The Best Platforms to Monetize Your Blog
A guide to the main ways bloggers earn from their traffic, covering display ad networks, native ads, affiliate networks, automated affiliate links and direct ad sales.
In this article
It has never been easier to earn money online, and a blog is one of the most popular ways to do it. Once you attract a steady audience, you can start earning from that traffic.
"Website monetization" simply means making money from your website. Bloggers and online publishers use several methods, and one of the easiest is to work with a monetization platform: an ad network, an affiliate network or a tool that does some of the work for you. Whatever your niche, there's a platform that fits. Here are some of the best-known options, grouped by how they pay.
Before you apply anywhere, check each platform's current eligibility rules, revenue share and payment terms, as these change regularly.
Display and contextual ad networks
These networks place ads on your pages and pay you based on impressions or clicks. They're the most hands-off way to earn from traffic.
Google AdSense
Launched in 2003, Google AdSense is the best-known advertising programme for bloggers and content creators. You add a code snippet to your site and Google fills your ad spaces with ads relevant to your content and visitors, including on mobile.
You can review the ads that appear, block categories you don't want and choose formats that suit your layout. Because AdSense draws on Google's huge pool of advertisers, it can fill your ad space reliably. It's free to join and easy to use, though your site must meet Google's content and policy requirements to be approved. If your site gets regular traffic, AdSense is a natural first step.
Media.net
Media.net is one of the best-known alternatives to AdSense. It is behind the contextual ads of the Yahoo and Bing network, so its ads are driven by keywords relevant to your page content, which makes them well targeted. It also offers display and native ad formats and header bidding technology that lets multiple ad buyers compete for your inventory.
Infolinks
Infolinks specialises in ad units that fit around your existing layout, such as in-text and in-frame ads, using contextual and intent-based targeting based on your content's keywords. It's known for being easy to sign up for, which makes it popular with smaller publishers, and it can run alongside other networks.
BuySellAds
BuySellAds focuses on respectful, brand-safe advertising rather than distracting ads. It offers display ads, native ads, sponsored content and email sponsorships, and it connects publishers directly with marketers. Be aware that it is selective: it reviews sites for quality and expects a substantial level of monthly traffic.
Premium ad management partners
Once your traffic grows, an ad management partner can often earn you more than a single network. These companies run auctions across many demand sources, optimise ad placement and handle the technical work for you.
Monumetric
Monumetric is an ad management partner that combines ad technology, premium demand and a dedicated team to make publishing more profitable. It constantly tests its ad setups to get you the best bids, provides a custom dashboard with reports and metrics, and pays on a CPM (per thousand impressions) basis rather than per click. It has minimum traffic requirements, and smaller sites may face a setup fee.
SHE Media
SHE Media works with creators and bloggers whose sites are aimed at a female audience. It offers ad management and partnership opportunities for publishers in that space.
Native and content recommendation ads
Taboola
Taboola powers the "recommended for you" content widgets seen on many major news sites. It recommends content tailored to your readers' preferences, which can increase engagement while earning you revenue. It works best for sites with significant traffic.
RevContent
RevContent is a native content recommendation network that emphasises quality over quantity. For publishers it offers lightweight, fast-loading widgets, granular brand safety controls and a small page footprint. Advertisers get reporting, a stats API and targeting tools.
Affiliate networks
Affiliate marketing pays you a commission when a reader buys something through your link. It can earn more per visitor than display ads, especially for product reviews and buying guides.
Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is one of the largest and easiest affiliate programmes to join. Because Amazon is so popular and trusted, links to its products tend to be relevant to readers and convert well. You can promote millions of products using Amazon's linking tools and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Commission rates vary by product category, so check the current rates for the categories you write about.
CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) is one of the world's largest affiliate networks, connecting publishers with many well-known brands. You apply as a publisher, then apply to individual advertiser programmes within the network. Partnering with recognised brands can mean higher commissions and products your readers already trust.
Automated affiliate link tools
If you mention lots of products, these tools save you from managing dozens of individual affiliate programmes.
Skimlinks
Skimlinks automatically turns ordinary product links in your commerce content into affiliate links, so you earn when readers buy. It works with a very large number of merchants, and some offer special commission rates to Skimlinks publishers. Automating affiliation lets you focus on writing rather than managing links. Signing up is free.
Sovrn Commerce
Sovrn Commerce works in a similar way, converting your product links into affiliate links automatically. Its insights show which products earn you the most, and it lets merchants compete for your traffic, so you can focus on content rather than the affiliate admin.
Self-serve ad networks: a word of caution
You'll also come across many smaller self-serve networks offering popunders, push notifications, "anti-adblock" ads and similar formats. Some publishers use them, but these formats can annoy readers, slow your site and damage your reputation. Many reputable ad partners and premium networks also won't work with sites that run aggressive formats. If you're building a long-term blog, prioritise a good reader experience over squeezing out a few extra cents per visitor.
How to choose the right platform
- Start simple. If you're new, Google AdSense plus one affiliate programme relevant to your niche, such as Amazon Associates, is an easy, low-risk start.
- Match the model to your content. Product reviews and tutorials suit affiliate links; news, entertainment and general interest content earns more from display and native ads.
- Graduate as you grow. Once traffic increases, look at ad management partners like Monumetric or SHE Media, and affiliate tools like Skimlinks or Sovrn Commerce.
- Protect the reader experience. Too many ads drive visitors away. A fast, readable site keeps people coming back, which is what ultimately makes a blog profitable.
- Read the terms. Check minimum traffic requirements, payment thresholds, payment methods and content policies before you apply.
Monetization platforms let you turn a loyal audience into income, but the audience comes first. Focus on content people want to read, then choose the platforms that fit your niche and traffic.
