Maximize your blog’s earnings with the right monetization partner
Introduction: Why Choosing the Right Ad Network Matters
Monetizing a blog or website is one of the most crucial steps in turning your content into a sustainable business. With hundreds of ad networks available, it can be hard to know which one will truly pay off. Some offer easy onboarding but low RPMs (Revenue Per Mille), while others have stricter requirements but far better earning potential.
In this article, we break down the top ad networks in 2025 based on publisher revenue, factoring in RPMs, traffic requirements, features, and real-world performance. Whether you’re just starting out or have a mature content site, choosing the right ad network can make a dramatic difference in your monthly income.
1. Mediavine – 💰 Best Overall for Publisher Revenue
💵 Average RPM: $15–$40+
🔢 Minimum Traffic: 50,000 sessions/month
🌟 Best for: Established blogs with quality content and strong US traffic
Mediavine continues to dominate the publisher ad space with some of the highest RPMs in the industry. It’s built specifically for content creators in niches like food, parenting, travel, finance, and lifestyle.
Thanks to its advanced ad tech, lazy loading, and integrated video player, Mediavine maximizes revenue without sacrificing user experience. Its tools like Grow.me (for audience engagement) and Journey (for email marketing) provide long-term value beyond ads.
Pros:
- Very high RPMs for US traffic
- Premium advertisers and brand-safe inventory
- Excellent support and community
- Transparent reporting dashboard
Cons:
- High entry threshold (50,000 sessions/month)
- Long payout window (Net-65)
📝 Personal Experience: After hitting the traffic threshold, my site’s revenue tripled within a month of switching from Ezoic to Mediavine. With RPMs consistently in the $30–$35 range and excellent performance on mobile, the boost in passive income allowed me to reinvest in SEO and content development.
2. Raptive (formerly AdThrive) – 🏆 Top Performer for Large Publishers
💵 Average RPM: $15–$45+
🔢 Minimum Traffic: 100,000 monthly pageviews
🌟 Best for: Premium content creators with majority US traffic
Raptive is Mediavine’s biggest competitor and often matches or exceeds its RPMs for certain niches. It’s known for having strong brand deals, personalized support, and a “white-glove” experience for its publishers.
Pros:
- Extremely high RPMs and brand deals
- Great support for large-scale publishers
- Custom monetization strategy and optimization
Cons:
- Strict approval process
- Higher traffic requirement than Mediavine
- Slower onboarding
📝 Personal Note: I’ve worked with several clients using Raptive, and while the earnings were stellar, the setup and communication felt more “corporate.” Great for scaling, but not as community-oriented as Mediavine.
3. Ezoic – 🚀 Best for Beginners and Growing Sites
💵 Average RPM: $5–$20 (can increase with Premium)
🔢 Minimum Traffic: None (via Access Now program)
🌟 Best for: New bloggers, niche site builders, tech-savvy users
Ezoic has become the most accessible high-performance ad platform for new publishers. Its AI-powered system optimizes layout and ad density automatically for each user session, which helps improve RPMs over time.
The optional Ezoic Premium (invite-only) adds even better-paying advertisers, pushing RPMs into Mediavine-level territory for some niches.
Pros:
- No minimum traffic
- Fast onboarding process
- Additional tools: site speed, SEO, video, and analytics
- Fast payout (Net-30)
Cons:
- Learning curve for setup and dashboard
- Some complain of ad clutter without fine-tuning
- Premium costs money (though often worth it)
📝 Personal Experience: I used Ezoic on a site with just 2,000 monthly visitors and started earning around $4 RPM. After optimizing the layout and adding a lead magnet, my RPM rose to $11 within 2 months. Their support team was helpful, and the extra tools (like LEAP for site speed) were a huge bonus.
4. Monumetric – ⚖️ Great Mid-Tier Option
💵 Average RPM: $5–$25
🔢 Minimum Traffic: 10,000 monthly pageviews
🌟 Best for: Bloggers who want a managed ad service with some tech support
Monumetric is a lesser-known but powerful option for those who are growing but not yet at Mediavine levels. They offer hands-on onboarding and customize your ad placements to prioritize both revenue and user experience.
Pros:
- Hands-on support and ad layout management
- CPM model (paid per view, not just clicks)
- Solid RPMs for mid-size publishers
Cons:
- One-time $99 setup fee (waived after 80,000 pageviews/month)
- Net-60 payout
📝 Personal Note: I helped a friend move from AdSense to Monumetric. She saw her earnings increase 5x, from ~$0.50/day to $3–$5/day with just 12,000 pageviews/month. Their support team installed everything, making it easy even for non-tech-savvy users.
5. Google AdSense – 🧱 Reliable Starting Point
💵 Average RPM: $1–$5
🔢 Minimum Traffic: None
🌟 Best for: Total beginners, testing ad placements
AdSense is the most well-known and easiest to join, making it a good option for new bloggers. However, it offers the lowest RPMs of all the major networks and little in terms of support or optimization tools.
Pros:
- Easiest to get approved
- Supports almost all site types
- Simple ad placement options
Cons:
- Very low RPM
- Little optimization or long-term support
- Limited control over ads
📝 Experience: I used AdSense during the first six months of a new blog and made around $1 per 1,000 views. It was a good starter, but moving to Ezoic doubled my earnings overnight.
Honorable Mention: SHE Media
- Focus: Women-focused content
- RPM: $10–$25
- Traffic Requirement: ~20,000–50,000 pageviews/month
- Best For: Women-led or women-targeted blogs
- Notes: Offers community and empowerment-based monetization models
Final Verdict: Which Network Is Right for You?
| Ad Network | Best For | Avg. RPM | Traffic Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediavine | Established publishers | $15–$40+ | 50,000 sessions/month |
| Raptive | High-end US traffic | $15–$45+ | 100,000 pageviews |
| Ezoic | Beginners, growth phase | $5–$20 | None |
| Monumetric | Mid-tier blogs | $5–$25 | 10,000 pageviews |
| AdSense | Starters | $1–$5 | None |
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting from scratch, AdSense or Ezoic will get you in the game. As your traffic grows, aim for Monumetric, then transition to Mediavine or Raptive once you hit their thresholds. These high-tier networks will not only increase your revenue but give you access to an entire ecosystem of tools, support, and long-term growth strategies.
🔗 Pro Tip: Don’t wait to optimize. Build your email list, improve UX, and boost your Core Web Vitals now—so when you reach Mediavine or Raptive levels, you’re ready to monetize at full potential.