If you’re a small publisher with little or no traffic, it can be difficult to find ad networks that work for you.
The good news is that there are many ad networks that do not require minimum traffic requirements. In this post, I will list the 20 best ad networks for small publishers.
So if you’re just starting out, or if your website isn’t seeing the traffic you want, these networks may be your best option. Keep reading to learn more!
What is an ad network?
An ad network is a platform that connects app or website publishers with brands that want to advertise their products and services. The main task of the network is to collect ad slots from publishers and match them to the advertiser’s demand. This makes it easier for publishers to monetize their websites with ads instead of making one-off offers to potential advertisers, which takes a lot of time and effort.
The Importance of Ad Networks
Advertising networks make things easier for both publisher and advertiser. Publishers do not need to direct their efforts towards advertisers when they can simply sign up for an ad network and take advantage of its inventory. The advertiser does not need to worry about finding sites where they can advertise because the network takes care of this.
These platforms enable many websites to survive on advertising revenue in exchange for providing their content for free.
Different Types of Ad Networks
Below are some of the main types of ad networks:
- Premium ad network: This type of ad network offers inventory from popular publishers.
- Vertical ad networks: These are ad networks that specialize in certain topics. For example, technology ad networks, automobile ad networks, business ad networks, fashion ad networks, and so on.
- Inventory ad network: This type of network focuses on a specific type of inventory (such as mobile, video, natural ads).
- Affiliate Ad Network: These networks usually use the revenue sharing model, cost per click (CPC), or cost per fixed operation (CPA).
How to Choose the Best Ad Network?
Finding the best ad networks is easy. There’s just one problem – there are just too many options. And the jargon used in the advertising tech industry certainly doesn’t help matters. Should you choose CPC or CPM? Should you choose the standard IAB units or the newer, more innovative types?
Some of these questions may seem daunting if you don’t take the time to understand how the online advertising system works, so choosing a network for your website may seem like a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be.
In the end, it comes down to a few things that you should consider to find the best ad network:
- Network size of advertising partners
- The quality of the ads in the network
- Variety of ad formats available
- Terms of compensation and payment
- Basic technology used
Best ad networks with no traffic requirements
There are hundreds of ad networks available causing the number of choices to increase. Some of them are for general websites, while others are targeted to specific domains. Each has different publisher acceptance requirements and rules about what can be advertised on their platform. We have compiled a list of some of the best ad networks with no traffic requirements to make it easier for you to find the best one.
1. Google AdSense
Google AdSense is probably one of the largest and most popular advertising networks in the world, and it’s no wonder. They offer high quality traffic and a variety of ad formats to choose from.
Since this is a huge network, you will likely find many advertisers who are interested in promoting their products or services through your website.
Another good thing about Google AdSense is that it doesn’t need a lot of traffic to get approved as a new publisher. Your site only needs to publish at least 15-20 high quality posts to get approved.
Running ads on your site is even easier when you’re approved, just add a few lines of code to your site. If you are looking for an ad network that can deliver high-quality traffic and a wide range of ad formats, Google AdSense is a best choice.
Requirements & Features
- Minimum Payout – $100 minimum threshold.
- Monetization type – CPC and CPM model.
- Ad formats – Auto Ads, In-Feeds, In-Articles, Multiplex, Interstitial, and Display Ads.
- Traffic requirement – None. (Unique and original & High-Quality content)
- Payment methods – EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer), Wire transfer.
Despite this, Google AdSense can still be available to small publishers. Make sure that you are creating high-quality, original materials before applying for Google AdSense, and that your site meets the publisher standards set by Google.
2. Ezoic
Ezoic is the best advertising solution for most publishers and the best Google AdSense alternative. It is a revenue generating platform that integrates seamlessly with top commission networks like Media.net and Google AdSense.
What sets Ezoic apart is that it is an AI machine learning platform that is designed to help you increase your ad revenue.
Ezoic uses machine learning to continually test different ads, sites, etc. to find the highest paying configurations.
You can use drag and drop to set up test sites. Then you can choose goals and run tests (for example, maximizing return against improving user experience, or achieving perfect balance).
In terms of the ads themselves, you can actually connect with some of the other ad networks on this list to test ads from different sources – for example, Media.net or Google AdSense.
Features and Requirements:
- Monetization type – CPC, CPM and Hybrid (CPC+CPM) based model.
- Ad formats – Display banners, video ads, interstitial ads and native ads.
- Traffic requirement – None.
- Minimum Payout – $20 minimum.
- Payment methods – Paypal, Payoneer, and Wire transfer.
Originally, you needed to have 10,000 sessions per month to join. However, now anyone can join via their Access Now program with no traffic requirement. It works with all content headers and the minimum payout is also just $20.
3. PropellerAds
PropellerAds is a popular classifieds and mobile ad network that claims to have over 100,000 customers. Advertisers can target more than 195 geographic opportunities with quality content through advanced ad fraud prevention software. Publishers can easily sign up and start earning revenue once approved. It includes the forms of advertising supported by the lower appearances, the distant media, and the payment notifications.
This network boasts of serving more than 12 billion ad impressions daily. Advertisers can run campaigns in different formats or even combine multiple formats into one ad. Multi-format advertising is an important feature for publishers because it increases the number of ads they can serve.
- Models: CPC, CPM, and CPA
- Minimum traffic: None
- Payout methods: PayPal, WebMoney, wire transfer, Skrill, ePayments, and Payoneer.
You don’t need to have any technical skills to place ads on your website. After signing up and validating your site, all you need to do is:
- Get an ad tag with a few clicks.
- Place it on your website.
- You can get up to $1 – $4 for 1000 views.
4. RevenueHits
RevenueHits presents another excellent CPM network option, forming partnerships with several other networks such as Propeller Ads, Clickadu, and Link Shrink. Registering as a publisher is straightforward, requiring minimal information. As a self-service ad network platform created by Intango, they secure a spot among networks that don’t impose minimum traffic prerequisites.
What sets RevenueHits apart is its user-friendly system. By establishing a placement on either your desktop or mobile site, you receive a code tag to incorporate into your website. Once operational, your ad space becomes populated with advertiser ads, generating earnings based on your site’s traffic. The process is remarkably uncomplicated.
While no specific traffic minimums are mandated, they do uphold typical content standards. Adult content, harassment, illegal weaponry, and other illicit materials are prohibited, adhering to industry norms.
- Monetization type – eCPM based.
- Minimum Payout – $20 minimum and $500 if it’s a wire transfer.
- Payment methods – Paypal, Payoneer, and Wire transfer.
On the RevenueHits site, you can see demos of all different ad types, including:
- Display banners
- Popunder ads
- In-page push ads
- Button ads
- Footer ads
- Floating banners
- Shadow box ads
- Slider ads
- Dialog ads
5. Popads
PopAds is a pop-under ad network that is known to be relatively faster and safer than others of its kind. It provides publishers with a means to monetize their website traffic with high quality pop-under ads.
An advantage for publishers is that it allows on-demand payment and access to advertisers from more than 40 countries. As a result, this gives publishers a wider scope when it comes to keyword selection and targeting to effectively monetize traffic to their niche. Therefore, it is known as one of the best ad networks.
PopAds claims that average CPM revenue for 1,000 US unique visitors has never been below $4.
- Model: CPV, CPM
- Minimum traffic: None
- Minimum payout: $5 through PayPal or $500 for a bank wire transfer
6. Adcash
Adcash DSP+ claims the sixth spot on this compilation. It stands out as a prime example that truly embraces no minimum traffic requirements, coupled with its predominantly self-service approach. Once you enroll for your publisher account, you’re furnished with tags to seamlessly embed across your preferred ad display zones on your website. Subsequently, you commence generating revenue based on these display ads, a process that’s exceptionally user-friendly.
In operation for more than 11 years, Adcash DSP+ boasts an astounding global presence, serving over 600 billion requests each month. With tens of thousands of live campaigns in constant motion, your ad space is virtually guaranteed to remain occupied, contingent upon your viewer numbers. While estimating your potential CPM values is subjective and varies with your traffic and sources, they certainly don’t rank among the lesser networks.
Despite its merits, Adcash DSP+ does impose certain limitations. Of foremost importance, adult websites are strictly prohibited within their network. Furthermore, stringent guidelines apply against sites featuring violent content, hate speech, hacking and cracking materials, and illicit item sales, among other prohibited content categories. These regulations align with the customary stipulations that preclude monetization of any illegal content, reflecting the industry’s established norms.
- Model: CPM, CPC, CPA Target
- Minimum traffic: N/A
7. Adsterra
As of 2023, Adsterra has firmly established itself as one of the most renowned ad networks. With a staggering count of over 28,000 publishers and 13,000 advertisers, it garners widespread popularity. The process of website approval is typically swift. One of its defining features is a 100% fill rate, a testament to its capability in ensuring revenue generation for publishers with steady traffic. The range of supported ad formats encompasses Popunders, Native Ads, Banners, and In-Page Push notifications.
Distinguished by its elevated rates, the platform is particularly appealing to publishers. An illustrative case study unveils the success story of a blogger who accrued $500 from approximately 230,000 website visits over a span of roughly two months.
- Minimum traffic: None
- Model: CPM, CPC, CPI & CPA
- Minimum payout: $100 for a electronic transfer
8. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is a popular affiliate program. While there is a way to use Amazon Associates by manually placing product links in your content, Amazon also has a special contextual advertising feature called Native Shopping Ads that allows you to get even closer.
If you use Native Shopping Ads, you will be able to automatically display contextual products from Amazon on your site. If visitors click on those products, you will get a commission if they complete the purchase.
The downside is that you will only get paid if the purchase goes through. But the plus side is that you can also earn commissions on other products they add to their carts after they click through from your site – not just the product that was in the ad.
Amazon Associates has a very low payout threshold – only $10. Just make sure you understand Amazon Associates’ rules and policies, as they can be stricter than some other ad networks.
9. Outbrain
Outbrain is a native ad platform and has recently introduced contextual ads. They have one of the best quality ads out there, and work with a wide range of advertisers.
The best thing about Outbrain is that they accept almost all types of websites. You just need high-quality, original content on your website to get Outbrain approved.
Features and Requirements:
- Monetization type – CPC, CPM-based model.
- Traffic requirement – None. (Unique and original content), Hard to get approved.
- Ad formats – Native ads, carousel ads, ad installs for apps and video clips.
- Minimum Payout – $50 minimum threshold.
- Payment methods – Bank transfer.
10. Clickadu
Clickadu stands out as a notably versatile and adaptable network, distinguishing it from many others featured on this list, hence its prominent position. This network offers an array of diverse ad formats, encompassing exclusive mobile ad formats and video pre-roll advertising, which remain absent on other CPM networks. Notably, there are no minimum traffic requirements in place, at least based on my last verification.
What truly sets Clickadu apart on this roster is its unique facet of being one of the few CPM networks accessible to everyone while not imposing restrictions on adult content. While they uphold the customary regulations against illegal products, hacks, and piracy, they abstain from specifying any prohibitions against adult content.
11. SmartyAds
SmartyAds SSP is a media selling network created for publishers seeking to optimize their revenue intelligently.
Title bid embedding tools across the environment (desktop, mobile or in-app) and high-volume private marketplace deals intensify competition for inventory and help increase publisher revenue.
It serves more than 2 billion impressions per day which leads to the highest eCPM, CTR and fill rates in all geographies, which are up to 100% high.
SmartyAds also offers a combination of desktop and mobile ad formats i.e. rewarded videos, interstitial ads, native ads, and banners.
The lightweight and latency-free IOS and Android SDK enables mediation that sends requests to a large number of ad networks and distribution service providers (DSPs).
Their partnerships with the most in-demand partners in the monetization geographies globally benefits publishers with highly targeted personalized ads with ease and makes them the best digital advertising platform.
- Model: CPM
- Minimum traffic: None
- Minimum Payout – $50 minimum threshold.
- Payment methods – PayPal and Wire transfer.
12. Infolinks
Infolinks is a popular ad network that can be a perfect fit for new and small blogging sites that haven’t gained enough traffic yet. They don’t have any traffic requirements and accept almost all kinds of websites.
Infolinks is a very user friendly platform with comprehensive reports and real time statistics. You can get started with Infolinks easily and they provide a wide range of ad formats that work well on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Traffic requirement – None.
- Monetization type – CPC, CPM-based model.
- Ad formats – In-fold, In-top, In-cube, In-article, In-frame, In-text-ads and shadow box.
- Minimum Payout – $50 minimum threshold.
- Payment methods – PayPal, eCheck, and Payoneer.
13. RevContent
RevContent also qualifies as a reputable CPM network. The eligibility criteria, however, appear to be a bit uncertain, as diverse requirements are cited across various forums and network reviews. Surprisingly, the network’s official website doesn’t provide specific stipulations. Some individuals claim to have been admitted with minimal existing traffic, while others assert a prerequisite of 3 million impressions monthly. The range of stipulations is quite remarkable, isn’t it?
Upon examining RevContent’s sign-up process, it seems they are accommodating of a wide spectrum of site traffic levels. The interface allows you to input your approximate traffic volume, offering an option for less than 1,000 hits. Yet, it remains unclear whether this pertains to daily or monthly figures.
My conjecture is that they potentially operate distinct tiers within their comprehensive program. While they consistently welcome high-tier sites, the availability for smaller ones might be more limited. It’s plausible that, in instances of purging underperforming, inactive, or canceled accounts, they might seek to replace them with other smaller sites.
14. Media.net
Media.net is a top ad network for small publishers who want to display ads on their websites that are driven by content context rather than audience data. In other words, in-content ads are tailored better for your site; It is not based on the shopping history of the user. However, you can also use automated display ads and native ad units to monetize your content to expand the ways in which you can earn money as a publisher.
Media.net ad formats include:
- Display ads
- Native ads
15. Magenet
Magenet has been around since 2007 and is one of the best contextual advertising platforms with over 87,000 publishers in its network.
Magenet ads are based on the content of your website and displayed as native ads, which makes them less intrusive to your visitors.
Magenet also offers a very generous revenue share for its publisher partners, which makes it one of the most attractive options for website owners looking to monetize their traffic.
To use Magenet Ads on your website, all you have to do is use their WordPress plugin if you have a website built into WordPress, or use the generic plugin for other platforms.
Once your site is connected to Magenet, it will display ads directly on your website according to your website category.
Magenet is a great option for website owners who are looking for an easy way to monetize their traffic without compromising on the user experience.
Features and Requirements:
- Minimum traffic requirement – None.
- Monetization type – In-demand ads according to your niche.
- Ad formats – Contextual ads.
- Minimum Payout – $60 minimum threshold.
- Payment methods – PayPal, Webmoney and USDT TRC20 (Tron Network).
16. TrafficStars
Traffic Stars is a self-serve advertising platform that supports multiple ad formats, including sliders, sliders, drop-down video, banners, and push notifications.
One of the unique things about this platform is its support for Real Time Bidding (RTB), where advertisers can bid on publishers’ ad slots in real time. True time bidding enables advertisers to maximize results and publishers to get more value from their ad space through competitive bidding.
- Models: CPM, CPA, and CPC
- Minimum traffic: None
- Payout methods: Bank transfer, cryptocurrency and others
17. TrafficForce
TrafficForce helps publishers and advertisers to maximize their ad revenue by offering different forms of online advertising. The ad network sells targeting website and mobile traffic on an impression basis.
Being a supply-side platform, the network helps publishers to reach over 100 demand-side partners. They follow vertical bidding or open RTB technology to handle traffic.
TrafficForce is known as among the best ad networks, offering ad formats such as display banners, Pop-under ads, IM floater and in-stream video ads.
- Model: CPM
- Minimum traffic: None
18. BidVertiser
Small publishers running new or niche websites may find BidVertiser’s ad network more attractive than other options. Founded in 2003 as a pay-per-click ad network, it has become the preferred modern ad network of more than 80,000 partners worldwide.
BidVertiser’s monetization model combines a wide range of ad formats, minimum payout thresholds, and a 100% transparent process between advertisers and publishers. Even better, it’s very quick to join and start using BidVertiser.
All a new publisher needs to do after creating their account is to submit their website details for review. BidVertiser’s automatic approval system checks that your site complies with our Terms of Services, then allows you to configure your ads right away.
The network features highly granular, cookie-based audience targeting that allows publishers to tailor ads to specific and precise audiences: age groups, geographic regions, site usage rates, and many other data found in visitor profiles.
In addition to the internal features, BidVertiser is also compatible with Google AdSense. Publishers with an AdSense account can use them together to take advantage of contextual advertising in the Google system as well as inclusive ad formats and layouts in BidVertiser.
19. ExoClick
ExoClick is one of the leading ad networks in the world. It enables publishers to monetize their traffic from each geo and earn money on a weekly or monthly basis. Publishers can see detailed statistics about the ads served on their sites in real time and know where to adjust to increase their revenue.
This network includes an RTB system suitable for publishers and advertisers alike. Supports many ad formats (banners, video, native, etc.) so publishers can monetize their entire inventory. There is also a tool that allows publishers to circumvent ad blocking software from their visitors and earn more revenue.
- Models: CPM, CPC, and CPV
- Minimum traffic: None
- Payout methods: Wire transfer, Paxum, and BitPay
20. Rich Ads
Rich Ads is a self-serve ad network that provides an easy-to-use platform for publishers to promote their content. With more than 20,000 publishers in more than 200 countries, Rich Ads has something for everyone.
They also have a wide range of ad types you can use to monetize your traffic. Rich Ads is a great option for small publishers who are looking for an AdSense alternative.
Features and Requirements:
- Traffic requirement – None.
- Monetization type – CPC, CPM based.
- Ad formats – Push ads, Direct click, Pop-under and In-page formats.
- Minimum Payout – $10 minimum threshold.
- Payment methods – PayPal, Capitalist, Webmoney ($50) and Wire Transfer ($500).
In Closing
The choice is vast when it comes to ad networks, and this means that every publisher can find their perfect solution. Publishers need to consider their requirements and then decide on an ad network or a variety of ad networks.
This list includes a solution for all types of publishers, whether they are small, large, or need simple services. The right ad network can help publishers to generate revenue from their sites efficiently. We advise them to try a few options before choosing the best ad network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best ad network for your website?
These choices monetize content differently. Prioritize CPMs while ensuring a good user experience. Ezoic is a versatile starting point, while Media.net and AdSense are options, though less streamlined.
Which Ad Network Pays the Best for Small Publishers?
Ezoic leads for small publishers, offering a 90% ad revenue share. Infolinks follows with 70%, while Google AdSense provides 68%. All three have no traffic minimums, ideal for low-traffic sites. Sign up via my Ezoic link for quick approval within 24-48 hours.
Which ad network pays the best?
Your site’s earnings rely on traffic and audience. U.S. visitors yield higher earnings. Certain networks like AdSense, Ezoic, and Media.net pay more than others.