor lets publishers select the location and the type of the ad, and then generates the appropriate HTML code.
For publishers without any technical knowledge, Bidvertiser also offers several pre-made templates that can be easily implemented on any website. If you want to test this ad network, they have a very generous $100 account credit for you to try their platform.
Conclusion
Choosing the right ad network can make a significant difference in a publisher’s ability to earn revenue and grow their online presence. Our top 10 list includes some of the most popular and effective ad networks available, each with its unique features and benefits.
Whether you’re looking for an AI-based optimization tool like Ezoic, a high-paying ad network like Mediavine, or a platform with a focus on user experience like AdThrive, there’s an ad network out there to meet your needs.
When selecting an ad network, it’s essential to consider factors such as ad formats, revenue share, support for publishers, and the overall user experience. Publishers should also be willing to experiment with different networks and ad formats to find the combination that works best for their specific audience and content.
By leveraging the right ad network, you can increase their revenue, grow your audience, and ultimately achieve your goals online. So, take the time to explore the options mentioned in this article and find the ad network that’s right for you.
😉 Good luck!
