15 Noteworthy Alternatives to Monetize Your Website Besides AdSense

While AdSense may seem the obvious option for monetizing your website, the harsh reality is that you will likely face a time-consuming process followed by very low starting revenue opportunities. Thankfully, better solutions exist.

This guide to alternative monetization options will help you start generating a greater level of income from your website while simultaneously providing a better fit for your brand. Let’s dive in.

Pros and cons of monetizing with Google AdSense 

The Google AdSense platform is an online portal that connects website owners to advertisers. In short, an advertiser will bid to have their ads displayed on the publisher’s site while content creators get paid for showing those advertisements. 

AdSense was first launched in 2003 and has been used by millions of website owners and advertisers. From a publisher’s perspective, it’s important to understand the following advantages and disadvantages of the platform:

Pros

• Every web user will, at some point, interact with Google AdSense from a consumer’s perspective. This added familiarity comes with a lot of benefits.
• It removes the need to approach potential advertisers, as the Google ad networks will have them actively bid for your available ad spaces.
• Setting up an Adsense account is easy – albeit with a strict approval process – and displaying ads on your website is a simple task.
• It is an easy route to a passive income, and there is no limit on how much revenue can be generated as long as your website acquires enough visits.
• The platform is free to use, and all adverts are provided by Google ad networks, which saves you the time of creating ads on behalf of a client.

Cons

• You will only generate a noticeable level of ad revenue if your website gains a lot of traffic and pageviews, and there are also minimum payout thresholds. 
• Ad placements can potentially impact the user experience, even when using a WordPress site that adapts to mobile and desktop screens.
• There is an undeniable issue of low revenue for some niches that is difficult to overcome even when website traffic reaches a desirable level.
• Some users that have an adblock installed on their device won’t see the adverts, which will significantly harm your returns.
• When using Google Adsense, you will be prohibited from using other ad networks, which can reduce overall revenue figures.

How to monetize your website without Google AdSense

Whether you’re building a content aggregator site or working exclusively with content you’ve created, all bloggers and website owners should be familiar with the different types of display ads that could be utilized within your website monetization strategy.

The most common and effective types, along with other key terminology, are as follows:

• CPC (Cost-per-click): The publisher is paid for each time that their ad is clicked by an online visitor. This is usually several cents per click.
• CPM (Cost-per-mille): The advertiser pays the publisher for every thousand impressions of their ad that gets shown (regardless of clicks).
• Popup: An ad that appears in a new window directly in front of the webpage content, making it unmissable for the user.
• Interstitial: Full-screen ads that appear in between website pages and force users to interact. 
• Sliders: Ads that slide in from the side or bottom of a web page to grab the user’s attention.
• Video ads: Advertisements that are displayed before, during, or after video content and could vary from banners to videos. 
• Contextual ads: Ads that are matched to the website content while simultaneously influenced by the individual user’s browsing history.
• Relevant ads: Adverts that are determined by the user’s search history and browsing behavior to boost the impact of eCommerce advertising.
• Header bidding: A real-time ad-selling method that uses an auction so that advertisers can bid for ad inventory.
• Monumetric: An ad network that offers various ad formats and optimization tools to publishers.
• Buysellads: A digital marketplace that connects advertisers with website publishers to buy ad space.

Understanding the above methods can help you boost your monetization efforts without Google AdSense and, more importantly, feel in control of the types of adverts you display on your website.

Exploring ad networks beyond AdSense 

Google AdSense is a useful platform that pays out 51% and 68%, respectively, for content and search ads. Overall, it pays billions of dollars to its network of publishers each year and continues to help thousands of publishers generate passive income. Still, website owners may want to consider alternative options.

An alternative ad network could potentially unlock increased revenue and links to more suitable advertisers while also facilitating greater control regarding ad placements. Google AdSense alternatives also help site owners bypass problems with the approval process and desire to build diversified revenue streams while also avoiding missed revenue caused by adblocker extensions. Some of the key incentives for taking this route include:

• Better ad formats: An extensive range of ad formats enables you to create a better user experience, potentially introducing ideas like immersive and interactive ads. 
• More control over ad space: This could relate to keeping ads in certain locations on the website and avoiding specific ad types for a better user experience and revenue potential.
• Reduced ad clutter: The ability to focus on fewer ads and less obtrusive ads can provide a user-friendly experience that helps maintain professionalism.
• Adblock extensions: Anti-adblocking technologies can ensure that display ads are seen by all website visitors.
• Higher revenue potential: Choosing an ad network where advertisers pay more money to have their ads displayed can boost overall returns.

Top Google Adsense alternatives for website monetization compared 

AdSense may be the most commonly known solution for displaying ads on your website, but it’s not the only choice. The market does also have several great alternative options. We’ll cover some of these solutions in more detail below:

1. Media.net

Google isn’t the only major search engine on the internet. Bing, the second largest global search engine, powers Media.net, a contextual ad network that offers publishers the opportunity to use both display ads and native ads. 

Like AdSense, it does have strict compliance regulations and inventory policies, and a high volume of traffic is needed to generate revenue. Nevertheless, options like sidebar ads cause far less disruption for the end user, while the relevance of ads increases the likelihood of clicks. Media.net also has an automated ad optimization feature to further improve the click-through rate of your display ads.

2. Infolinks

The Infolinks ad network focuses on both in-text and in-frame ads. While it does have a low revenue potential, the fact that it offers easy integration and management, along with low traffic requirements, makes it a good choice for new bloggers.

The simple ad management platform allows website owners to create a passive income that is powered by contextualized ad placements. Infolinks launched in 2007 and is used by over 25,000 website publishers.

3. Ezoic

Ezoic is an AI-powered platform that optimizes ad placement and layout while offering various ad types. This can help WordPress site owners reduce the amount of time spent on ad management while still generating a passive revenue stream.

The platform can only be used by publishers with a Google AdSense account and monthly traffic of at least 10,000 visitors. So, rather than being a replacement for AdSense, Ezoic should be thought of as an extension. Nevertheless, it provides a solid option for anyone looking to improve the returns provided by their current AdSense ads.

4. MediaVine

The MediaVine ad network supports various ad types and full-service ad management campaigns to build sustainable business models. This is underpinned by advanced optimization tools that are even greater than those of AdSense.

While the opportunities for advanced optimization do provide higher revenue potential per click or impression, there are strict requirements for high traffic. That said, MediaVine works with a wide range of advertisers, ensuring that bloggers from every niche can find a perfect match for their websites, provided the site gets enough page views.

5. Adsterra

The global Adsterra ad network is one that offers various ad formats, including pop-under, display, and video ads. It also provides advanced targeting options, anti-adblocker technology, and real-time statistics.

Adsterra features advanced targeting but can be impacted by low fill rates, which translates to lower revenue. The platform also has strict compliance regulations and is not suitable for all types of websites. For appropriate sites, though, it is an extremely powerful tool that can take passive income streams to far greater heights.

6. AdRecover

AdRecover offers a solution to recover lost revenue from ad blockers, while Google AdSense primarily focuses on serving ads to users without ad blockers. AdRecover’s adblock bypass technology ensures compliance with Acceptable Ad standards while minimizing disruptions to user experience. 

Publishers gain insights into adblock usage patterns and demographics, empowering informed decisions for optimized revenue recovery. AdRecover prioritizes user satisfaction by seamlessly integrating non-intrusive ads and providing transparent user consent controls. Effortless integration and positive testimonials underscore its effectiveness in maintaining revenue streams amidst ad-blocking challenges. 

7. PropellerAds

PropellerAds offers a dynamic alternative to traditional ad platforms like Google AdSense, providing advertisers with access to a vast global audience exceeding 1 billion monthly users across various industries. Unlike Google AdSense, which primarily focuses on serving ads to users based on website content, PropellerAds emphasizes smart user acquisition through a multisource advertising approach, allowing businesses to reach new audiences and drive conversions efficiently across mobile apps, software, lead generation, eCommerce, social, and finance sectors.

While Google AdSense relies heavily on contextual targeting, PropellerAds stands out for its exclusive interest and demographic targeting options, enabling advertisers to tailor their campaigns with precision. Additionally, PropellerAds boasts a diverse range of ad formats, including Push, In-Page Push, Popunder, Interstitial, Survey Exit, and Push Notification, offering advertisers exceptional reach and high conversion rates.

8. SHE Media

SHE Media stands out as a mission-driven media company, leveraging the power of content to inform and inspire audiences worldwide. With a rich collection of premium and authentic content curated from thousands of sources, SHE Media celebrates passion and purpose, embodying the messy, beautiful, and authentic moments of our lives. 

In comparison to Google AdSense, SHE Media offers advertisers access to a highly engaged audience of women at every age and stage through its ecosystem of premium, diverse publishers and creators. Additionally, SHE Media’s Meaningful Marketplace platform provides economic opportunities to underserved publishers and creators, allowing advertisers to direct media investments toward high-quality content produced for deeply engaged audiences.

9. ylliX

ylliX offers publishers a lucrative opportunity to monetize their website traffic with fair rates, detailed reports, and daily payments. With automatic real-time optimization and support for CPM, CPC, and CPA ad campaigns, ylliX maximizes publishers’ earning potential while providing dedicated support to address their needs effectively.

In comparison to Google AdSense’s primarily text and display ad formats, ylliX provides various ad types for both mobile and desktop traffic, ensuring maximum revenue potential for publishers. With fair payouts based on traffic quality and daily payments with a low $5 payout minimum, ylliX offers a hassle-free monetization solution. Additionally, publishers can earn up to $100 for each new active user they bring to the platform, further enhancing their revenue opportunities.

10. RevContent

RevContent empowers publishers to monetize their online presence effortlessly while ensuring a positive user experience. It offers lightweight ad formats that enhance website performance and loading times, ultimately leading to increased revenue generation. By prioritizing non-interruptive ad formats, RevContent fosters reader satisfaction and engagement, driving higher click-through rates and conversions. 

For advertisers, RevContent delivers authoritative native advertising options through partnerships with top media channels, ensuring maximum ROI and customer conversion rates. With user-friendly advertising solutions and a commitment to simplicity, RevContent provides advertisers with an easy and effective platform to achieve their marketing goals.

11. Sovrn 

Sovrn consolidates various affiliate revenue efforts into one comprehensive platform, from link monetization to editorial tools to reporting. With automation features like automatic link monetization and instant link creation via the Chrome extension, Sovrn streamlines the affiliate marketing process, enabling publishers to monetize their content effortlessly.

In comparison to Google AdSense, Sovrn offers publishers the flexibility to earn through CPA, CPC, and RTB programs, ensuring maximum control over their revenue streams. Sovrn’s sophisticated tools, including comparison tools and shoppable content creation, enable publishers to create dynamic and customizable affiliate content that enhances user engagement and drives conversions effectively.

12. Adnimation

Adnimation offers a platform that combines advanced technology with personalized expertise. Through its Monetization Accelerator Program (MAP), Adnimation grants access to premium demand without pageview limitations, empowering growing sites to unlock top-level monetization opportunities. 

In comparison to Google AdSense, Adnimation provides full ad management with a human touch, offering a seamless blend of proprietary technology and professional support. With a commitment to delivering results, it serves fewer ads for higher prices, ensuring optimal revenue generation for creators. Additionally, Adnimation prioritizes transparency, offering net 35 payments and showing gross revenue to provide creators with a clear understanding of their earnings.

13. BidVertiser

BidVertiser distinguishes itself as a direct advertising network, offering publishers and advertisers a platform where optimization and transparency converge seamlessly. With a focus on generating conversions and maximizing ROI, BidVertiser provides pre-screened traffic sources aimed at delivering results for advertisers while offering transparency and control to publishers.

Compared to Google AdSense, BidVertiser offers a self-serve platform designed to cater to the needs of both advertisers and publishers. Publishers benefit from fully segmented traffic sources, enabling precise targeting based on various parameters such as geography, device, browser, and more. 

14. Adversal 

Adversal offers a self-serve platform that simplifies the process of setting up advertising campaigns, providing publishers with a hassle-free experience and quick campaign deployment. Unlike traditional ad networks, it allows publishers to pay as they go without the need for extensive paperwork, offering a smart interface for effortless campaign management.

Similar to Google AdSense, Adversal provides publishers with various ad formats including native, video, and display ads, catering to diverse audience preferences and maximizing revenue potential. 

15. Evadav

Evadav specializes in delivering engaging and high-quality ads across various formats, including push notifications, popunders, banners, native ads, and in-page messages. 

In comparison to Google AdSense, Evadav provides fully customized, in-house-built technology tailored to meet the specific needs of publishers and advertisers. With round-the-clock partner care, professional account managers, and a vast selection of payment methods, Evadav prioritizes user experience and convenience. Additionally, Evadav stands out for its emphasis on push notifications, offering advertisers the opportunity to reach users who have opted in to receive browser notifications, resulting in high click-through rates and optimal prices on a CPC/CPM basis.

	Media.net	Infolinks	Ezoic	MediaVine	Adsterra
Best for	Niche websites	New websites	AdSenseusers	Established sites	Advanced publishers
Biggest pro	Automated optimization	Low traffic requirements	AI tech gets results	High revenue	Diverse ad types
Biggest con	Strict compliance	Low revenue opportunities	Only useful with AdSense	High traffic requirements	Strict requirements
Rating	4 out of 5	3 out of 5	3 out of 5	4 out of 5	4 out of 5

Alternative revenue stream options 

A concerted effort to generate a passive income from a curated content site or other domain through ad revenue will help bloggers make money from their blogs and website owners increase their income. However, it’s equally important to embrace monetization through non-ad revenue streams. Diversification will lead to greater stability by removing the reliance on one solution while additionally opening the door to healthier growth opportunities. 

Whether redeveloping a WordPress website or launching a new site on any CMS, the following monetization tactics could be hugely useful.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a simple concept to understand and one of the most effective website monetization methods available, especially for sites that produce a lot of content (including content aggregation sites). It essentially works on the concept of promoting another brand’s products or services in return for a commission on any sale or lead that comes directly from your recommendation.

The Amazon Associates affiliate program is particularly popular as it offers access to millions of products, meaning you can find items that are related to your content and audience. In conjunction with an RSS aggregator tool like WP RSS Aggregator, which helps website owners to curate and display content related to their affiliate products, affiliate revenue can become an extremely effective means of passive income.

Sponsored content

Sponsored content shares some attributes with affiliate marketing because it focuses on the idea of promoting the products of another company. However, sponsored content sees the business pay you a fee to produce content that promotes them. They may simply pay to include a mention of one of their products in your content, or it could be a paid review of their products or services.

Either way, it’s important for bloggers and website owners to disclose the fact that the content has been sponsored in order to maintain transparency and trust with your site’s audience.

You can reach out to potential sponsors by contacting brands that share a common audience with your site, and then use WP RSS Aggregator to help manage and display your sponsored posts alongside your other types of curated content. This helps to ensure both proper attribution and a seamless user experience.

Selling products

Monetization of your website may also extend to the traditional concept of selling products. This could include physical products like merchandise or digital assets ranging from artwork to eBooks or online tuition. It is an active revenue stream that requires some work but does yield high profit margins and deliver greater control. 

Selling products alongside a quality content marketing strategy has several benefits. Aside from adding an active revenue stream to your website, you’ll also be able to actively help address the pain points of your target audience by providing a product or service that meets their needs.

If you host your website on WordPress, adding the functionality to sell both physical and digital products to your site is very straightforward, owing to native compatibility with the popular WooCommerce platform. The advantage of this is that you can host your website content and sell products on the same platform, creating a more holistic experience for your website visitors.

Partnerships

Another increasingly common solution is to form mutually beneficial partnerships with other bloggers or small businesses. This could open the door to co-branded products, joint ventures, or cross-promotions. Co-branding is when two brands come together to sell or promote a product or service.

These brands could be complementary businesses with a shared audience or competitors in the same space; both options have been successful, as demonstrated by joint ventures between Starbucks and Spotify and Ford and Harley Davidson. 

If you can secure a relevant partnership, this is a route that can bring increased revenue, exposure, and growth opportunities for both parties.

Optimizing your website for increased revenue 

Finding the right monetization methods will provide a solid platform to build upon, but the maximum ROI (return on investment) can only be achieved when your website has been optimized for revenue generation.

Happy customers spend more than double what unhappy customers do, meaning a focus on improving the user experience, engagement levels, and conversion rates is essential. Careful planning will be needed to implement an optimization strategy that covers on-page and off-page elements. Some of the most effective options include:

• Optimizing website load times. Extended loading times can lead to people abandoning your site, which results in reduced revenue generation from both your active and passive streams.
• Upgrading site navigation to build a better user experience that reduces bounce rates. This should be optimized for both mobile and desktop.
• Using A/B testing to ensure that every element of your site’s content and design is optimized with revenue generation in mind.
• Introducing powerful calls-to-action. If you do not tell users how you actively want them to act on your website, you’ll reduce the chance of conversion.
• Optimizing ad placements to ensure that they are visible but do not cause major disruption to the user experience.

If you’re looking to optimize the display of your website content, WP RSS Aggregator can help! Built-in functionality like customizable templates, video integrations, and SEO benefits enables users to optimize the display of curated content, helping to enhance user engagement and drive increased conversions.

Monetizing with content curation 

Content curation can be implemented as part of a standalone curation website concept or be used to take your existing content website to the next level. WP RSS Aggregator is a powerful content curation solution that can help WordPress website owners manage and display content from various sources to support monetization efforts.

When used well, the WordPress plugin can enhance user experience, drive engagement, and improve SEO strategies. Key features that can support your monetization efforts include:

• Unlimited sources: Securing large quantities of relevant, insightful content will help to build authority and grow your audience.
• Feed-to-post imports: Import and display content as WordPress Posts or any other custom post type.
• Block and shortcode displays: Take full control over how your curated content is displayed, maximizing its impact and helping to provide a better user experience on your site.
• Automated source attribution: Transparency on where curated content has been sourced from is essential for building trust and avoiding potential copyright violations.
• Video integrations: Videos ensure that your curated content is more memorable, fresh, and exciting, and using a mixture of different media on your site can even help improve SEO.
• Easy template creation: Knowing that all content will be displayed in an attractive, user-friendly format is essential for both site owners and visitors. Using templates can help to streamline this process, enabling you to curate and publish a high volume of content with ease.

As a dedicated tool for content curation, WP RSS Aggregator can help manage relevant content, provide proper attribution, and display all content in a visually appealing manner. Better yet, the plugin also supports affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product promotion endeavors to cement its place as one of the best content curation tools on the market.

Your next step: Implementing your monetization strategy

When looking to maximize the monetization potential of your website, it’s important to look beyond the most obvious solutions. While Google AdSense has some advantages, exploring alternative options and diversifying your revenue streams could be the key to future growth.  Website owners may wish to consider alternative ad networks or look to additional solutions like affiliate marketing, merchandising, partnerships, and sponsored content. 

Whichever monetization strategies you opt for, however, you must first ensure that the website itself is optimized for success. While it’s not the only key ingredient in the recipe for success, an RSS aggregator such as WP RSS Aggregator is a fantastic tool that will transform your approach to content curation and monetization. 

Key features like unlimited source curation, customizable displays, automated source attribution, and SEO benefits will deliver the best experience for your website visitors, helping to boost traffic and ultimately increase revenue from both your passive and active streams.

The rewards of increased user engagement, conversions, and revenue won’t only help you reach your short-term objectives. Crucially, it’ll lay the foundation for continued growth and scalability for both the website and your opportunities for revenue.

To give your website the best chance of generating more revenue, get started with WP RSS Aggregator today!