Introduction: The Many Ways to Earn Money from a Website
If you have a website, you have the potential to earn money from it. But many website owners do not realize how many different ways there are to monetize a website. Most people only know about Google AdSense — but that is just one of dozens of options.
This guide covers every major type of monetization network available to website owners today. By the end, you will have a complete picture of all your options and be able to choose the combination that works best for your website and your goals.
This guide assumes you know nothing about website monetization. Every term is explained when it is first used. Every concept is broken down into simple language.
Understanding the Basics: How Websites Earn Money from Ads
Before we look at specific networks, let us understand the basic mechanics of how website advertising works.
When you join an advertising network, you become a "publisher." This means you publish content on your website, and advertisers pay to show their ads to your visitors.
The advertising network acts as the middleman. It connects you with advertisers, handles all the technical details of displaying ads, collects the money from advertisers, and pays you your share.
Your earnings depend on several factors:
- Traffic volume: More visitors generally means more earnings.
- Traffic quality: Visitors from the United States, Canada, UK, and Australia typically generate higher ad revenue than visitors from other countries.
- Content topic: Some topics attract higher-paying advertisers. Finance, insurance, legal, and health topics typically have the highest ad rates.
- Ad placement: Ads placed where visitors are most likely to see them earn more.
- Network quality: Premium networks with high-quality advertisers pay more than basic networks.
Category 1: Display Advertising Networks
Display advertising is the most common form of website monetization. These networks show visual banner ads — images, animations, or videos — in designated spaces on your website.
Premium Display Networks (Highest Earnings)
Mediavine
Mediavine is widely considered the gold standard for content publishers. It pays significantly more than most other networks and provides excellent support.
- Minimum traffic: 50,000 sessions per month
- Typical RPM: $15–$30+ per 1,000 visitors
- Revenue share: 75% to publishers
- Best for: Food, lifestyle, parenting, travel, home content
- Website: mediavine.com
Raptive (formerly AdThrive)
Raptive is another top-tier premium network with very high RPMs.
- Minimum traffic: 100,000 page views per month
- Typical RPM: $15–$40+ per 1,000 visitors
- Revenue share: 75% to publishers
- Website: raptive.com
Mid-Tier Display Networks
Ezoic
Ezoic uses AI to optimize ad placement and accepts websites of all sizes. It is the best starting point for new websites.
- Minimum traffic: None
- Typical RPM: $5–$20 per 1,000 visitors
- Website: ezoic.com
Monumetric
- Minimum traffic: 10,000 page views per month
- Typical RPM: $5–$15 per 1,000 visitors
- Website: monumetric.com
SHE Media
SHE Media focuses on female-oriented content but accepts a wide range of publishers.
- Minimum traffic: 20,000 page views per month
- Typical RPM: $8–$20 per 1,000 visitors
- Website: shemedia.com/for-publishers
Entry-Level Display Networks (Any Traffic)
Propeller Ads
- Minimum traffic: None
- Typical RPM: $1–$5
- Website: propellerads.com
Adsterra
- Minimum traffic: None
- Typical RPM: $1–$5
- Website: adsterra.com
Infolinks
- Minimum traffic: None
- Typical RPM: $1–$3
- Website: infolinks.com
Category 2: Native Advertising Networks
Native ads are designed to look like regular content on your website. They blend in with your articles and posts, which means visitors are more likely to click on them. This can result in higher earnings than traditional display ads.
Taboola
Taboola is one of the largest native advertising networks in the world. You have seen their ads on major news websites — they appear as "Recommended Content" or "You May Also Like" sections at the bottom of articles.
- Minimum traffic: 500,000 page views per month (for direct partnership); lower traffic sites can use Taboola through resellers
- Typical RPM: $2–$10
- Website: taboola.com/publishers
Outbrain
Outbrain is similar to Taboola and is used by many major publishers including CNN and The Guardian.
- Minimum traffic: 10 million page views per month for direct partnership; smaller sites can use Outbrain through partner networks
- Website: outbrain.com/publishers
MGID
MGID is a native advertising network that accepts smaller publishers than Taboola or Outbrain.
- Minimum traffic: 60,000 unique visitors per month
- Typical RPM: $2–$8
- Website: mgid.com/publishers
Category 3: Video Advertising Networks
If your website includes video content, video advertising networks can generate significantly higher earnings than display ads. Video ads typically pay 3–10x more than banner ads.
YouTube Partner Program
If you create video content, YouTube is the largest and most accessible video monetization platform.
- Requirements: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
- Typical RPM: $2–$15 per 1,000 views (varies widely by content type)
- Website: youtube.com/creators
Rumble
Rumble is a growing video platform that offers revenue sharing to content creators. It is a good alternative or supplement to YouTube.
- Requirements: None (open to all creators)
- Website: rumble.com/upload
Dailymotion
Dailymotion is one of the largest video platforms after YouTube and offers a monetization program for content creators.
- Requirements: Must apply and be approved
- Website: dailymotion.com/partner
Category 4: Push Notification Networks
Push notification networks allow you to earn money by sending advertising notifications to visitors who have opted in to receive them. When a visitor agrees to receive notifications from your website, you can earn money by sending them sponsored notifications.
iZooto
- Minimum traffic: 5,000 monthly visitors
- Typical RPM: $3–$8
- Website: izooto.com
PushEngage
- Minimum traffic: None
- Website: pushengage.com
Category 5: Affiliate Marketing Networks
Affiliate marketing is one of the most profitable ways to monetize a website. Instead of earning a small amount for each ad view or click, you earn a commission — often $10–$100 or more — each time a visitor makes a purchase through your link.
The key advantage of affiliate marketing is that the earning potential is much higher than display advertising. A single affiliate sale can earn more than thousands of ad impressions.
Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is the largest affiliate program in the world. You can earn commissions on almost any product sold on Amazon.
- Commission rate: 1%–10% depending on product category
- Cookie duration: 24 hours
- Website: affiliate-program.amazon.com
ShareASale
ShareASale is a large affiliate network with thousands of merchants across many categories.
- Commission rate: Varies by merchant (typically 5%–30%)
- Website: shareasale.com
ClickBank
ClickBank specializes in digital products and often offers very high commission rates.
- Commission rate: 10%–75% (very high for digital products)
- Website: clickbank.com
CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
CJ Affiliate is one of the oldest and largest affiliate networks with many well-known brands.
- Commission rate: Varies by merchant
- Website: cj.com
Category 6: Sponsored Content and Influencer Networks
Sponsored content involves brands paying you to write articles, reviews, or posts about their products or services. This can be very lucrative for established websites with engaged audiences.
Cooperatize
- Minimum traffic: 5,000 monthly visitors
- Typical earnings: $50–$500 per sponsored post
- Website: cooperatize.com
Izea
- Minimum traffic: None stated
- Website: izea.com
Category 7: Direct Advertising
Once your website has significant traffic, you can sell advertising space directly to businesses — without going through an ad network. This eliminates the middleman and allows you to keep 100% of the advertising revenue.
Direct advertising typically pays 2–5x more than network advertising because you are not sharing revenue with the network. However, it requires more work to find and manage advertisers.
To attract direct advertisers:
- Create an "Advertise With Us" page on your website
- List your traffic statistics, audience demographics, and advertising options
- Set your rates based on your traffic and audience
- Reach out directly to companies in your niche
Category 8: Membership and Subscription Models
Instead of relying on advertising, some website owners earn money by charging visitors for access to premium content or features.
Patreon
Patreon allows your most dedicated fans to support you with a monthly subscription in exchange for exclusive content or benefits.
- Website: patreon.com
- Fee: Patreon takes 5%–12% depending on your plan
Substack
Substack is a platform for newsletter creators. You can offer a free newsletter and a paid premium version.
- Website: substack.com
- Fee: Substack takes 10% of paid subscriptions
Building a Diversified Monetization Strategy
The most successful website owners do not rely on a single monetization method. They combine multiple approaches to create multiple income streams. Here is a recommended strategy for different stages of website growth:
- Starting out (under 10,000 monthly visitors): Join Ezoic for display ads, apply to Amazon Associates for affiliate income, and create a Patreon or donation page for direct support from your most loyal visitors.
- Growing (10,000–50,000 monthly visitors): Upgrade to Monumetric or stay with Ezoic, add more affiliate programs relevant to your content, and consider adding sponsored content opportunities.
- Established (50,000+ monthly visitors): Apply to Mediavine for premium display ads, maintain multiple affiliate programs, pursue direct advertising deals, and consider a membership or subscription offering.
