List of Ad Networks to Earn Revenue Online

Last updated: 22 October 2025

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Startups looking to monetize ad inventory have 15 viable networks ranging from instant-approval platforms with zero traffic requirements to premium networks demanding 500,000+ monthly pageviews.

The smartest choice depends entirely on your current traffic level, with early-stage startups benefiting from PropellerAds or Infolinks (no minimums, $5-50 thresholds), growing sites graduating to Monumetric or Ezoic (10,000-50,000 pageviews), and established publishers targeting Mediavine or Raptive (50,000-100,000+ pageviews) for maximum revenue.

Understanding which network matches your current stage prevents wasted application time while positioning you for the optimal revenue trajectory as traffic grows, and our market clarity reports can help you understand your market positioning to maximize monetization strategy.

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The 15 ad networks startups should consider, ranked by traffic requirements

  • 1. PropellerAds

    What it is / How big it is:

    PropellerAds is a self-serve advertising network serving over 1 billion users monthly through popunder ads, push notifications, in-page push, interstitials, and native formats. The platform offers instant approval upon registration with zero traffic requirements, making it the only network allowing immediate monetization for brand-new websites.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive an 80/20 revenue split with weekly automated payments every Thursday and a revolutionary $5 minimum payout threshold via PayPal, Skrill, or WebMoney ($20 for Payoneer, $500 for wire transfers). Setup takes minutes using their MultiTag system, and you can run PropellerAds alongside Google AdSense without policy conflicts up to 3 pop-ads per page. The platform also offers proprietary anti-adblock technology that monetizes users with adblockers installed, potentially increasing revenue by 100% compared to traditional display networks.

    Considerations:

    Popunder ads open full-screen pages in new tabs beneath the main browser window, which some visitors find annoying despite being less disruptive than traditional popups, and informational blogs typically see lower engagement than interactive sites like converters or streaming platforms.

    Good for you if:

    You're launching a new website with minimal traffic and need immediate cashflow within 1-2 weeks rather than waiting 6+ months to reach higher payout thresholds at premium networks.
  • 2. Infolinks

    What it is / How big it is:

    Infolinks pioneered intent-based advertising through eight unique formats including InText (double-underlined keywords showing ad bubbles on hover), InFold (footer-sticky recommendations), InFrame (skyscraper banners in margins), and InArticle (expandable user-initiated ads). The platform offers 24-48 hour approval with zero minimum traffic and 1-minute setup requiring just one JavaScript snippet.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 65-70% revenue share, higher than Google AdSense's 68% for display, with NET-45 payment terms and $50 minimum threshold via PayPal, eCheck, ACH, Payoneer, wire transfer, or Western Union. The platform works as supplementary income alongside AdSense without policy conflicts, and the intent-based contextual targeting provides future-proofing as third-party cookie deprecation progresses. Setup is genuinely straightforward for absolute beginners testing website monetization.

    Considerations:

    Typical CPMs range $1-5 with many publishers reporting just $0.50-0.66 RPM, meaning 76,000+ pageviews needed to reach the $50 payout threshold, and the InText format particularly draws criticism for appearing spammy with double-underlined keywords cluttering text.

    Good for you if:

    You have 10,000-50,000 monthly pageviews and want supplementary income alongside your primary ad network without investing significant setup time or dealing with complex approval processes.
  • 3. Sovrn

    What it is / How big it is:

    Sovrn accepts publishers with no stated traffic minimum, offering comprehensive monetization through its Ad Exchange (SSP), Commerce (affiliate), and data monetization products. The platform recently transitioned to SaaS pricing for Ad Management, eliminating traditional revenue share fees and potentially saving publishers an average 49% compared to percentage-based commission models.

    Why it's good:

    Payment terms are NET-30 for Ad Exchange with a remarkably low $25 minimum via PayPal, ACH, check, eCheck, or wire transfer, making it accessible for small publishers while maintaining quality standards. The Commerce product automates affiliate link insertion across existing content without manual management, and the platform emphasizes contextual advertising providing cookie-less targeting as privacy regulations tighten. Publishers maintain full control over ad placements and formats rather than ceding authority to algorithm-driven optimization.

    Considerations:

    The SaaS pricing model requires upfront monthly costs rather than percentage-based fees, which may challenge very small publishers still building consistent traffic, and publishers report variable fill rates depending on content niche and geographic traffic distribution.

    Good for you if:

    You prefer predictable costs over revenue-share uncertainty and want to combine display advertising with automated affiliate monetization without managing multiple platforms separately.
  • Market signals

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  • 4. Google AdSense

    What it is / How big it is:

    Google AdSense remains the world's largest contextual advertising network with no explicit traffic minimums, connecting publishers to Google's massive advertiser ecosystem. The platform serves billions of ad impressions daily across millions of websites, offering the deepest advertiser demand and most sophisticated contextual targeting technology available.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 68% revenue share for content ads and 51% for search ads, with NET-30 payment terms and $100 minimum threshold via direct deposit, wire transfer, checks, or Western Union. The approval process typically takes 24-48 hours, setup requires minimal technical knowledge, and the platform works seamlessly across desktop and mobile with responsive ad units. AdSense also provides the foundation for most other networks, as many publishers run AdSense as their baseline while testing alternatives.

    Considerations:

    Account suspensions result in permanent loss of all unpaid earnings with extremely limited appeal processes, and the $100 minimum threshold with NET-30 terms means first payment takes 2-4 months for small sites generating $25-50 monthly.

    Good for you if:

    You want the most reliable baseline monetization that works for virtually any content niche, and you're willing to wait 2-4 months for first payment in exchange for access to the deepest advertiser demand globally.
  • 5. Media.net

    What it is / How big it is:

    Media.net powered by Yahoo! and Bing serves contextual ads through exclusive access to Yahoo! Bing Network advertiser demand, making it the second-largest contextual advertising network globally. The platform requires no explicit minimum traffic but selectively approves sites based on content quality and traffic composition.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 70% revenue share with NET-30 payment terms and $100 minimum threshold via Payoneer or wire transfer, and the platform typically delivers higher CPMs than AdSense for English-speaking tier-1 traffic from US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Media.net provides dedicated account managers even for smaller publishers, offering optimization suggestions and placement recommendations that other networks reserve for premium accounts. The approval process examines content quality rather than just traffic volume, occasionally accepting well-designed sites with strong content even below typical thresholds.

    Considerations:

    The platform explicitly requires tier-1 traffic dominance and rarely approves sites with primarily tier-2 or tier-3 country audiences, and PayPal payments were discontinued in 2019 forcing international publishers toward wire transfers with $15-30 bank fees.

    Good for you if:

    You have majority US/UK/Canada/Australia traffic and want higher CPMs than AdSense provides, or you've been rejected by premium networks but have strong content quality that demonstrates professional publishing standards.
  • 6. BuySellAds

    What it is / How big it is:

    BuySellAds operates as both an ad marketplace and direct sales platform, connecting publishers with advertisers seeking targeted placements across 25+ verticals including tech, design, development, marketing, and business. The platform explicitly targets "niche, quality publishers" rather than mass-market sites, with selective approval based on audience quality rather than raw traffic volume.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 75% revenue share with NET-30 payment terms and $50 minimum threshold via PayPal or direct deposit, and the platform allows both programmatic and direct ad sales on the same inventory, maximizing revenue optionality. BuySellAds particularly excels for newsletter monetization through Carbon Ads, delivering native sponsorships that maintain subscriber experience while generating premium CPMs. The platform's focus on quality over quantity means approval with 5,000-10,000 monthly visitors is possible if your audience matches advertiser targeting needs.

    Considerations:

    The 75/25 revenue split is less favorable than networks offering 80-90%, and fill rates vary dramatically by niche with tech, design, and marketing content performing substantially better than general lifestyle or entertainment content.

    Good for you if:

    You publish in tech, design, development, marketing, or business niches with an engaged audience, or you run a newsletter and want native sponsorships that don't disrupt subscriber experience.
  • Audience segmentation

    Our market clarity reports include a deep dive into your audience segments, exploring buying frequency, habits, options, and who feels the strongest pain points, so your marketing and product strategy can hit the mark.

  • 7. Adsterra

    What it is / How big it is:

    Adsterra serves over 30 billion ad impressions monthly across 248 countries and territories, accepting publishers with no minimum traffic requirement and offering instant approval for most sites. The platform specializes in high-impact formats including popunders, social bars, push notifications, native ads, display banners, and direct links.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 80% revenue share with NET-15 payment terms and remarkably low $5 minimum threshold via PayPal, WebMoney, Paxum, Bitcoin, Wire transfer, or Capitalist, offering faster payment than most networks. Adsterra particularly excels for international traffic outside tier-1 countries, delivering competitive CPMs for tier-2 and tier-3 audiences that other networks monetize poorly. The platform also offers CPM, CPC, CPA, and CPL payment models, allowing publishers to optimize based on their traffic characteristics.

    Considerations:

    High-impact formats like popunders and social bars can negatively affect user experience more significantly than standard display ads, potentially reducing return visitor rates and organic traffic sustainability.

    Good for you if:

    You have significant traffic from tier-2 or tier-3 countries that other networks monetize poorly, or you operate utility sites (converters, download tools, streaming platforms) where high-impact formats generate stronger engagement than informational content sites.
  • 8. Amazon Publisher Services (APS)

    What it is / How big it is:

    Amazon Publisher Services connects publishers to Amazon's massive advertiser ecosystem through a header bidding solution that runs alongside other ad networks. The platform leverages Amazon's first-party shopping data to deliver highly relevant ads, particularly for e-commerce and product-focused content.

    Why it's good:

    APS works as a demand source within your existing ad setup rather than replacing other networks, meaning you can run APS alongside AdSense, Mediavine, or other solutions to increase competition for your inventory. The platform delivers particularly strong performance for content related to shopping, product reviews, how-to guides, and comparison articles where Amazon can serve highly relevant product ads. Setup is more technical than standalone networks but provides incremental revenue lift typically ranging 5-15% without replacing existing monetization.

    Considerations:

    Implementation requires header bidding technical knowledge or working through a managed service like Ezoic or Mediavine that handles APS integration, and the platform works best for product-focused content rather than pure informational or entertainment sites.

    Good for you if:

    You publish product reviews, comparison content, or shopping-related articles and want to add Amazon's demand alongside your existing ad network without replacing your current setup. When analyzing market opportunities for content creation, our market clarity reports identify exactly which product categories and comparison topics generate the strongest monetization potential.
  • 9. Revcontent

    What it is / How big it is:

    Revcontent specializes in native content recommendation ads appearing at the end of articles as "Recommended for you" or "You may also like" widgets, serving over 250 billion content recommendations annually. The platform requires no explicit traffic minimum but selectively approves publishers based on content quality, mobile optimization, and user engagement metrics.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 80% revenue share with NET-30 payment terms and $50 minimum threshold via PayPal, ACH, or wire transfer, and the native ad format typically maintains better user experience than display banners or popups. Revcontent particularly excels for news, entertainment, lifestyle, and viral content sites where readers naturally seek additional content after finishing articles. The platform uses advanced targeting considering device type, location, engagement signals, and content context to maximize relevance and CTR.

    Considerations:

    Native recommendation widgets can reduce internal traffic as readers click external content recommendations instead of navigating to your other articles, and ad quality varies with some widgets promoting sensational or low-quality content that may damage your site's credibility.

    Good for you if:

    You publish news, entertainment, lifestyle, or viral content where readers typically consume single articles then leave, and you want to monetize that exit intent without intrusive popups or interstitials.
  • Competitors analysis

    In our market clarity reports, you'll always find a sharp analysis of your competitors.

  • 10. Monumetric

    What it is / How big it is:

    Monumetric requires 10,000 monthly pageviews, positioning itself as the bridge network between beginner platforms and premium publishers, and serves over 1,000 publishers across diverse content niches. The platform offers full-service ad management with dedicated account managers, custom ad layouts, and continuous optimization without requiring technical implementation from publishers.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers pay a flat monthly fee ($99 for 10,000-80,000 pageviews, $199 for 80,000-500,000, percentage-based above 500,000) instead of revenue share, and the platform remarkably offers no minimum payout with NET-60 payment terms via PayPal, check, or direct deposit. Monumetric handles all technical implementation, ad layout optimization, viewability improvements, and advertiser relationship management, making it genuinely hands-off for publishers. The platform typically delivers RPMs competitive with or exceeding AdSense while providing superior support and optimization that Google's automated system can't match.

    Considerations:

    The $99 monthly fee represents significant overhead for sites generating just $100-200 monthly revenue, potentially consuming 50%+ of earnings until traffic grows substantially, and the NET-60 payment terms create longer cashflow delays than weekly or NET-30 networks.

    Good for you if:

    You've reached 10,000 monthly pageviews and want professional ad management with predictable costs rather than percentage-based revenue share, or you lack technical skills to implement header bidding and optimization yourself.
  • 11. Ezoic

    What it is / How big it is:

    Ezoic requires 10,000 monthly visits and serves over 10,000 publishers through AI-powered ad testing that automatically optimizes placements, sizes, and formats based on individual visitor behavior. The platform operates as a comprehensive publishing platform offering analytics, speed optimization (Cloudflare integration), video hosting, and ad mediation beyond just ad serving.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers keep 90% of ad revenue above certain volume thresholds (lower percentages for smaller sites) with NET-30 payment terms and $20 minimum via PayPal or direct deposit, and the AI optimization typically delivers 50-250% revenue increases compared to AdSense alone after the 30-day learning period. Ezoic handles header bidding connecting to 40+ demand partners including Google Ad Exchange, Amazon APS, and premium exchanges, maximizing competition for every impression. The platform also provides the "Access Now" feature for premium content gating and comprehensive analytics showing which articles drive the most revenue. When building content strategy, our market clarity reports reveal which topics generate the highest reader engagement and monetization potential.

    Considerations:

    The 30-day learning period often shows revenue drops as the AI tests different configurations, requiring patience and working capital to sustain operations during optimization, and the platform may add more ad density than you're comfortable with, requiring manual restrictions through the dashboard.

    Good for you if:

    You have 10,000+ monthly visits and want AI-powered optimization maximizing revenue without manual testing, or you need comprehensive publishing tools (analytics, speed optimization, video hosting) beyond just ad serving.
  • 12. Mediavine

    What it is / How big it is:

    Mediavine requires 50,000 monthly sessions, representing the gold standard for mid-tier publishers and serving over 10,000 content creators across food, lifestyle, travel, parenting, DIY, and entertainment niches. The platform pioneered video monetization for publishers, developed proprietary ad products like "Sidebar Adhesion" and "Universal Player," and maintains exclusive relationships with premium advertisers paying top-tier CPMs.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 75% revenue share with NET-65 payment terms and $25 minimum threshold via direct deposit or PayPal, and the platform consistently delivers RPMs 50-100%+ higher than AdSense through superior optimization, premium demand, and proprietary ad products. Mediavine handles all technical implementation, provides dedicated support via Slack channels and email, enforces strict user experience standards preventing intrusive ad placements, and offers transparent reporting showing exactly which content generates the most revenue. The platform also provides automatic video integration where the Universal Player monetizes through pre-roll and mid-roll ads without publishers creating video content.

    Considerations:

    The NET-65 payment terms (65 days after month-end, meaning January earnings paid in early April) create significant cashflow delays requiring working capital to sustain operations, and the 75% revenue share is lower than Ezoic's 90% though often offset by higher absolute CPMs.

    Good for you if:

    You've reached 50,000 monthly sessions with quality content in food, lifestyle, travel, parenting, DIY, or entertainment niches, and you can absorb 65-day payment delays in exchange for premium CPMs and professional-grade ad management. Understanding audience preferences and pain points becomes critical at this stage, which is where our market clarity reports provide actionable insights for content optimization.
  • Review analysis

    Each of our market clarity reports includes a study of both positive and negative competitor reviews, helping uncover opportunities and gaps.

  • 13. Raptive (formerly AdThrive)

    What it is / How big it is:

    Raptive requires 100,000 monthly pageviews (or 50,000 with existing quality monetization), positioning itself as the premium-tier publisher network serving established content creators. The platform rebranded from AdThrive to Raptive in 2022, emphasizing its evolution beyond just advertising into comprehensive creator services including video production, merchandising, and audience development.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive 75% revenue share with NET-45 payment terms and $100 minimum threshold via direct deposit or check, and the platform consistently ranks as the highest-earning ad network for established publishers through exclusive advertiser relationships, proprietary ad products, and rigorous user experience standards. Raptive provides white-glove service including dedicated account managers, quarterly strategy calls, and the Creator Collective community connecting 4,000+ publishers for networking and knowledge sharing. The platform also enforces strict quality standards protecting all publishers by rejecting low-quality content that would dilute advertiser relationships.

    Considerations:

    The 100,000 pageview requirement (or 50,000 with quality existing monetization) makes Raptive inaccessible for smaller publishers, and the premium positioning means application rejections based on content quality, site design, or niche even when meeting traffic thresholds.

    Good for you if:

    You've reached 100,000 monthly pageviews with professional-quality content and site design, and you want the absolute highest CPMs available plus comprehensive creator services beyond just advertising. For publishers at this level, our market clarity reports help identify untapped audience segments and content opportunities that can drive further traffic growth.
  • 14. Taboola

    What it is / How big it is:

    Taboola specializes in native content recommendation widgets appearing below articles as "Recommended for you" or "Trending stories," serving over 500 billion recommendations monthly across 9,000+ publishers including major media properties like USA Today, NBC, and Bloomberg. The platform requires 500,000 monthly pageviews or direct invitation from Taboola's partnerships team.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive revenue share (percentage undisclosed but industry estimates suggest 50-70%) with NET-60 payment terms and $100 minimum threshold exclusively via Payoneer, and the platform delivers strong CPMs particularly for news, entertainment, sports, and viral content where readers seek additional content after articles. Taboola's massive scale and publisher roster creates substantial advertiser demand, and the native recommendation format maintains better user experience than display banners or popups. The platform also offers header bidding integration and works alongside other ad networks without conflicts.

    Considerations:

    The 500,000 pageview requirement makes Taboola inaccessible for most publishers, Payoneer-only payments force international wire transfer fees on publishers preferring PayPal or direct deposit, and recommendation widgets can promote sensational or low-quality content potentially damaging your site's credibility.

    Good for you if:

    You've reached 500,000 monthly pageviews with news, entertainment, sports, or viral content where readers naturally seek additional content after finishing articles, and you want native monetization from a platform with premium publisher relationships.
  • 15. Outbrain

    What it is / How big it is:

    Outbrain competes directly with Taboola in native content recommendations, serving over 275 billion recommendations monthly across 7,000+ premium publishers including CNN, The Guardian, and Le Monde. The platform requires 500,000+ monthly pageviews or direct invitation, positioning itself as the alternative premium recommendation network.

    Why it's good:

    Publishers receive revenue share (percentage undisclosed but similar to Taboola's 50-70%) with NET-60 payment terms and $100 minimum threshold via PayPal or wire transfer, and the platform emphasizes content quality and brand safety more aggressively than competitors. Outbrain's Smart Feed technology uses machine learning to optimize recommendation relevance and engagement, and the platform offers both on-site widgets and off-site distribution through Outbrain Amplify where publishers can promote their own content across the network. The native recommendation format maintains user experience while monetizing exit intent.

    Considerations:

    The 500,000+ pageview requirement excludes most publishers, and the NET-60 payment terms with $100 minimum create substantial cashflow delays where first payment arrives 3-4 months after starting, assuming you reach threshold quickly.

    Good for you if:

    You've reached 500,000+ monthly pageviews with premium content where brand safety and recommendation quality matter more than maximizing raw CTR, or you want to both monetize your site and promote your content across Outbrain's network for audience growth. When developing content that resonates with your target audience, our market clarity reports identify the specific topics and angles that drive engagement in your niche.
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