After extensive research, I have compiled a list of Google MCM partners. This list includes platforms known as Google MCM, AdX, or Certified Publishing Partners, many of which I have used over the years. Multiple Customer Management (MCM) encompasses Open Bidding, Ad Manager, and GAM 360.
There are two levels of Google publishing partners:
- Certified Publishing Partners
- Premier Certified Publishing Partners.
All partners must complete a qualification process to become certified partners and stay current by reviewing Google’s latest ad services.
The post only includes certified partners eligible for access to Google ad inventory. Several ad networks offer solid features, but not all are Google’s official partners. Still, they can be ideal alternatives for monetizing sites/blogs and apps. So, let’s review the leading Google MCM partners and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
1. Raptive
You’ve probably been aware of AdThrive, as it was a famous ad management service and a premier licensed Google Ad Manager Partner. The same company represented both CafeMedia and AdThrive. Both brands now operate under the name Raptive.
Although they added some new perks, the operation remained the same. According to Raptive’s website, over 3,500 content creators use the platform.
If you receive traffic from the US, UK, and other top regions, you may earn CPM rates up to $30. Raptive typically offers the highest CPM rates in ad monetization.
Overall, they are ideal for bloggers who create long-form content and provide smart ad loading, including both lazy and in-line. Ad types include video ads, for example:
How Can Publishers Join Raptive?
Raptive has updated its page view requirement. Publishers now need at least 25,000 monthly page views, rather than the previous 100,000, to qualify. They still demand high-quality content that engages both the audience and advertisers. Most of your traffic should originate from the USA, UK, EU, Australia, or New Zealand.
Only a few publishers are accepted into Raptive, and some claim they were rejected despite having high-traffic websites.
Payouts: Raptive payouts follow a Net 45 schedule. The minimum payment threshold is $25, except for wire transfers. Wire, Payoneer, Wise, and eCheck are supported.
Raptive is popular among bloggers who want to monetize their sites through a certified Google AdX company. IMO, they suit lifestyle blogs that want the right balance of ads and user experience, with premium ads and decent RPM rates.
Raptive Facts:
- A strict approval process.
- Industry-leading CPM rates.
- Pay on time with flexible payment options.
- Analytics will help you accurately calculate ad revenue.
- Google Premier publishing partner, plus other premium ad exchanges.
2. Mediavine
Mediavine is a good Raptive Alternative for content creators and one of the best on Google’s MCM partners list. Lifestyle sites in tourism, fashion, habits, food, online marketing, and similar niches can be profitable with Mediavine. More than 12000 sites, including NichePursuits, currently use Mediavine to monetize their content.
I like Mediavine because it’s similar to Raptive, offers decent RPM rates with premium ad partners who bid competitively, and is recognized as a top Google MCM partners.
Mediavine uses the latest ad tech, but its ads show a logo with a particular space around it. There’s no doubt you spend a lot of time getting traffic. But advertisers don’t think about your interests. They’re trying to get your readers’ attention.
Mediavine Requirements: Publishers must generate at least 5,000 USD in annual income from a reputable ad network, maintain a strong track record with Google AdSense, and provide compelling long-form content relevant to ad partners.
They are a Premier Google MCM Partner, so their regulations are strict. No matter how popular your site is, Mediavine will not approve it unless it has quality content.
You’ll get paid on Net65 terms with Mediavine, and payment methods include PayPal, ACH, and wire transfers. For PayPal, the minimum threshold is $100.
Mediavine Facts:
- Partner with reputable companies.
- Modern ad tech to maximize revenue.
- Several payment options with a reasonable threshold.
- It takes time to go through a rigorous approval process.
- Jam-packed with features (blogging and SEO guidance).
- Ad revenue and CPM are impressive compared to other networks.
3. Ezoic
Among the ad revenue optimization platforms on this list, Ezoic is likely the most popular and is a certified Google MCM partner.
Over 20,000 websites have chosen Ezoic as their monetization method. However, I don’t like Ezoic because it contains overkill features and too many ad locations.
Ezoic is no longer an ad network platform for small publishers, as it has updated its requirements. Sites now generally need at least 250,000 monthly active users to join.
Ad Management:
Ezoic offers higher earnings than AdSense and has header bidding partners, but the downside is that they display many ads. It results in a poor user experience, and ads display the logo. Visit a website that uses Ezoic to see what I indicate.
I appreciate Ezoic’s big data analytics as one of the most useful tools among Google MCM members. However, the Flickify app is buggy, as it converts articles into videos and displays ads, which can deter readers. And Ezoic CDN offers decent TTFB, but its Leap is messy, making it easy for users to make mistakes.
Ezoic has a 30-day pay schedule (you get paid in July for June’s revenue). PayPal and Payoneer are the available payment options; the minimum payout is $20.
Ezoic Facts:
- Plenty of unnecessary features.
- A minimum payout with multiple payment options.
- A powerful tool for data analysis (big data analytics).
- Ads can disrupt your user experience and compromise your website’s layout.
- Websites typically require at least 250,000 monthly visitors to qualify for Ezoic.
4. PubGalaxy
Google recently listed PubGalaxy as a Google-certified MCM partner. It’s similar to other ad platforms in its targeted optimization. PubGalaxy includes rate optimization and A/B testing, including demand stacks and target regions. PubGalaxy helps most blogs get better ad layouts. It partners with more than 25 ad exchanges and SSPs, including Sonobi, OpenX technologies, and other top header bidding marketplaces.
According to the reviews, customer service is reliable, and you can get a personal account manager. They can boost the demand for high-quality ads with modern ad tech. Sites like Scrabble-Solver and Wccftech use PubGalaxy for monetization.
Joining PubGalaxy: To join PubGalaxy, your site must have at least 100,000 monthly page views and feature original human-created content suitable for all audiences. You need to prove consistent traffic growth over the past six months.
PubGalaxy issues payouts on a net 65-day cycle via wire transfer. But there aren’t any other payout options, such as PayPal.
PubGalaxy Facts:
- A long payout schedule with limited options.
- Optimized ad layouts to minimize interruptions.
- Demand platform implementation and A/B testing.
- Modern ad technology and auction management methods.
- You can’t submit a website with fewer than 100k page views.
5. Setupad
Setupad helps publishers increase their ad revenue through programmatic ads and is now a certified Google MCM Partner.
I recommend Setupad to large and medium sites as a complete monetization tool. However, its technology is less refined than that of Playwire, Mediavine, and others.
But you can easily try out different ad formats and sizes without extra steps. Many popular websites, such as Ezgif and ASCII-code, use SetupAd to monetize.
Payouts: Payments are issued 60 days after setup, in either EUR or USD, once your balance reaches €100. Accepted payment methods include Wire, Payoneer, Wise, Revolut, and Paysera. Your first payment may be delayed because SetupAd aggregates earnings from several SSPs rather than a single source.
Setupad works well for websites with medium or high traffic. It may not be the most innovative option, but it gets the job done. Other Google MCM partners, including Raptive and Ezoic, may offer more innovative solutions than SetupAd.
Still, you can use this platform as a self-serve solution to manage direct SSPs in prebid and to integrate with Google Ad Manager, AdX, or AdSense.
Setupad Facts:
- Multiple payout options.
- View real-time bidding activity in detail.
- Your site needs at least 100K monthly visitors.
- Customization options with Setupad Self-Serve.
- It’s a certified partner of Google, IAB, and Prebid.
- Ad serving and CPM rates aren’t as good as Raptive, Mediavine, etc.
6. Playwire
Playwire is another MCM partner provider that helps publishers grow ad revenue, mainly targeting entertainment and gaming content creators. They offer a video player that can help raise CPMs, but it might also distract visitors.
In addition to Google AdX (GAM), Playwire has several header-bidding partners to improve revenue through banner, video, and native ads at competitive CPMs.
Playwire offers various revenue-share models: publishers receive 50% of direct ad revenue and 70% of indirect revenue. They are paid 60 days after the end of the month; all payouts are in USD, and the minimum payout is $100.
Eligibility Criteria: The website should receive at least 50,000 monthly page views from top countries and maintain a strong niche that appeals to advertisers.
It is a certified Google MCM partner; your website should not be penalized. Sites with significant traffic from the UK, the US, the EU, or other top regions will be considered.
Playwire monetizes websites like Raider, GTPlanet, and Manta. The ad safety feature protects your brand from unsafe ads. Indeed, it is a reliable advertising platform and an authorized Google partner for content creators with medium to large audiences.
The platform works well for sites like gaming, entertainment, and lifestyle. They give you access to the newest ad features, but you need to meet certain requirements.
Playwire Facts:
- GDPR and CCPA compliance tools.
- You must have at least 50K monthly visitors.
- Premium demand through global direct sales.
- Sticky and video ads can degrade the user experience.
- Set your desired brand safety and ad quality providers.
- You have access to modern revenue and analytical data.
7. Publift
Publift is a premier partner on the Google certified publishing partner list, recognized for meeting Google’s highest standards for technical expertise and consistent revenue performance. I haven’t tried Publift, but I’ve heard both good and bad things.
Like AdPushup, the service provides full ad management that is not compatible with other platforms. Publishers are assigned a representative and need to sign a contract, but you can leave at any time. And Publift has header bidding partners, including AppNexus, TripleLift, Nobid, and others. They also offer video monetization. Websites like Studyrankers and Ozbargain use Publift to manage their ads.
What are Publift’s requirements?
Publift chooses publishers in two ways:
Publift accepts global traffic but requires applicants to have at least $2,000 in revenue or over 500,000 page views in the past 30 days.
I think these requirements are higher than those of many Google MCM partners, who often have more flexible criteria and deliver better performance.
Getting accepted usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Publift pays publishers after 30 days if they make $100 or more (bank transfer is the only withdrawal method).
Publift offers a simple integration process using a single code snippet that maximizes your site’s ad revenue. Implement header bidding with premium demand partners.
Publift Facts:
- More than 40 demand partners.
- CPMs are lower than those of its competitors.
- Automatically control header bidding auctions.
- Ad optimization focuses on user experience and speed.
- Ensuring brand safety through consultants and A/B testing.
- Small or medium sites cannot use Publift due to its entry criteria.
8. Clickio
Clickio is a UK-based Google MCM partner and targets publishers in the UK, US, and EU. They offer various ads, sizes, and pricing options. Ad layouts vary by connection speed: a slow connection displays fewer ads, while a fast connection shows more.
Clickio offers useful features that can boost your revenue while still providing a good user experience. Analytics enable you to track your website’s progress, revenue, and user behavior across devices, systems, and locations, providing detailed insights.
Requirements: To join Clickio, publishers can use their previous ad revenue or traffic data. If your website makes more than $500 a month from trusted ad networks, you can qualify. Clickio also notes that traffic requirements vary by country.
In this case, they’ll accept quality sites from Europe, North America, and A-list countries with over 100K PV. For other publishers, it’s more than 300K MPV.
Payments: Clickio pays publishers every 60 days. For example, payment for February will be issued at the end of April. Payment thresholds are $100 for wire and PayPal.
I like Clickio’s features, but I don’t like its limitations; there are better alternatives for US, UK, and European publishers. It feels outdated compared to modern solutions.
Clickio Facts:
- More than 50 header bidding partners.
- There are numerous criteria and ad serving rules.
- Place one tag, and ads appear in the right places.
- RPM rates can be lower than those of other top MCM partners.
- Ads will stop after 3 months if you do not generate $500 in monthly revenue.
- Users can connect their AdSense account and continue receiving payments.
9. Adnimation
Adnimation is a certified MCM partner offering publishers monetizing options for websites, mobile apps, or OTT services. Adnimation header bidding partners include Outbrain, GumGum, etc. Here’s an Adnimation ad example:
They are certified Google MCM partners and offer two ways for publishers to join:
- Monetization Accelerator Program.
- Adnimation’s fully managed monetization.
Fully Managed Monetization:
This program provides publishers with complete monetization options, including native, video, and display ads, as well as advanced header bidding.
It targets medium to large publishers and provides personalized support. Eligible publishers must have at least 100,000 monthly page views.
Publishers receive payments directly to their bank accounts on net 35-day terms, which means payment is made 35 days after the end of each month. However, the minimum payment threshold is set at $400, which is high for many publishers.
It can feel uncertain since small publishers might stop before reaching the payout threshold. Even on premium ad platforms like Mediavine, the minimum is $100.
Monetization Accelerator Program:
MAP monetization is made for small and medium publishers who want to stay in control and choose how they work. The process is quick if you have a decent website but lack enough traffic to join a full-stack ad management service.
You can choose ad units and add the codes. MAP publishers need to set up this process themselves, which is the main difference from their full-stack solutions.
Adnimation Facts:
- Hybrid header bidding.
- Limited support for MAP monetization.
- Less focus on modern advertising tech.
- They keep it simple and focus on monetization.
- Publishers can join without requiring page views.
- High minimum threshold and no multiple payout options.
Looking Ahead
I have listed several recognized Google MCM partners; however, you are not limited to certified partners. Google lists over 80 certified publishing partners, but the service is also available to additional Google AdX members, even if they are not included on the official Google page. And here is a summary of the remaining MCM partners:
- SHE Media: A female-focused ad management service for quality publishers with more than 25,000 page views.
- AdPushup: A premium monetization solution for large publishers includes header bidding, video ads, A/B testing, dynamic ads, and AI-driven features.
- Freestar: Premium Google MCM partner for enterprise publishers who receive 1M monthly pageviews. You receive real-time reporting and streamlined payments that provide a clear, accurate view of your revenue performance.
- Next Millennium: Leading full-stack monetization firm serving enterprise-level publishers. NextMill handles every part of ad management, using A/B testing, bidder optimization, and dynamic pricing to deliver the best results.
- Waytogrow: European-based ad tech company, a Google Certified Publishing Partner, and implements client-side header bidding.
- Newor Media: Certified ad exchange partner for publishers of all sizes. A good monetization option with straightforward ad management and no nonsense.
There are many Google AdX resellers, as well as numerous other ad networks. Although this article cannot cover every option, I hope these recommendations help you maximize your revenue.
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