As we will discussed throughout this guide on Google AdSense alternatives, publishers have an expanding set of options when it comes to monetizing website content and inventory. However, identifying and implementing the right ad tech stack remains challenging for most website owners focused on creating value through original content and digital experiences vs optimizing programmatic yield. This is where working with an ad monetization specialist like Bigfourth brings tremendous value.
From consultation on which Google Adsense alternative networks like Outbrain and BuySellAds align to your goals to architecting the optimal configurations on Google Ad Manager – Bigfourth enables publishers to punch above their weight class. This frees website owners to focus on what they do best – producing engaging content and experiences.
Why Consider Google AdSense Alternatives?
Google AdSense has been the most popular advertising program for websites and blogs for many years. However, increased competition and stricter policies have made getting approved difficult. Additionally, there are now many alternatives that can potentially increase your earnings. This guide will discuss the top Google Adsense alternatives in 2023 to consider alongside or instead of AdSense.
There are a few key reasons you may want to utilize Google Adsense alternative:
- Increased potential revenue
- Alternatives like header bidding solutions connect you to more demand sources
- Creates competition between advertisers that can increase your CPM
- More customizable setups allow you to optimize for your site
- Avoid reliance on one program
- Diversify risk in case your AdSense account runs into issues
- Mix multiple networks to maximize earnings across ad units
- Access advanced ad formats and features
- Provide interactive ad experiences not available in AdSense
- Implement creative new formats like push notifications
- Higher revenue share
- Many alternatives let you keep 70-80% of ad earnings
Top alternatives range from similar setups like Media.net to radically different approaches like affiliate marketing with Skimlinks.
| Alternative | Key Features | Minimum Traffic |
| Ezoic | WordPress plugin, basic setup help | None |
| Outbrain | Content recommendation ads | None |
| PropellerAds | Popunders, interstitials, push ads | None |
When considering alternatives, pay attention to approval requirements and differences in formats. Yahoo! and Bing’s Media.net provides a comparable experience and formats to AdSense while networks like Connatix focus exclusively on video ads.
This guide will explore the top Google Adsense alternatives in more depth so you can determine which are best suited for your site and traffic levels. Let’s dive in!
1. Google Ad Exchange
Google Ad Exchange (AdX) is one of the best Google Adsense alternatives, especially for larger publishers. AdX gives you direct access to advertise directly on Google’s display network. This section will cover key details on using AdX, how it compares to AdSense, and when it makes sense to use.
Overview
Google AdX connects premium publishers directly to advertisers in an ad exchange environment. With AdX:
- Publishers get access to Google’s full display network demand
- Advertisers can target high-value inventory
- AdX utilizes features like header bidding for maximum yield
In particular, Google AdX offers server-side header bidding for access to demand sources beyond just Google.
The key advantages over AdSense include:
- Increased competition leads to higher CPMs
- Custom floor pricing allows better yield management
- More ad formats and advanced capabilities
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Google AdX | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 70% | 68% |
| Floor Pricing Control | Full Control | None |
| Header Bidding Access | Yes | No |
| Account Approval | Difficult | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | High | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | 1 million sessions/month | None |
Due to the more advanced capabilities and demand access Google AdX brings, earnings potential is much higher compared to AdSense – sometimes 5X or more. However, the approval bar is also higher given the premium nature.
When It Makes Sense
AdSense works better for new publishers without much traffic. However, as you grow, AdX makes more sense in these cases:
- You have at least 1 million monthly sessions
- Want to implement header bidding strategies
- Your site content attracts premium advertisers
- Demand significant control over ad setup and yield
For qualifying sites, migrating from an AdSense heavy setup to Google AdX can greatly increase revenue. Google offers tools to help transition.
Overall Google AdX provides premium capabilities publishers won’t get with AdSense alone. The increased revenue potential makes it a top Google Adsense alternative.
2. Ezoic
Ezoic is one of the most popular Google Adsense alternatives, especially for small to medium-sized websites. This section will explore key details on Ezoic, how it compares to AdSense, and when it makes sense to use.
Overview
Ezoic offers an intelligent ad platform that helps publishers maximize revenue. With Ezoic you get:
- Easy integration with sites on major CMS platforms like WordPress
- Basic setup guidance from Ezoic’s team
- Access to header bidding demand sources
- A customizable self-serve interface
Together this provides an easy way for less technical publishers to advance beyond basic AdSense setups.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Ezoic | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | 50%+ | 68% |
| Ad Setup Effort | Low | Low |
| Testing Capabilities | High | Low |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | High | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
With earnings consistently reported as over 50% of ad revenue, Ezoic matches or beats AdSense in revenue potential for sites under 1 million monthly sessions. The easy signup and WordPress integration also makes it more accessible for beginners.
Advanced features like split testing help optimize formats and placements for increased earnings over time.
When It Makes Sense
Ezoic fits well for publishers who want to graduate beyond basic AdSense, but for whom other premium networks may be out of reach. Specifically:
- Sites on major CMS platforms like WordPress
- Beginner to mid-sized publishers
- Limited ad ops skills and need guidance
- Desire features like testing without major investment
Ezoic also provides support and resources specifically around using their platform to maximize revenue as an Google Adsense alternative.
For publishers who currently heavily rely on AdSense but are not satisfied with earnings rates, Ezoic provides an easy way to boost revenue by 50% or more.
3. Media.net
Media.net is a leading contextual advertising network owned by both Yahoo! and Bing. It provides a strong Google Adsense alternative in terms of features and earnings. This section explores Media.net details, comparisons to AdSense, and ideal use cases.
Overview
As a joint venture between Microsoft and Verizon Media, Media.net offers exclusive access to search and native ad inventory. Key benefits include:
- Display, native, mobile, and video ad formats
- Additional demand from top search engines
- Proven contextual targeting technology
- Popular with premium publishers
Media.net provides a contextual ad experience comparable to AdSense with the addition of proprietary search traffic. Support for multiple ad formats also adds more monetization flexibility.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Media.net | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 70% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Difficult | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | Low | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | 25k sessions/month | None |
As a more premium network focused on high quality traffic, publisher approval rates for Media.net tend to be lower. However, for publishers who meet content guidelines, earnings rates exceed those of AdSense.
Media.net also offers some of the top contextual targeting in display advertising today by leveraging proprietary search data.
When It Makes Sense
For qualified publishers, Media.net makes sense over AdSense when:
- Producing premium, brand safe content
- Have at least 25k monthly sessions
- Want access to native and video ad demand
- Seek a comparable alternative to AdSense
Especially for sites already invested in a solid contextual ad strategy, switching from AdSense to Media.net can provide a noticeable boost. Approval rates remain challenging, but revenue upside and capabilities make it a top choice.
4. Outbrain
Outbrain offers a content recommendation platform that serves as a strong Google Adsense alternative for article-based sites. This section covers Outbrain’s key capabilities, how it compares, and ideal use cases.
Overview
While known primarily for helping marketers amplify content, Outbrain also provides monetization for publishers through recommendations. As a publisher, you gain:
- Placement of text-based recommended content after articles
- Revenue when visitors click and view the recommendations
- Advanced matching through native search and data
- Flexible implementation with JavaScript tag
With a focus specifically on article and post recommendations, Outbrain provides a way to continue monetizing visitors after they finish content. No changes to layout or content needed.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Outbrain | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | 50-60% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | Medium | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
As the only specialized recommendation network for article content, Outbrain fills a unique need that AdSense does not satisfy directly. Earning rates can surpass AdSense as visitors click on highly targeted recommendations.
Outbrain also provides more transparency and control around recommended ads compared to AdSense. This results in better experience for visitors.
When It Makes Sense
Outbrain fits well as an AdSense companion when:
- You publish long articles with quality content
- Have engaged visitors who reach ends of posts
- Want to continue monetizing visitors
- Seek relevant recommendations over random ads
Especially for sites already leveraging a contextual ad strategy with AdSense, Outbrain makes an excellent addition to capture continued value after visitors finish reading.
The seamless setup and site experience also make adoption easy even for less technical publishers comfortable using AdSense.
5. PropellerAds
PropellerAds offers very aggressive ad formats that complement standard AdSense placements well. This section explores PropellerAds’ capabilities, comparisons to AdSense, and recommended use cases.
Overview
PropellerAds focuses specifically on high-impact ad formats including:
- Popunders
- Full page flex ads
- Slider ads
- Push notification ads
- Mobile redirects
This specialty in aggressive, high conversion formats provides a way to increase earnings from existing site visitors beyond what display placements deliver.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | PropellerAds | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 80% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | Medium | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
With high potential earnings and no minimum traffic requirements, PropellerAds provides an easy way to add incremental revenue on top of existing ad strategies.
More aggressive formats mean ad quality also tends to be lower vs AdSense. However the specialization in converting more users helps offset this.
When It Makes Sense
PropellerAds works for most publishers who want to push additional monetization without significant changes, especially:
- Have an existing display ad strategy
- Little downside to aggressive formats
- Have sticky content keeping visitors on-site
- Want to maximize revenue from conversions
Used alongside primary monetization like AdSense, multi-format networks like PropellerAds can capitalize on existing high-attention ad spaces. This makes them ideal companions.
With higher effort placements secured, adding specialized aggressive networks fills remaining opportunities. The incremental revenue with little integration cost also makes adoption straightforward for suitable publishers.
6. ylliX
ylliX offers a wide range of aggressive ad formats with easy signup, making it a good backup to AdSense for publishers needing alternate monetization options. This section explores ylliX capabilities, comparisons, and fitting use cases.
Overview
ylliX provides access to pop, banner, slider and many other ad formats with a focus on high impact for increased revenue. Key highlights include:
- Range of desktop and mobile formats
- Push notification ads
- Daily payments with low minimums
- No traffic or content requirements for signup
With no minimum requirements and fast approval times, ylliX allows even very small or new publishers to start monetizing quickly with higher impact formats.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | ylliX | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 85% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | Medium | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
Earning rates often surpass even premium networks given aggressive targeting and impact-based pricing models. However ad quality also tends to be lower overall and disruptive to user experience.
For publishers needing alternate or backup monetization options quickly, ylliX excels in providing better than AdSense rates.
When It Makes Sense
ylliX fits publishers who have difficulty with standard network approval or need to replace existing revenue quickly. Such as:
- Sites blacklisted or banned from major ad platforms
- Unexpected loss of ad earnings
- Want backup network for stability
- Less concerned with lower ad quality
Used proactively before major issues or outright bans, ylliX and similar networks provide emergency revenue generation to fill gaps quickly. Approval flexibility also makes them ideal fallbacks even when mature networks constitute primary program.
The potential downside of over-aggressive or low quality ads means publishers should phase back to mainstream networks eventually. But as a safety net, ylliX excels.
7. Skimlinks
Skimlinks provides an affiliate marketing platform perfect for product-focused sites to complement AdSense. This section explores how Skimlinks works, compares to display ads, and ideal use cases.
Overview
Skimlinks automates affiliate deals by converting product links in articles into affiliate versions when clicked. With Skimlinks you get:
- Automated insertion of affiliate product links
- Commissions when readers purchase via links
- Access to a wide merchant network
- Support various publisher verticals
Rather than display ads, Skimlinks focuses on helping content drive purchases of mentioned products. This provides an incremental revenue stream from existing content.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Skimlinks | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 25% sales commission | 68% ad revenue split |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Implementation Effort | Low | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
With earnings tied directly to purchases rather than clicks or impressions, Skimlinks commission rates translate to significantly higher effective CPMs when conversions happen.
The set-it-and-forget-it nature of Skimlinks also imposes little additional workload for publishers.
When It Makes Sense
If your content frequently references or recommends specific products, Skimlinks is a perfect complement to display ads like AdSense. Great for:
- Product review sites
- Niche sites covering specific gear verticals
- Want to monetize product mentions in articles
- Already producing buyer-intent content
Used alongside existing display ad placements, Skimlinks affliate approach helps content directly translate to incremental sales revenue with no changes needed to site design or layout.
Especially given most affiliate programs involve applying separately to each merchant, Skimlinks makes affiliate adoption easy and frictionless across a catalog of partners.
8. Monumetric
Monumetric offers a blogger-focused platform with impression-based pricing, making it an ideal Google Adsense alternative for mid-sized sites. This section explores Monumetric’s capabilities, comparisons, and use cases.
Overview
Monumetric provides a managed service approach to ad operations tailored specifically to publishers in the blogger niche. As a client, you get:
- Impression-based pricing models
- Four tiered programs based on site traffic
- Dedicated account management
- Custom ad placement optimization
With options suitable for blogs large and small, Monumetric grows support and capabilities in line with your increasing traffic and revenue.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Monumetric | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | 50-60% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Moderate | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | High | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | 10k sessions/month | None |
With teams experienced operating blogger-centric sites previously, platform expertise drives high value from impression-based campaigns others may not fully utilize.
While minimum traffic and setup costs pose barriers some early stage blogs can’t meet, established bloggers fit well.
When It Makes Sense
Monumetric excels for growing blogger-oriented sites compared to a one-size-fits-all solution like AdSense when:
- Produce blog, news or entertainment content
- Have above 10k monthly sessions
- Seeking hands-on management approach
- Impressions outweigh reader clicks
Ideally paired with other contextual networks to maximize revenue across placements, Monumetric fills a strategic niche.
Handling channel-specific differences with tailored strategies, Monumetric incrementally builds earning capability aligned to the growth of blogger sites specifically.
9. BuySellAds
BuySellAds operates a premium marketplace connecting publishers to advertisers seeking high value inventory. As an AdSense alternative, it offers significantly higher control and earnings upside. This section explores how BuySellAds works, compares, and aligns to publisher needs.
Overview
Rather than automated placement, BuySellAds is a demand-side platform enabling manual selling of ad space. As a publisher you get:
- Self-serve ad creation and campaign tools
- Auction-based pricing and sales velocity tracking
- Dedicated account management resources
- Demand across business, tech and other verticals
With premium brands as anchor advertisers, BuySellAds attracts meaningful budgets. But publishers must proactively sell space.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | BuySellAds | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 75% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Hard | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | High | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | 100k sessions/month | None |
With significantly higher revenue share yet more stringent approval and traffic requirements, BuySellAds distinctly focuses on established mid-market to enterprise publishers.
Higher touch account management and need to directly sell also mean more operational overhead than automated AdSense.
When It Makes Sense
BuySellAds aligns well for qualified publishers seeking greater control and earnings, for example:
- Have internal ad sales capabilities
- Produce premium content attracting brands
- Have above 100k monthly sessions
- AdSense limited by channel mix
For publishers managing multiple monetization channels, BuySellAds incremental value and premium demand attracts ad budgets competitors can’t match.
But hands-on management needs make it complementary for publishers not seeking a fully self-serve solution.
10. Connatix
Connatix provides a video-first platform for publishers seeking to monetize streaming and video on demand (SVOD/AVOD) content beyond what AdSense offers. This section explores Connatix’s video capabilities, comparisons, and use cases.
Overview
As an end-to-end video monetization platform, Connatix offers:
- Video player software and video ad serving
- Header bidding for access to demand sources
- Tools for easy content tagging
- Format support ranging from 15s pre-roll to freemium
With video streaming exploding, capable solutions to organize inventory and market to advertisers are imperative. Connatix provides just that.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Connatix | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | 70%+ | 68% |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | High | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
With video ad CPMs significantly higher and more formats to better segment audiences, Connatix unlocks order of magnitude more revenue from premium video content.
Full suite analytics and yield management capabilities also out class AdSense. But Connatix focuses exclusively on video.
When It Makes Sense
For publishers with growing or established video library assets, Connatix delivers well against AdSense, especially:
- Media sites prioritizing video content
- Broadcast networks migrating online
- Producing 10+ hours of video content weekly
- Have above 100k video streams monthly
For text and image based sites, display ads still work well. But video opens new, higher-value avenues with the right solutions.
Connatix can elevate more advanced publishers better positioned to capitalize on exploding digital video advertising demand.
11. Infolinks
Infolinks provides optionality for publishers seeking Google Adsense alternative to traditional display ads with in-text ad formats. This section covers how Infolinks works, compares, and aligns to publisher needs.
Overview
Infolinks enables ad monetization directly in the body text of content pages through:
- Automated analysis of page text
- Insertion of high relevance text links
- Engagement tracking on hover/click actions
With ads surfaced contextually in article flow rather than separate units, Infolinks minimizes layout impact while retaining targeting.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Infolinks | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 65% | 68% |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Ad Customization | Medium | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
In-text ads balance minimally disruptive placements with contextual relevance to the surrounding words. This captures value beyond disruptive banners.
Infolinks also supports standard display ads alongside text links for layering monetization.
When It Makes Sense
For publishers hesitant about impacting layouts but seeking Google Adsense alternative or additions to display ad revenue, Infolinks fits nicely by:
- Enhancing existing articles/posts dynamically
- Offering alternate text-based ad vehicle
- Allowing mix of display ad partners
- Providing turn-key contextual engine
With header bidding and page analysis automating placements, Infolinks slots in easily as supplemental income layer.
Low maintenance paired with further customization through standard display gives publishers options to diversify earnings.
12. Sovrn Commerce
Sovrn Commerce brings simple, seamless affiliate marketing opportunities to publishers seeking to expand beyond traditional display ads like AdSense. This section explores Sovrn Commerce’s offerings, comparisons, and use cases.
Overview
As a Google-incubated affiliate network, Sovrn Commerce provides:
- Automated text link affiliate conversion
- Access to over 40k global merchant programs
- Payments on CPA, CPS, and CPL models
- Support for content and ecommerce publishers
With robust reporting and payout options aligned to publisher needs, Sovrn Commerce makes affiliate adoption straightforward.
How It Compares to AdSense
| Metric | Sovrn Commerce | Google AdSense |
| Publisher Earnings | Up to 25% sales commission | 68% ad revenue split |
| Account Approval | Easy | Moderate |
| Implementation Effort | Low | Low |
| Minimum Traffic Requirement | None | None |
With earnings tied to conversions, affiliate programs like Sovrn Commerce return significantly higher yield on qualifying product mentions. This comes without layout impact.
Hassle-free merchant relationship management also saves immense headaches.
When It Makes Sense
For product and review-centric sites, Sovrn Commerce excels as an AdSense addition:
- Naturally mention specific products
- Prefer minimal layout interference
- Produce buyer-intent content
- Don’t have affiliate experience
Sovrn Commerce strategically targets monetization gaps around converting product interest into transaction revenue – perfect for adding incrementally without overhaul.
With platforms handling merchant relationships and tracking, affiliate programs continue maturing into must-have publisher monetization pillars.
Conclusion – Picking the Right Google Adsense Alternative
While Google AdSense provides an easy way to monetize website content, there are compelling reasons publishers explore Google Adsense alternatives– from access to more demand partners via header bidding to tapping into entirely different models like affiliate marketing.
The ideal Google Adsense alternative depends greatly on your site’s specific conditions and strategic goals. As covered in this guide, consider elements like:
- Current scale and growth trajectory
- Expected user experience impact
- Available ops skills and bandwidth
- Need for specialization (e.g. video)
Top alternatives fit different strengths:
- Google AdX – Premium programmatic monetization
- Ezoic – Entry level header bidding
- BuySellAds – High-touch managed marketplaces
- Skimlinks – Frictionless affiliate enablement
Many also combine multiple networks:
- AdSense + Outbrain for recommendations
- Connatix for video + header bidding on rest
No single approach universally applies best. Choose what fits site conditions now and where you want to take things long-term.
Diligently evaluate options, judiciously experiment with supportable solutions, and reassess periodically as the ecosystem and your needs evolve.
The platforms covered throughout this guide provide a strong starting point for identifying better-matched Google Adsense alternatives. Increase odds of success by focusing on strategic imperatives rather than getting distracted by hype surrounding the latest shiny new technology or vendor.
Adapting programmatic strategies to channel and content type continues opening significant untapped value – where AdSense alone falls short for many modern publishing operations.
Website Services and Our Mission
With deep expertise specifically around publishing and advertising technology, Bigfourth’s managed service for AdSense publishers and website owners simplifies taking advantage of various display, native, and even emerging creative ad formats across devices. Through hands-on implementation, ongoing optimization, and account management, Bigfourth essentially operates as an extension of your team to make websites efficient, scalable media properties.
With transparency, aligned incentives around revenue growth, and trading operations support – ad monetization moves from distraction to value creator for Bigfourth clients. The team keeps your website’s or web app’s ad setup current on the latest header bidding techniques, leveraging services like Amazon Publisher Services and video advancements via platforms like Connatix.
Check out Bigfourth’s site and about page to learn more about specific offerings and get in touch to discuss your website’s options beyond just Google AdSense.
Contact Bigfourth LTD
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