If you’re blogging and hoping to turn all that hard work into extra income, ads are usually one of the easiest ways to get started. Whether you’re writing about travel, tech, fashion, or even sharing your personal stories, ads can start bringing in revenue as soon as you get a little steady traffic. Here’s my take on how to approach monetizing your blog with ads, what programs are worth checking out, and what you should know before getting started.
Getting Started with Blog Ads: The Basics
Advertising has been a key way bloggers earn money for years, and it’s still pretty reliable. The most common way to do this is by placing display ads on your blog. Those banners or boxed ads that show up in your posts or sidebar. Advertisers pay a little bit each time someone views or clicks these ads, giving you a chance to earn passively. But not all ad networks are the same, and where you start depends a lot on your current traffic and niche.
When I put ads on my first blog, traffic was pretty low, so I started with the easiest option I could find. It made a few dollars here and there, but once my traffic picked up, switching to better paying networks seriously gave my earnings a big boost. That’s why it helps to know what’s out there and how each network operates.
Most Popular Ad Networks for Bloggers
There are quite a few ad networks, but some are way more popular and userfriendly than others. Here’s how they compare and what you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Google AdSense: The go-to for new bloggers. Super easy to set up and open to almost any blog as long as you’ve got a bit of content and routine traffic. Payouts aren’t huge unless you get lots of visitors, but it’s a great place to start.
- Mediavine: A solid upgrade once your monthly sessions are high enough; usually 50,000 sessions/month. Their requirements are stricter, but pay tends to be much better. People stick with Mediavine for the support and the higher RPMs (that’s how much you earn per thousand views).
- Raptive (formerly AdThrive): Similar to Mediavine, but requires at least 100,000 monthly pageviews. The support and payments are excellent, and larger sites often move here for higher income potential.
Other options include Ezoic, which works for midsized blogs and is known for tweaking layouts to boost earnings, plus networks like Monumetric. But if you’re just starting, AdSense is usually the best stepping stone.
Entry Requirements: What You Need to Join Each Network
Every ad network sets its own entry requirements, and knowing these early saves frustration (and wasted time applying before you’re ready). Here’s what you’ll run into with the main players:
- Google AdSense: No serious minimum traffic requirement, but you’ll need a finished blog with at least 15 to 20 quality posts and some steady monthly traffic. Your blog has to follow AdSense’s content rules and privacy policy requirements.
- Mediavine: Needs at least 50,000 sessions (not pageviews) per month, and you need to make sure your traffic is mostly from top-tier countries like the US, UK, or Canada. A good user experience, fast loading site, and original content really help your application.
- Raptive: The highest barrier; 100,000 monthly pageviews. Your content has to be mostly original, with a professional design, and you have to meet quality guidelines. Raptive is known to be less lenient with niche sites and wants blogs that appeal to ad buyers.
Networks can also check where your traffic comes from (organic Google searches are best), so keep an eye on your analytics before applying. It’s smart to check in on your stats regularly and double-check that your blog content falls within the network’s allowed topics. Traffic from top-tier countries, like the US or UK, can also boost your acceptance chances and earnings down the road.
Content Restrictions and AI Content: What You Need to Know
This is getting more important, especially with more bloggers using AI tools. Most ad networks have content policies that ban certain stuff, like illegal activities, adult or violent content, or heavy copyright infringement. Lately, networks are also being extra careful about automated content and how it’s mixed in.
Google AdSense’s policies allow some AI-generated posts, as long as you edit and make it original, but if your site is mostly unedited or mass produced AI content, it can get rejected. Mediavine and Raptive usually prefer fully original, human-written blogs and might deny sites that use too much obvious AI content. Even if you use AI to brainstorm or draft, reviewing and editing for unique style and adding your expertise is really important. Careful research helps buyers make informed decisions, and that applies just as much to ad networks sizing up your blog.
To give your blog the best chance, focus on providing genuine value to readers, weaving in your stories, adding visuals, and citing reputable sources. It’s a good idea to look over closely any AI-written drafts before publishing, to keep your voice distinct. This way, your content won’t just pass a check—you’ll build an audience, too.
How RPMs Work (And What That Means for You)
You’ll see “RPM” (revenue per mille/thousand) thrown around a lot. It’s just how much money you get per 1,000 views. AdSense usually pays the lowest RPM, but it’s good for beginners since you can get approved easily. Mediavine and Raptive routinely pay more, often 2 to 5 times what small networks pay. Your content’s niche, audience location, and season (holidays pay more) all play in. For instance, a personal finance or food blog aimed at US readers might see RPMs of $10 to $30, while a hobby blog about gardening might see a bit less, and that’s normal.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Each Ad Network
No program is perfect, so here’s a quick rundown of what’s good (and not so good) for each:
- Google AdSense
Pros: Quick approval, low traffic requirement, easy setup, fits on almost any blog.
Cons: Ads aren’t always well targeted or attractive; payouts are usually on the low side. - Mediavine
Pros: Higher payout rates, great support, ads tend to look better and load faster, more control.
Cons: Application and review are strict, higher traffic minimum, and some content restrictions. - Raptive
Pros: Excellent payouts, access to premium advertisers, top-tier customer service.
Cons: Highest pageview requirement and most selective approval process.
One thing I’ve noticed is that after switching from AdSense to Mediavine, the blog revenue climbed steadily even if traffic only went up a little. That’s why moving up to a higher tier network is worth the effort once you’ve got the traffic.
Optimizing Ads for More Revenue
Getting ads on your blog is one thing, but making them work without annoying your readers is where it gets tricky. Placing ads in your sidebar, within posts, and above the fold (near the top) tends to work best. Networks like Mediavine and Raptive handle most placement and optimization for you. With AdSense, you might need to tweak settings yourself or experiment with layouts.
Too many ads slow down your site or drive people away, so watch your site speed and avoid stuffing every inch with banners. Using fewer, better ads is usually more effective than cramming in as many as possible. A balanced approach both keeps your visitors happy and brings in steady income.
Things to Consider Before Monetizing with Ads
I’ve found a few things worth thinking about before you jump in:
- User Experience: Too many or poorly placed ads can annoy visitors and increase bounce rate. Make sure ads don’t interfere with your content.
- Traffic Source: Organic traffic (mainly from Google) is what ad networks prefer. Social or paid traffic rarely performs as well for ad revenue.
- Content Niches: Certain topics pay more due to higher advertiser demand. Finance, tech, and lifestyle often bring higher RPMs than hobbies or journaling.
- Ad Blockers: Some of your readers use ad blockers, and that cuts into views and revenue a bit. Not much you can do, so focus on quality content and growing organic traffic.
The best move is to focus on growing real, engaged traffic and producing quality original content. Then monetize naturally as your audience grows. Over time, you’ll build trust and see the returns add up.
Advanced Tips to Level Up Your Blog Ad Revenue
Once your blog has steady visitors and you’re earning something, small tweaks can make a big difference. Here are some things I’ve found useful:
- Try AB testing to experiment with different ad placements or types, and find what gives you the best results.
- Speed up your site by compressing images and ditching unnecessary plugins. Faster sites earn more from ads because readers stick around longer.
- Write more content around top performing topics and keywords to attract better paying ads.
- Check your analytics regularly to see which pages and ad placements make the most money, and adjust your strategy as you go.
With time, you’ll spot the trends on your own, but tracking and experimenting is super important for turning a decent ad income into a great one. Learning from your data lets you spot new opportunities and keep your earnings growing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blog Monetization with Ads
These are questions bloggers ask me all the time, so here are some quick answers you might find helpful:
How soon can most bloggers make money from ads?
Once you’re getting several hundred visits a month, even AdSense can start earning (think lunch money, not rent). To make $100+ each month, you’ll likely need thousands of monthly visits, steady quality content, and a focus on visitor experience.
Can I use AI content and still get accepted to ad networks?
If you carefully edit, add personal experience, and meet the originality requirements, you’ll stand a better chance. Purely unedited AI blogs rarely make it because networks want unique, personal touches and quality research.
Is switching ad networks worth it?
Definitely, once you qualify. Higher tier networks nearly always boost income and site experience for both you and your readers. Making the move at the right time can make a real difference in your monthly earnings.
Are there other ways to monetize besides ads?
Yep! Once you’ve got good traffic, adding affiliate links, sponsored content, your own products, or email newsletters can all be super useful for extra income. Combining multiple income streams can help grow your blog earnings faster and make your efforts more rewarding.
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