The 17 Best Ad Networks For Content Creators In 2024

Ad networks serve as a bridge to help advertisers find ad placements on websites that align with their target consumers and goals – and vice versa. They help publishers connect with advertisers whose ads align with their own content and audience.

For bloggers and content creators, ad networks provide an opportunity to make money from their content without having to negotiate directly with advertisers.

As opposed to using sponsored posts or affiliate marketing deals, ad networks represent a more automated, hands-off option that removes a lot of manual work – saving creators time and stress.

Here’s how ad networks typically function, though this can differ depending on the type of ad network you decide to work with.

• The publisher joins the network – This is the first step and usually requires you to submit your content or site for review. Often, ad networks will have a minimum traffic requirement for you to join. Once the network has assessed whether your content fits its criteria (e.g., content quality, niche, traffic, etc.), it will make a decision on whether to approve you.
• Ad placement – Once you’ve been approved, you’ll the process of getting ads placed on your site. This process will differ depending on which network you use. Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting a code snippet that you then embed on your site. Other times, you will share your available inventory and have advertisers send you bids for placements. The ultimate outcome is that the ad network will enable you to place ads on your site or content that resonate with your audience and drive clicks and impressions.
• Earnings generations – Advertisers pay the ad network to serve their ads, and when users see those ads on your site and click or view them, you earn money. How much money you earn depends on how the network pays.
• Payment – The ad network then pays you your earnings through whatever method you choose. Sometimes, they’ll take a commission, which will vary depending on the network.

What Are The Different Types Of Ad Networks?

While the types of ad networks out there are always evolving and changing, here are some of the different types you might come across.

Vertical Networks

These are networks that specialize in specific niches or industries. Their purpose is to help advertisers in the said industry reach a highly targeted audience.

For example, you might find a vertical network that only serves ads related to ecommerce or finance, and this would be a good fit for a creator whose content aligns with those topics.

Premium Networks

These are networks that emphasize high-quality ad content. They’ll often work with first-rate publishers and creators, or websites that generate a ton of traffic. Why? Because some advertisers are more likely to spend the big bucks to place their ads on sought-after sites.

Specialized Or Inventory-Specific Networks

Sound a lot like vertical networks? That’s because they are.

The main differentiator here is that specialized networks can be focused on the type of content rather than the industry. Think: A video-specific network or one that only serves ads within podcasts.

Targeted Networks

Advertisers that want to reach a hyper-specific demographic or segment or users might leverage a targeted network. They focus on very particular targeting based on a range of criteria, like location, user behavior, etc.