Google’s AdSense is far from the end-all-be-all of earning with ads. Its simple setup and ‘hands-off’ experience is a win for new bloggers but quickly becomes a hindrance when it’s time to increase earnings.
As you pour more time and effort into growing your blog, you would expect its revenue to grow with it. Sadly, for a publisher only using AdSense, this isn’t the case. But you deserve it! And I want to help you get there. So if you’ve outgrown AdSense or just want to diversify your revenue stream smartly, keep reading. I’ve laid out the most essential details to help you succeed.
Reasons to use an Alternative
It’s no secret AdSense has its shortcomings. And for any publisher looking to scale or maximize their earnings, they’ll quickly hit a wall.
Some of the best reasons to use an alternative are:
Ad limitation:
- If you’re looking to experiment with different types of layouts and ad types, you’ll undoubtedly need to find an alternative.
- Other services provide an ample variety of ad types, sizes, formats, and layouts to work with while often helping to optimize said layouts.
- Contextual text ads sometimes just don’t fit a site’s design and layout. Other ad formats that Google AdSense does not support work better on many sites.
Ad quality:
- We all love when ads enhance and complement our content. Similarly, no one likes when ads make a website hard to look at. By working with a more extensive network stack, you can improve the ads that get served to your viewers.
Increased revenue:
- One of AdSense’s biggest limitations is its network stack. However, working with a larger network stack is an easy way to see an increase in earnings.
- Other ad platforms work on a cost-per-thousand (CPM) basis, meaning you generate revenue when users view your ads. So if you’re making little yield using AdSense’s cost-per-click model, switching may help you see more.
Diversify revenue:
- Even if you’re happy with the platform, keeping all your eggs in one basket is never a good idea!
- Branching out and integrating other networks is a simple way to protect yourself should anything happen to your AdSense account.
What to Look for
Finding a sweet balance between what you need and what you want is the best place to start when branching out from AdSense. Of course, more money comes top of mind, and it should be. But should you sacrifice website quality or traffic just to get it?
That being said, a quality partner is critical. So let’s not skimp on the research! You should be getting answers to the big questions and anything else you might want to know. For example, will page loading speed be affected? Is the bidding process transparent? Do they have a history of network non-payment among bloggers?
In general, these are the best factors to consider when searching for a new provider:
Ad Management:
- High-performing ad units take time and A/B testing. So, working with a network that gives you the control and freedom to experiment is necessary.
- Having more control also allows you to design your website to your liking.
Ad Variety:
- There are so many ad types out there, and you should have full access to them.
Network size:
- If you want to see an increase in earnings and get better quality ads, I’ll repeat it, be a part of a competitive network.
Compensation:
- It’s important to know what type of revenue model (CPM, CPC, etc.) a network operates under. Depending on your website, one may work better than another.
- Protect yourself from clawbacks and missed payments by getting the scoop on their payment history.
Safety:
- You want to protect your brand and users. Finding out what companies offer regarding safety solutions and products can help you avoid data protection and privacy laws breaches.
Getting Started
Finding an ad network requires a bit of effort and work on your part. Some networks that come well recommended are:
- AdSterra
- Monumetric
- Media.Net
- PropellerAds
Getting started with header bidding
The digital landscape is constantly changing and upgrading–advertising included. So I say, spare yourself the much-required effort of scoping out networks and work with a header bidding provider. Off the beaten path of traditional networks, header bidding providers are an ad management platform that brings an array of networks together to bid for your ad units simultaneously.
Although a lot of ‘tech talk’ surrounds the topic ‒AI, machine learning, etc.‒ at its core, header bidding just offers a variety of solutions to publishers most networks (and AdSense) don’t. It’s a straightforward process that saves you the trouble of finding and integrating ad networks to work with. They hit all the significant markers of what an alternative should have.
For bloggers hitting the 30,000 impressions a month marker, upgrading to a premium header bidding provider like Newor Media is one of the best (and easiest) ways to maximize earnings. They have a dedicated publisher relations team to assist with all aspects of header bidding management, from implementing units to getting paid each month.
The platform also offers bloggers quite a few bells and whistles to protect the quality of your website and make you more money! Beyond having partnerships with top ad networks, they optimize ad layout, balance user experience, offer consent management platforms, and provide a host of revenue-generating solutions. As a result, publishers generally see anywhere from a 50-200% boost in ad earnings when switching from AdSense.
Conclusion
Whether you’re confidently ready to switch or just in the market, it never hurts to connect with a platform. So long as your site gets decent traffic and you take the time to find a great partner, you’ll be boosting your revenue in no time. Hopefully, this has helped you feel confident in your switch and empowered you to find the right providers. If you’re ready to take a next step in earning more, consider checking out this free earnings calculator.
