The best ad networks for bloggers and publishers

What are the best ad networks for bloggers and publishers, depending on pageviews?

Google Adsense is the preferred ad network for bloggers under 10,000 pageviews. Most publishers switch to Ezoic at 10,000 pageviews and Mediavine at 50,000 pageviews. Highly trafficked websites join AdThrive. However, these ad networks are not your only options.

Imagine, switching ad networks to see an instant jump in revenue. What if you could see double your income by simply swapping ad networks?

Your website is your business, so why wouldn’t you want more income?

Luckily for you, I’m going to show you the best ad networks for publishers. Most ad networks don’t make you sign a contract, so you’re free to move around. Moving ad networks allows you to maximize your potential revenue!

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Best ad networks for 0 to 10,000 pageviews

Most bloggers are eager to make money, which usually means signing up for an ad network. Unfortunately, most ad networks are going to pay pennies until you hit around 10,000 pageviews. 

Personally, I don’t recommend joining an ad network until you’ve hit 10,000 pageviews. You’re not going to make much money, the ads are slow, and making a mistake early on can get your account banned. Once you’ve hit 10K pageviews, join a Google Certified Publishing Partner to manage your ads for you.

Google Adsense

Google Adsense is the go-to ad network for new bloggers. Most bloggers can get accepted into the Google Adsense program without traffic. YouTube is only monetized through Google Adsense, so you’ll need an Adsense account if you pursue video content.

Personally, I didn’t see much revenue from Google Adsense until I hit 10,000 pageviews. Prior to 10K, earnings were around $5 per thousand pageviews (RPM). After 10k pageviews, my earnings were $15-18 RPM.

Adsense doesn’t have any account managers, so don’t expect any support. You can get invalid traffic concerns notifications which suspends your earnings, but no real help. Instead, you’re directed to forum posts and researching the issue on your own.

The invalid traffic concerns is a major problem that most publishers face. Therefore, most bloggers recommend waiting until you’ve got 10,000 pageviews to join Ezoic. With Ezoic, you’ll get an account manager who helps with your ad management.

So yes, you can earn money with Google Adsense. However, it’s usually not worth the headache until you’ve reached 10k pageviews. Some networks, like Ezoic, allow you to link your Google Adsense account.

Propeller ads

Propeller ads is a Google Adsense alternative. You can join without any traffic and they’ll even place your Ads for you. Signing up is simple and only takes a few minutes.

Propeller ads has an almost 100% fill rate. A 100% fill rate means ads will almost always be shown, so you don’t have to worry about missing ad revenue.

Propeller ads has more support than Google Adsense. Unlike Google, you can actually talk to someone about your advertising strategy. You’re not left in the dark!

Media.net

Media.net is another Google Adsense alternative. Requirements for joining Media.net include:

• Original content, written in English
• U.S., UK, and Canadian based traffic
• Have a reasonable volume of traffic
• Website doesn’t have excessive advertising

Some of the requirements are vague. It’s unclear how much traffic you need or what excessive advertising is defined as. However, if you’ve got a couple thousand pageviews and a few ads already, you might consider applying.

Sovrn

Sovrn has no pageview requirements for joining their ad network. You can join with a brand new website if you want! However, Sovrn warns that you shouldn’t expect much money without a lot of traffic.

Sovrn mainly requires that your content is unique and original, like most ad networks. In addition, your content shouldn’t contain alcohol, offensive language, illicit activities, and more unfriendly content.

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Best ad networks for 10,000 to 50,000 pageviews

At 10,000 pageviews, you should consider monetizing your blog with display advertising. Generally, you can expect to see a $12-25 RPM joining an ad network with 10k pageviews. Therefore, your revenue should range between $120 to $250.

Ezoic

Ezoic is one of the most trusted ad networks for bloggers with 10,000 pageviews. As a Google Certified Publishing Partner, Ezoic complies with Google’s ad policies to keep your account in good standing.

The best part about Ezoic is they constantly attempt to maximize your ad revenue. Your ad placement goes through machine learning to understand the best ad locations.

Ezoic also has detailed reports, so you can see which pages are earning the most. When you know which pages are earning, you can create similar content. Similar content should bring in similar earnings potential.

Monumetric

Monumetric has four different levels of monetization, but the first level is for publishers with 10k-80k pageviews. Requirements for joining Monumetric at 10k pageviews include:

• WordPress website
• Sidebar must be 300 px wide.
• 10k pageview minimum
• Allow 6 ad implementation on mobile and desktop
• Approved site for major ad providers
• 50% of traffic from U.S., UK, AUS, and Canida
• One time fee of $99

Most people are going to be turned off by the set up fee of $99, but you’re going to earn it back. Think about it as investing into your website, so you can earn more money. With your investment, you get to talk to an ad manager and they’ll place your ads for you.

With Monumetric, you gain access to dynamic ads. A dynamic ad is where the ad changes on your website, so more than one ad unit is displayed. Doing so increases the number of impressions and revenue.

Best ad networks for 50,000 to 100,000 pageviews

When you hit 50,000 pageviews, some publishers seek out larger ad networks. You certainly don’t have to join a different network, but doing so can increase your Revenue. At 50000 pageviews, a small change to RPM can lead to a big change in earnings.

Mediavine

Mediavine is a common favorite among bloggers. Most bloggers see a significant increase in earnings when switching to Mediavine. However, Mediavine tends to focus on certain lifestyle publishers, so not all niches will be accepted.

Requirements to join Mediavine include 50,000 sessions in the last 30 day period. You’ll need to publish long format, engaging content which is original. Additionally, you need to be in good standing with Google Adsense.

Mediavine is a Google Certified Publishing Partner. You even get an account manager which helps answer any questions. Therefore, you know you’re in good hands when it comes to your display ad placement and revenue.

Even if you’re not in a “lifestyle” niche, you’re encouraged to apply. Mediavine will evaluate your site and see if it meets their requirements.

Best ad networks for over 100,000 pageviews

Once you’ve hit 100,000 pageviews, you really need to find the best paying ad network. The difference between a $25 and $30 RPM is $500 at 100k pageviews! Therefore, spend some time on each ad network to find the highest paying.

AdThrive

AdThrive is the most common ad network for publishers who reach 100,000 pageviews. Your website will be thoroughly reviewed, but not every publisher is accepted. In order to join AdThrive, you must meet the following:

• 100,000 monthly pageviews
• Majority of traffic based in the U.S.
• No prior infringements with Google or other Advertising Networks
• Unique and original content
• A secured website with an SSL certificate (HTTPS)

Most of the blogger’s I’ve seen have not regretted joining AdThrive. Again, AdThrive is a Google Certified Publishing Partner. Adthrive currently gives publishers 75% of ad revenue and uses the remaining 25% for their expenses.

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Summary: Best ad networks for bloggers and publishers

As you can see, there are many different ad networks you can partner with. Generally, it’s not worth joining an ad network until you’ve hit 10,000 pageviews. 

Most bloggers might open an Adsense account, but not use it until they can join Ezoic. At 50k pageviews, most publishers switch to Mediavine and then Adthrive at 100k. However, you don’t need to switch ad networks if you don’t want to.

For new bloggers, you’re looking at finding an ad network for 0 to 10k pageviews. Google Adsense, Media.net, Sovrn, and Propeller Ads are your primary choices.

After 10k pageviews, you can consider joining Ezoic and Monumetric. Both have their pros and cons, but Ezoic is a popular choice. Ezoic doesn’t charge you a set up fee and you can try it for free. Monumetric will charge you a $99 setup fee.

Once you’ve hit 50k pageviews, Mediavine is the best known option. Mediavine tends to take lifestyle publishers, but all content creators are encouraged to apply. Some Mediavine publishers switch to AdThrive at 100k pageviews with mixed results. Some publishers have better RPMs on AdThrive while others do better at Mediavine.