Small publishers have a stronger presence in the digital content space. However, despite making significant contributions to the web, they lack financial resources.
The way to make money depends on your audience. You can use ad networks, affiliate programs, subscriptions, or others. Still, most publishers choose ad networks.
Whether you’re a small or big publisher, you have monetization options. When a page has valuable traffic, you can earn more from ads. I understand that small content creators are facing significant challenges as AI rapidly reduces traffic sources.
Still, you can use banner ads, native ads, video ads, and more. Plus, there are plenty of Google MCM partners with multiple bidding partners, but various factors will determine how much you make from ads. Adding more ads to your page can increase your revenue, but if you use too many, your site may not look as attractive.
Most websites prefer revenue-optimization services over a single ad server because of superior ad quality, support, and payment options. These are some of the best ad networks for small publishers that I’ve used during my blogging journey.
1. Google AdSense
AdSense remains the most popular way of monetizing small and medium-sized websites. AdSense is becoming more outdated every year. Since it is a single ad network, only Google provides the ads.
CPM rates are lower than those of other header bidding solutions. Still, many small publishers continue to use AdSense despite its limitations.
It can be a good first monetization practice for new publishers, especially those who are looking to start small. It works well in some cases, particularly if your traffic comes from the US, UK, Middle East, or Australia, but results can vary in other regions.
Google has shifted AdSense to a CPM revenue model, meaning you are paid based on ad impressions rather than clicks.
Most advertising networks typically require specific criteria, especially for website traffic. However, AdSense is one of the few ad networks that still accept publishers with no particular traffic requirements. So, what are the requirements for AdSense?
You need a decent website with original content. While Google AdSense accepts useful online tools, high-quality content remains the primary requirement.
Common reasons for AdSense rejection include low-quality content, poor website design, an irrelevant niche, and missing legal pages.
Important Facts About AdSense
- The stats dashboard is more insightful than most others.
- You have full control over AdSense and can make changes as you see fit, as there is no onboarding process.
- AdSense does not require publishers to meet specific traffic thresholds, which helps small publishers and ensures GA remains accessible.
- It’s hard to reach real customer support. What happens if you get banned and there’s no clear reason why?
- Compared to modern ad networks, AdSense lacks new features. While they try to keep up with new features like auto-ads.
- AdSense displays only Google Ads to visitors, while most other ad networks use header bidding and optimization strategies.
AdSense requires users to verify their ID or home address before making their first payout. The minimum threshold is 100 USD. There’s a small threshold, even for premium ad networks like Mediavine. The only payment method is bank transfer.
So, I think $100 is a high threshold for small publishers. It has additional drawbacks, so the cons outweigh the pros.
Even though GA accepts small publishers without a page-view limit, its payment threshold remains high. Consider another option if your site is decent.
Making money with AdSense is not easy. All ad networks slow down websites with third-party code, but AdSense is the worst. You can optimize the website by using better caching plugins or techniques, such as delaying JavaScript with FlyingPress.
2. Ezoic
Ezoic is a revenue optimization platform for small publishers. It is a Google-certified partner and collaborates with several header-bidding partners. I do not recommend Ezoic for high-quality, content-focused sites because its ads frequently disrupt site layouts. While Ezoic offers decent CPMs, it displays numerous ad slots on each page.
It is a beginner-friendly ad network that accepts creators without pageview limits. However, it may not be the preferred option for publishers who prioritize user experience. You can use Ezoic as a Raptive alternative, but it doesn’t work that well.
Publisher Requirements & Payments:
Ezoic reaches publishers in two ways.
- Access Now: Designed for small publishers with less than 10,000 visitors.
- Levels program: This strategy targets publishers with over 10,000 monthly visitors and comprises five levels based on traffic volume.
Ezoic issues payments to publishers every 30 days. Payoneer and PayPal are available payment methods, with a minimum payout of $20.
Unlike other ad networks, Ezoic does not target specific niches. However, you must still comply with all guidelines. They have clear rules about where website traffic comes from. If a site gets too much suspicious traffic, it will be suspended.
Ezoic is an AdSense partner, so publishers can connect AdSense to Ezoic. Offer handy features and data analysis, but the rest is unnecessary.
I’m not thrilled with Ezoic because it shows many ads and has glitchy tools, but it’s one of the best CPM ad networks for small publishers.
3. Journey by Mediavine
Mediavine has launched Journey, a new ad management platform for sites with at least 10,000 monthly sessions. It is a separate ad network, specifically designed for smaller creators, is self-service, and operates within Mediavine.
Undoubtedly, Mediavine is one of the best ad management platforms. They offer reputable brands with highly competitive CPM rates. When a blog uses Mediavine Journey, the ads load as with Mediavine and display its logo. Here’s a sample ad:
To get started with Journey, you need to install Grow by Mediavine and run it for at least 30 days. They’ll let you know if your site is ready for monetization.
See, it is a new experience, so I can’t promise too much about it, but here are a few facts that might give you a better idea:
- You will have fewer controls and limited choices regarding ad placement.
- They accept websites in languages other than English, but only in specific languages. It takes thirty days for your website to be approved.
- Publishers receive a 70 percent revenue share and are paid on a 65-day cycle, similar to Mediavine. With a minimum threshold of $100, you can choose from various payment methods, including PayPal and wire transfer.
Mediavine is an influential ad network, and I assume Journey will continue to improve as it becomes the best CPM ad network for small publishers. They are effective, but you will not have as much control as you would with AdSense or Ezoic.
4. Media.Net
Media.net is a decent ad network for publishers of all sizes. It is the second most prominent single ad server after AdSense. Media.net is most effective for premium content publishers targeting English-speaking audiences. Media.net monetizes websites through header bidding and one-tag monetization. Delivers quality display ads in top spots to help you reach more people and boost your click-through rates.
Requirements and Payments:
Publishers require at least 10,000 monthly visits from high-quality traffic in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking regions.
Media.net prioritizes publisher quality and partners only with reputable publishers who receive traffic from reliable sources. The approval process can be strict if you get traffic only from Asia. Media.net does not specify traffic criteria, but your site must meet the standards. Do not use another ad network during the application process.
For high-quality traffic, Media.net offers competitive CPM rates. Media.net pays on net-30 terms with a $100 minimum. US users can get paid by bank transfer, while users in other countries can use Payoneer.
It’s an invitation-only ad network; you must undergo an approval process. Once you submit your application, they will let you know whether you are accepted and share the next steps. Media.net doesn’t like crap content or low-quality traffic sources.
It is one of the most effective ad networks for monetizing blogs. Many publishers, whether big or small, use Media.net as an ad network for their websites.
5. Monumetric
Monumetric helps publishers of all sizes manage their ads. It offers higher CPMs than AdSense and rates comparable to those of Setupad, Raptive, and similar platforms.
I included Monumetric on this list because they accept sites with over 10,000 monthly visitors. However, there are a few limitations.
For publishers, Monumetric offers four tiers:
- Propel: 10,000–80,000 page views qualify for this program. Setup costs $99.
- Ascend: It has all the tools you need to monetize effectively. It works with websites that have between 80,000 and 500,000 monthly page views.
- Stratos: Designed for established websites with monthly page views between 500,000 and 10 million. Publishers benefit from additional features, such as a dedicated Ad Operations team and access to premium advertisers.
- Apollo: Intended for enterprise publishers with more than 10 million monthly page views and includes the full range of Monumetric monetization services.
Monumetric in a Nutshell
- Monu accepts publishers with over 10,000 PV but requires that most web traffic originate from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other top-tier nations. Mainly accept websites with English-language content.
- The Propel program requires your website to be on WordPress or Blogger, include a 300px sidebar, and have at least 6 ad slots.
- Your site requires approval from a major ad network, and a $99 setup fee applies.
- It has a 65-day payment schedule, and PayPal’s minimum threshold is $10 USD.
- You need to consult your rep before making any changes to ad slots.
- The onboarding process could be improved because it relies too much on manual setup and video calls, and it takes a long time to optimize.
Monumetric is an acceptable monetization option for small publishers with over 10K page visits. But the $99 setup fee is the most significant and unusual downside.
6. FatChilli
FatChilli is a programmatic ad network and a certified Google MCM partner. Allows content creators to fetch ads from GAM 360, even if they are small publishers.
Google Ad Manager 360 is intended for large publishers and is inaccessible to small sites. Probably not an attractive option for small publishers looking for CPM ad networks. But it provides a comprehensive programmatic monetization with features such as header bidding, price floors, revenue waterfalls, and custom ad types.
FatchilliMedia has banners, native texts, videos, and more ad formats. They use lazy loading to prevent website speed issues, but ads still slow down your site. For this reason, ads will load faster if you use a good hosting service with any ad network.
I tried FatChilli for a few months and saw some decent results. Honestly, it was less profitable for me than platforms like Mediavine, Raptive, Monu, or Ezoic. However, FatChilli did give me a higher CPM than AdSense.
Requirements:
It’s a programmatic monetization solution and a certified advertiser partner, so you need a website with well-crafted content or a useful online tool.
Ensure that your website aligns with Google’s content rules and advertiser guidelines. Once you complete the application, they will inform you to start the procedure.
Payments:
- NET30 is FatChilli’s payment policy.
- The minimum payment amount is $100. If this amount is not met, it will be deferred to the next month (bank transfers and PayPal).
From what I’ve seen, FatChilli’s average CPMs are lower than competitors’. Still, you can regain control of their ad revenue and optimize their long-term revenue strategy. It is a Google AdX partner, so if you want to try out an AdX experience, you can use it.
7. SHE Media
SHE Media is an ad management platform designed for women-centered content creators, helping them monetize their content and increase its visibility.
They’re a strategic ad operations company with multiple suppliers. Besides handling ads, they offer tips for expanding your reach. With their direct advertising and header bidding, they offer high CPM rates and are a Google-certified publishing partner.
But I prefer not to use ad networks that offer multiple services. Along with display ads, they also provide video, auto, and content recommendations.
How do you get approval?
- You need at least 20,000 page views per month and a high percentage of US traffic, which is a significant requirement for small publishers.
- High-quality content for women’s target audiences or lifestyle niches.
- Except for affiliate links, publishers may not use any ad networks.
- The website should be at least 90 days old and have a strong Google track record.
The platform is well-suited for medium-sized women’s content publishers with over 20,000 page views. SHE Media conducts a thorough onboarding process and reviews each application individually. They handle most tasks manually; the support team sets it up, and you need to speak to them if you want to modify the ad placements.
Agreement and payments:
The big downside of SHE Media’s ad platform is that publishers have to sign a contract for a full year. If you want to leave, you need to give 60 days’ notice.
Payments are made two months after the end of the month when you earn revenue. For example, if you earn revenue in January, you will receive payment in March. U.S. publishers are usually paid by direct deposit, while non-U.S. publishers use PayPal.
SHE Media is a strong ad optimization service for bloggers, but with a 20,000 page view minimum, it may not be suitable for very small publishers. Particularly recommended for women, it is a solid platform with rich experience from an expert.
8. CarbonAds
If you manage a website or tool focused on web design, development, or technology and want to avoid disruptive ads, CarbonAds offers an effective solution. It ensures your readers see only one ad per page, as CarbonAds limits ad frequency. Websites such as JS.org, KeyCDN, and Coding use CarbonAds to monetize their sites.
Most of Carbon’s clients are tech brands, including web hosts, devs, online platforms, and software firms. It isn’t ideal for anyone seeking a reasonable income.
CPM rates typically average below $2, depending on audience and ad demand. Rates are higher when most traffic comes from English-speaking countries.
Criteria and Payment Info:
CarbonAds is invite-only, and several factors are considered when reviewing your application. I know some of these factors, but there may be others.
- CarbonAds does not list exact traffic requirements, but you should have at least 10,000 monthly views. For small publishers, this is a solid target.
- Publishers need a website or tool valuable to advertisers, such as one focused on design, programming, or open-source projects.
- Ensure your site, app, or tool is written in English and regularly updated.
- You are not allowed to use other ad networks, but you can include affiliate links.
It’s simple: when there are fewer ad impressions, revenue goes down.
BuySellAds is the parent company of CarbonAds. So, you’ll get the previous month’s ad revenue by the 15th of each month for the BuySellAds account.
Minimum payout amounts vary by method. PayPal requires a minimum balance of $20, while wire transfers require a minimum of $500.
CarbonAds is ideal for developers to earn extra revenue with user-friendly ads. They have high-quality ad designs that don’t slow the page. If you use a CDN with any ad network, you can mitigate issues such as excessive external load.
However, you will not earn a decent income. Only one ad is displayed per post, so you will receive a lower rate. Carbon can still be one of the finer ad networks for small and independent publishers. The website needs quality content or proper online tools.
In Summary
I share my thoughts on reliable ad networks for small publishers. A lot of blog posts talk about this, but most are sponsored and don’t offer advice from real experience.
As of 2026, blogging and monetization have declined compared to the previous decade, and it is vital to realize that future prospects may continue to diminish.
Honestly, banner ads aren’t a good monetizing technique, even for small publishers. They aren’t optimal for the user experience; they can ruin it.
Monetization isn’t limited to ads; you can also try other strategies. For established publishers, affiliate marketing, podcasts, and consulting services are typically more profitable than ad networks. Ad monetization is familiar to publishers, and some platforms are adopting new technology to increase revenue opportunities.
Read More: Copying text from restricted websites | FlyingCDN
