Introduction
Monetizing a website as a small publisher in 2025 is more competitive—and more rewarding—than ever before. With growing privacy concerns, evolving user behavior, and tighter standards around ad quality, the ad tech ecosystem continues to shift. Fortunately, small publishers today have access to a wide range of ad networks that cater specifically to their needs, even if they’re not pulling in millions of pageviews.
Whether you’re running a niche blog, a review site, or a community-focused platform, there’s an ad network out there that can help you earn from your content. This article breaks down the top five ad networks for small publishers in 2025, focusing on usability, revenue potential, minimum requirements, and overall publisher satisfaction—along with my personal experience navigating this space as a small blogger.
1. Ezoic
Best For: Sites with 10,000+ monthly pageviews
Ezoic has established itself as one of the most popular choices for small and mid-sized publishers, thanks to its powerful AI-driven optimization platform. The company allows access to Google Ad Exchange (AdX), which can drastically increase your earning potential compared to basic AdSense.
Key Features:
- AI Ad Tester to automatically optimize ad placements
- Access to Google Ad Exchange
- Built-in tools for site speed, video hosting, and SEO
- No upfront costs
Pros:
- Excellent for small publishers (10k+ pageviews minimum)
- Full control over ad density and placement
- Great reporting and analytics
- Helps improve Core Web Vitals
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Requires DNS integration, which can be intimidating
Personal Experience:
I started using Ezoic when my blog hit around 13,000 monthly pageviews. The onboarding process was detailed, and while the DNS setup initially scared me, their support team walked me through each step. Within the first month, my ad earnings jumped nearly 2.5x compared to what I was making with AdSense. Their layout tester helped improve user time on site, and the extra tools like Leap significantly boosted my Core Web Vitals, helping with SEO rankings as well.
2. SHE Media
Best For: Lifestyle, parenting, and women-focused blogs with 5,000+ sessions/month
SHE Media focuses on female-focused content creators and lifestyle bloggers. What sets them apart is the community support and additional revenue streams they offer, including sponsored campaigns and influencer partnerships.
Key Features:
- Curated advertising with high CPMs
- Sponsored content opportunities
- Lower minimum traffic requirement (5,000+ sessions/month)
- Focus on women-led publishing
Pros:
- Excellent for newer blogs with lifestyle or parenting content
- Offers more than just ads—community events, sponsorships, etc.
- Higher CPMs than basic networks
Cons:
- Requires that your audience aligns with their target demographics
- Limited support for non-lifestyle or male-focused niches
Personal Experience:
My wife runs a family and parenting blog and was accepted into SHE Media with just under 6,000 sessions per month. Within two weeks, she was contacted for a sponsored recipe campaign, which paid more than a month of ad revenue alone. The community aspect—monthly creator calls and access to their learning portal—has been incredibly motivating.
3. Monumetric
Best For: Publishers with 10,000+ monthly pageviews and long-form content
Monumetric is known for providing white-glove support and great CPMs for smaller publishers. Unlike many networks, Monumetric requires a one-time setup fee (waived for larger sites), but the return on investment often justifies it.
Key Features:
- Hands-on onboarding and setup
- Works well with long-form and high-engagement content
- Good ad layout control and mobile optimization
Pros:
- Higher than average RPMs for niche blogs
- Great support and optimization services
- Low minimum traffic requirement (10k pageviews/month)
Cons:
- $99 setup fee for sites under 80,000 pageviews/month
- Requires some manual ad placement tweaks for optimal performance
Personal Experience:
After using Ezoic for a year, I tried Monumetric on another niche site focused on home gardening. Their team set up my ads for me, and the results were impressive. My RPMs increased by about 40%, and the overall design of the ads felt less intrusive. If you have the traffic and don’t mind the upfront setup fee, Monumetric is a worthy upgrade.
4. Mediavine Journey (Email Monetization Companion)
Best For: Current or aspiring Mediavine publishers with 50,000+ sessions/month
While Mediavine itself is geared toward more established publishers, their new product—Journey—adds a powerful email monetization layer that benefits both large and small sites preparing to scale. Even if you’re not yet eligible for Mediavine ads, Journey offers a future-ready way to build your audience and monetize with first-party data.
Key Features:
- Email list-building tools
- Automated email sequences
- Lead generation landing pages
- Seamless integration with Mediavine Ads (for qualifying publishers)
Pros:
- Excellent for building and owning your audience
- Strong user data insights for monetization and engagement
- Future-proof against cookie-based advertising decline
Cons:
- Only available to Mediavine publishers
- Not a standalone ad network—but complements one
Personal Experience:
I started using Journey in early 2024 after my main blog was accepted into Mediavine. It completely changed how I connect with my audience. I created a free downloadable ebook as a lead magnet and built an email list of over 2,000 readers in a few months. Now, when I launch new blog posts or affiliate guides, I can instantly notify an engaged audience. The added traffic from email helped boost ad impressions, and Journey’s analytics help me track reader behavior in real time.
5. PropellerAds
Best For: Publishers with very low traffic or non-traditional content
PropellerAds is an alternative ad network that accepts nearly all websites, including those that don’t qualify for more premium platforms. It specializes in pop-unders, push notifications, and interstitial ads, making it suitable for gaming, entertainment, and download-focused websites.
Key Features:
- No minimum traffic requirement
- Supports a wide variety of ad formats (including push and pop ads)
- Fast approval process
Pros:
- Accepts new publishers regardless of size or niche
- High fill rates worldwide
- Weekly payments available
Cons:
- User experience can be intrusive depending on ad types
- Lower CPMs for U.S. traffic compared to premium networks
Personal Experience:
I used PropellerAds when I launched a small entertainment blog just for testing. While the earnings weren’t massive, the instant approval and fast payments helped me keep the site funded during its growth phase. I’d recommend it for international or casual projects where user experience isn’t the top priority.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right ad network as a small publisher in 2025 depends on your niche, traffic levels, and growth goals. Here’s a quick recap:
| Ad Network | Minimum Traffic | Best For | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ezoic | 10,000 pageviews | General blogs | AI optimization, high RPM |
| SHE Media | 5,000 sessions | Lifestyle/parenting | Sponsored content + ads |
| Monumetric | 10,000 pageviews | Content-heavy blogs | Higher CPMs, good support |
| Mediavine Journey | Mediavine publishers | List-building | Email monetization & audience ownership |
| PropellerAds | No minimum | Broad niches | Accepts almost any site |
Pro Tip:
Don’t be afraid to start with AdSense if you’re below the traffic requirements for these networks. As your site grows, move to a platform that better supports higher RPMs and a richer user experience.
In 2025, the key to success as a small publisher is not just about getting ads on your site—it’s about owning your audience, optimizing performance, and choosing a network that grows with you. Personally, each platform I’ve tried has taught me something new, and with every step, I’ve gained more control over my site’s income and future.