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Maximize Your ROI: A List of High Paying Ad Networks

Josh Slone
Wednesday, 1st Mar 2023
Julia McCoy
5 min read · Jan 11 2022

Google has an 84.69% share of the global search engine market. No wonder companies continue to invest in Google ads to increase brand awareness and generate conversions.

But if you’re looking for a list of high paying ad networks, there are quite a few alternatives to Google ads when it comes to monetizing your website.

To make sure that you get the most bang for your buck and maximize revenue potential from ads, we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of high paying ad networks. From Google Ads to Mediavine, explore our top picks below and find out which one is the best advertising network for your ad campaigns.

Table of Contents:

What is an Ad Network?

An ad network is a service that connects advertisers with publisher websites looking to host high-quality ads.

It provides an online platform where businesses can manage their campaigns and target the right audiences. Ad networks compile all of the available ad space into one central hub, allowing publishers to view how much revenue they’re generating from each campaign.

There are several advantages to working with an ad network, including improved targeting capabilities and increased reach. By partnering with multiple publishers at once, advertisers can better target their desired audience by placing ads in prime real estate on high-traffic sites related to their industry. This means more eyes on your product or service and higher conversion rates for your business.

Additionally, using an ad network eliminates the need for you to manually negotiate deals with individual publishers — saving time and money in the long run.

Of course, there are some drawbacks associated with using an ad network — namely cost efficiency issues due to limited control over pricing models and difficulty tracking performance metrics across different platforms due to lack of integration.

If you’re running campaigns on smaller websites that don’t have access to large volumes of traffic, it may be difficult for you to get a good return on investment through these networks alone.

Consider the following factors when selecting an ad network provider:

  • Pricing models (CPM versus CPC).
  • Reporting features (data precision and complexity).
  • Customer service (technical support and troubleshooting).
  • Privacy policies (how much data do they disclose).
  • Optimization options (targeting capabilities and A/B testing).

All these elements will have a bearing on your ability not only to create effective campaigns but also to monitor them accurately.

What is an Ad Exchange?

Ad networks and ad exchanges are not quite identical. They’re more like distant relatives with distinct roles to perform.

Ad networks act as matchmakers between publishers who have advertising space (ad inventory) up for grabs and advertisers looking for a spot to showcase their ads.

Through ad networks, publishers can monetize their websites by displaying relevant ads, while advertisers can reach their target audience through these ad placements.

Now, let’s talk about ad exchanges.

Ad exchanges are platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of online ad inventories. They serve as intermediaries between advertisers and publishers, allowing advertisers to purchase ad impressions or ad space on websites or apps in an automated and real-time manner.

Impressions are basically how many times your advertisement is displayed.

In other words: more impressions = more eyeballs on your ads.

Just imagine it being similar to bidding at an auction house or trading stocks — only here we’re dealing with digital advertisements instead.

Some key terms you need to know about ad exchanges:

  • Publisher: A website owner or app developer who wants to monetize their digital properties by displaying ads.
  • Advertiser: A company or individual who wants to promote their products, services, or brand through online advertising.
  • Ad Exchange: A technology platform that connects publishers and advertisers. It acts as a marketplace where ad impressions are bought and sold.
  • Ad Inventory: The available ad space on websites or apps. Publishers make their ad inventories available for purchase on the ad exchange.
  • Advertiser Demand: Advertisers provide their targeting criteria such as audience demographics, interests, and geographic location, along with the maximum bid they are willing to pay for an ad impression.
  • Real-Time Bidding (RTB): When a user visits a webpage or app, an ad space becomes available for auction. Advertisers participate in real-time auctions conducted by the ad exchange, where the highest bidder wins the opportunity to display their ad.
  • Ad Serving: Once the auction is completed, the winning ad is served to the user’s device in real-time. The entire process happens within milliseconds.

While ad networks and ad exchanges can help generate revenue through quality ads using advanced technology such as programmatic advertising or header bidding techniques, there are differences in terms of control over pricing decisions or minimum traffic requirements among others.

Now on to our list of high paying ad networks.

Running Ads on the Best Advertising Networks

The “best” advertising networks can vary depending on your specific advertising goals, target audience, and budget. There are several reputable and widely used advertising networks that offer different features and reach. 

Check out this list of high paying ad networks in the advertising industry.

For sheer market share, Google Ads tops our list of high paying ad networks.

Google Ads allows businesses to target potential customers and track the performance of their campaigns, offering a range of options to optimize ad results.

With a global ad network like Google Ads, you can craft campaigns tailored to your budget and target demographic. You can also set up automated bidding strategies to optimize your bids for maximum reach or cost efficiency. With Google Ads, you can track performance metrics in real-time to make sure your ad campaigns are bringing in plenty of ad revenue.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

Source: Wordstream

Google Ads offers the advantage of being able to precisely reach particular audiences through various targeting options like age, area, interests, keywords, and device type. Furthermore, it provides an extensive suite of tools including remarketing capabilities and dynamic search ads which help improve ad relevance, conversions, and ad revenue.

Once your ads go live, they should be visible in relevant searches. However, it is essential to observe their progress through the Google Adwords analytics dashboard by tracking metrics like clicks and impressions.

For those looking to leverage their online presence and maximize ROI, top ad networks like Google Ads can be an effective channel for your ad campaigns.

 
Key Takeaway: Google Ads is a good ad network that allows businesses to precisely target their desired audiences as well as track and optimize ad campaign performance in real time. It provides an array of features such as automated bidding strategies and remarketing capabilities, allowing marketers to get the most bang for their buck.

Media.net

If you’re looking for top alternatives to Google Ads, then you should check out Media.net.

Media.net is a premium ad network that provides access to some of the highest-paying ads from leading brands around the world. It offers advanced targeting capabilities, detailed analytics, and automated optimization tools to help publishers maximize their revenue potential.

Media.net has been a leader among top ad networks since 2003, providing over 500 million impressions daily across more than 500,000 websites. With its large inventory of quality ads, it can provide advertisers with an effective way to reach their target audience at scale while giving publishers a reliable source of income through ad revenue-sharing agreements.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

Media.net typically pays around $5 per 1,000 impressions, which is the best among quality ad networks.

Media.net is one of the most comprehensive CPM ad networks available, allowing both small and large websites to gain maximum control over their campaigns while ensuring quality results. These features include:

  • Real-time reporting
  • Dynamic pricing — allowing bids to be adjusted based on competition
  • Flexible payment options such as PayPal or wire transfer
  • 24/7 customer support
Key Takeaway: If you’re in need of a dependable source of income and an efficient way to engage your target audience, Media.net is one of the best blog advertising networks for you. With its advanced targeting capabilities, detailed analytics, and automated optimization tools, it’s no wonder why this quality ad network has been in business since 2003 – giving publishers access to high-quality ads from leading brands around the world.

Adsterra

One of the leading blog advertising networks, Adsterra provides publishers with access to high-paying campaigns from top advertisers around the world. It offers various features and tools, such as advanced targeting options, detailed analytics, automated optimization tools, multiple payment options, and more.

Adsterra’s main goal is to help publishers maximize their ad revenue potential by providing them with the highest-paying ads on the market.

The platform allows for easy integration with multiple ad networks like Google Ads, Media.net, PropellerAds, Bidvertiser, and others. Adsterra also boasts stringent anti-fraud measures to ensure that all traffic running through the system is bona fide and legitimate.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

PropellerAds

Also on our list of high paying ad networks is Propeller Ads.

PropellerAds is one of the most prominent blog advertising networks that provides publishers with the ability to make money from their display ads. Publishers can choose from various ad types such as display ads, pop-unders, banner ads, interstitial ads, and push notifications. With its self-serve interface, PropellerAds makes it easy for publishers to get started without any technical expertise.

PropellerAds offers users the opportunity to tailor their campaigns according to their own preferences. You can select an appropriate pricing model (CPM/CPC/CPV), choose target audience parameters such as age group and location, set daily budget limits, and more.

PropellerAds presents a great selection for those wanting to expand their ad revenue potential, with various services and capabilities that make monetization straightforward.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

Mediavine

Mediavine is a good ad network that provides content creators with the tools and resources to optimize their ad formats and ad placements, use header bidding and work directly with advertisers. Through Mediavine’s platform, publishers can apply for their blog advertising network by filling out an application form that asks questions about site URLs, previous applications to Mediavine, and traffic numbers in the last 30 days.

With more applicants than ever before this past year, Mediavine has raised its minimum traffic requirements in order to offer better support and ad performance to existing publishing bases.

Mediavine helps content creators maximize SEO efforts through its optimized ad placement feature which allows ads to be placed strategically on websites without compromising user experience or detracting from the website’s content.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

Ezoic

Ezoic’s ad technology helps publishers increase their revenue by automatically optimizing ads based on visitor behavior. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to analyze user data in order to optimize ads for maximum performance.

With Ezoic’s AI-driven ad optimization capabilities, publishers can maximize their earnings while providing visitors with a better experience through relevant ad content tailored specifically for them.

In addition to helping publishers earn ad revenue from optimized ad placements, Ezoic provides content marketing and search engine optimization solutions tailored specifically for blogs and other digital publications. Through content marketing campaigns such as guest blogging opportunities or sponsored posts, Ezoic can help increase website traffic by connecting bloggers with brands seeking exposure.

Ezoic offers a variety of payment methods for its publishers, including PayPal, wire transfer, ACH, and more. The company also has an automated payment system that allows you to set up your preferred method of receiving payments.

For example, if you choose to receive payments via PayPal or ACH then the funds will be sent directly to your account on the 30th day of each month when services were used. This makes it easier and faster for you to get paid without having to manually request a payment every month.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

RevenueHits

A global hit on our list of high paying ad networks is RevenueHits.

RevenueHits provides various ad types that can be used on blog sites such as display ads, interstitials, sliders, footers, and direct links for affiliate marketing. This allows you to customize the look of your ads while still providing an effective way of monetizing your blog content without disrupting the user experience.

The main benefit of using RevenueHits is that running ads on its platform is free of charge — there are no setup fees or monthly subscription costs. It also has an easy-to-use interface which makes it simple for even novice bloggers to get started even without prior knowledge about online advertising networks.

Additionally, RevenueHits offers 24/7 customer support so help is always at hand when needed.

RevenueHits offers a one-step registration process. All you have to do is submit your name, site URL, and category. There are no requirements to join the network nor any minimum traffic requirement. However, they will monitor your traffic for quality assurance purposes.

RevenueHits uses a net-30 payment schedule with several payment methods available including PayPal and Payoneer. They also offer additional bonuses if you refer other publishers to their platform.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

What Are Native Ad Networks?

Native ad networks are platforms that enable publishers to monetize their websites through the distribution of native ads. These ads blend in with the publisher’s content and provide a non-intrusive user experience. They typically command higher click-through rates (CTRs) than display ads, making them a lucrative revenue source for publishers.

How Do Native Ads Work?

Native ads generally appear as recommended content at the bottom of articles or within social media feeds. The goal is to make them feel like part of the natural page flow so they don’t disrupt readers’ experiences on a website or app. This means they must be relevant to both the topic being discussed and the interests of readers.

When clicked, native ads lead users offsite where they can access additional information about products or services related to what was being discussed on the original page.

The biggest benefit of buying ad spots in native ad networks is increased CTRs compared to other types of digital advertising formats. These networks allow publishers to share their content with other places on the web while also providing backlinks which help optimize search engine rankings.

Finally, many top native ad networks offer features such as live monitoring and A/B testing which helps ensure maximum performance from campaigns without having to continuously adjust settings manually.

Types of Native Advertising

Content recommendations are native ads that appear at the bottom of an article, usually as a list. They suggest related articles for individual users and are highlighted as sponsored content.

For example, if you’re reading a news story about politics, you might see a list of other stories about political issues below it. These can be useful for readers who want to explore more in-depth topics without having to search for them manually.

With in-article native ads, you run ads between two different paragraphs in the middle of an article. They tend to appear in lists similar to content recommendation ads. This allows audiences to view the ad while still controlling how much time they spend with it – if they don’t want to engage with it, they can just scroll past it.

For instance, say you’re reading an article on sports. There may be several short blurbs from advertisers placed strategically throughout the piece that links out to their sites or products.

Native video ads act differently than pre-roll videos since they only start playing after someone clicks on them (click-to-play). Instead of being forced to watch something while reading the article, viewers get the choice of whether or not they want to watch it by clicking play.

Top Native Ad Networks

What is the best advertising network for native ads? Here are two of our favorites.

Dianomi

Dianomi is a major native ad network that reaches 515 million users worldwide and focuses on premium audiences with average incomes exceeding $100,000. It partners with business-oriented publications such as Forbes, Bloomberg, and Reuters.

Advertisers have access to detailed analytics which can be used to tailor campaigns for maximum engagement. The ad revenue is split between the publisher and advertiser according to prearranged terms. However, Dianomi does not charge any additional fees or commissions beyond this agreement.

Taboola

For native ads, Taboola is a name you will see on any list of high paying ad networks.

Taboola is a powerful native advertising platform, catering to over one billion users across its partnered publications. Its typical ad appears as a set of content recommendations in the feed or at the end of an article. It also offers video sponsorships and provides publishers with actionable user data for editorial insights, allowing AB testing to measure content recommendation effectiveness.

Payments are made monthly through the Payoneer money transfer service, with Taboola taking a portion that has been agreed upon beforehand.

List of High Paying Ad Networks in 2023

Are CPM Ad Networks Right for You?

Deciding whether to partner with AdCash, Google Adsense, or any other top ad networks depends largely on your site’s traffic. 

The rule of thumb is if you’re receiving less than one million page views monthly, consider signing up for an ad network(s). 

However, if it’s more than a million, then exploring options like private marketplaces and real-time bidding could be more beneficial.

Bear in mind that while partnering with multiple ad networks can increase revenue potential, they might not always offer the highest ROI. In some cases, opting for programmatic advertising via platforms like Google ADX can yield better results.

The choice between these two largely hinges on your website’s monthly traffic figures. If you’ve decided to go ahead with CPM (Cost Per Mille) ad networks – which pay based on the impressions delivered – it’s crucial to keep track of your web traffic consistently. Even high-quality ads from top-tier providers won’t generate substantial revenues if there aren’t enough visitors viewing them.

Note: The estimated CPM rates mentioned here are just that – estimates. They will vary depending upon several factors including but not limited to site quality and audience demographics. It is recommended to directly contact your chosen Google Adsense or AdCash representative before setting expectations about potential earnings.

Overcoming Challenges with Ad Blockers

Ad blockers present challenges to advertisers and publishers as more users install these tools to prevent ads from being displayed. 

Tough nut to crack? Not really.

Contextual ads or native ads could help overcome this issue. These types of advertisements are designed in a way that they don’t disrupt the user experience but rather blend seamlessly within content — making them less likely for being blocked by ad-blocker tools.

Let’s look at some strategies to minimize the impact of ad blockers and improve the effectiveness of your advertising efforts:

Contextual Targeting: Focus on contextually relevant ads that match the content of the page or the interests of the users. Relevant ads are more likely to be tolerated by users and may perform better in terms of engagement and conversions.

Acceptable Ads: Some ad blockers allow “acceptable ads” that meet specific criteria, such as non-intrusiveness and relevance. Ensure that your ads comply with these criteria to increase the chances of being displayed to users who have installed ad blockers. Consider engaging with ad blocker companies and organizations to understand their criteria for acceptable ads and work towards finding common ground that benefits both advertisers and users.

Educate Users: Consider adding a message or banner on your website politely asking users to disable their ad blockers to support the site’s content or services. Some users may be willing to whitelist your site if they understand the impact of ad blockers on your revenue.

Anti-Ad Blocker Scripts: There are tools and scripts available that can detect ad blockers and prompt users to disable them to access the content. However, be cautious as some users might find these messages intrusive or might choose to leave the site altogether.

Diversify Revenue Streams: Relying solely on ad revenue can be risky, especially with the prevalence of ad blockers. Consider exploring other revenue streams like subscriptions, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, or premium services to reduce your dependency on ads.

Improve User Experience: Ad blockers are often installed because users find intrusive and disruptive ads annoying. By focusing on improving user experience and delivering non-intrusive ads, you may reduce the number of users who choose to block ads.

A/B Testing: Continuously test different ad formats, placements, and targeting strategies to identify what works best for your audience. Optimize your advertising approach based on the results of these tests.

Respect User Privacy: Avoid invasive tracking and data collection practices that may lead users to install ad blockers in the first place. Be transparent about your data usage and provide users with clear options to manage their preferences.

Remember that ad blocking is often driven by users’ desire for a better online experience and concerns about privacy and security. Balancing user preferences with effective advertising strategies is key to overcoming challenges with ad blockers while maintaining a positive relationship with your audience.

So yes – there is hope even amidst rising trends in the usage of ad blockers.

FAQs – List of High Paying Ad Networks

Which ad network pays the most?

One of the best-paying and highest eCPM (effective cost per mill) advertising networks is RevContent, but it requires a minimum of 50,000 monthly visitors.

What are the top advertising networks?

  • Google AdSense.
  • Amazon.
  • AdRoll.
  • Adsterra.
  • Dianomi.
  • Epom Ad Server.
  • GroundTruth.
  • Infolinks.

What are the 3 different types of ad networks?

  • Vertical networks: These are topic-specific ad networks that focus on fashion, business, cars, and other product categories.
  • Premium networks: These ad networks offer inventory from popular publishers.
  • Inventory-specific networks: These ad networks provide a specific type of ad inventory, such as video or mobile.

Conclusion

This list of high paying ad networks is a valuable resource for publishers looking to maximize their ad revenue. All of these platforms have something unique to offer so it’s important to research each one before making any decisions about which network will work best for you.

Written by Josh Slone

See more from Josh Slone
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