In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, earning money through ad networks has become a reliable side hustle for many. These ad networks allow individuals to monetize their websites, blogs, or apps, turning traffic into revenue.

Google AdSense is one of the most popular and well-known ad networks, but there are several other alternatives that might better suit your needs or offer more competitive payouts. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of various ad companies, including Google AdSense, detailing their approval criteria, earnings potential, and the time it takes to get approved.

We will go through the following companies:

1. Google AdSense
2. Media.net
3. AdThrive
4. Ezoic
5. Revcontent
6. PropellerAds
7. Mediavine

1. Google AdSense

Criteria for Approval:

Google AdSense is one of the most well-known ad networks, and it’s a great choice for beginners and experienced publishers alike. Here are the criteria for approval:

• Content: Your website should have original, high-quality content. Google looks for content that complies with its content policies (no adult, hate speech, violence, etc.).
• Traffic: There’s no official minimum traffic requirement, but generally, a site with consistent traffic is more likely to get approved.
• Site Design: Your site must be easy to navigate, with clear navigation menus, a user-friendly layout, and a privacy policy.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Country Availability: Google AdSense is available in many countries, but you need to check if it’s available in your location.

Earnings Potential:

Google AdSense earnings largely depend on factors like the niche of your site, the amount of traffic, and user engagement. The most common way of earning is via Cost Per Click (CPC), meaning you get paid whenever someone clicks on an ad. However, the average earnings per click range from $0.10 to $5, with niches like finance, insurance, and technology offering the highest payouts.

• Average CPC: $0.10 – $2 (depending on the niche).
• RPM (Revenue per thousand impressions): $1 to $10.

Approval Time:

Typically, Google AdSense approval can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days. However, it may take longer if additional reviews are required. Google’s approval process is strict, so it’s essential to have a fully functional website with good content.

For more information, read How to Sign Up to Google AdSense.

2. Media.net

Criteria for Approval:

Media.net, powered by Yahoo and Bing, is a strong competitor to Google AdSense and offers a good alternative. Here’s what you need to be aware of for Media.net approval:

• Content: Content should be of high quality, original, and compliant with Media.net’s content policies (similar to AdSense).
• Traffic: Media.net prefers websites with substantial traffic (typically, at least 10,000 monthly visitors).
• Design: Media.net also requires websites to have a clean design, good user experience, and mobile optimization.
• Age: Your website should be at least six months old to be considered.
• Ad Format: Media.net offers contextual ads that blend seamlessly with your content.

Earnings Potential:

Media.net generally offers a better CPM (Cost per Thousand Impressions) model than CPC. This can be advantageous for sites that receive high traffic but have a lower click-through rate.

• Average CPM: $1 – $4.
• RPM: Can range from $1 to $15 depending on traffic quality.

Approval Time:

Media.net approval can take between 2 and 7 days. The approval time might take longer if the review team requires more information or a more thorough check on your website’s quality.

3. AdThrive

Criteria for Approval:

AdThrive is a premium ad network tailored to websites with significant traffic. It’s particularly known for its high-quality ad placements and great customer support.

• Content: Original, engaging content that appeals to a specific audience.
• Traffic: AdThrive requires a minimum of 100,000 monthly page views, with a significant portion coming from the US.
• Niche: While AdThrive works well for many niches, it’s especially effective in areas like lifestyle, food, health, and parenting.
• Design: Like other ad networks, your site needs a clean, mobile-friendly design.

Earnings Potential:

AdThrive tends to pay much higher rates than AdSense due to its premium ad placements and relationships with top advertisers. If you have substantial traffic, AdThrive can significantly boost your ad revenue.

• Average RPM: $10 – $25 (can go higher in some cases).
• Earnings per page view: AdThrive offers one of the best payouts among all ad networks, especially for sites with over 100,000 monthly visitors.

Approval Time:

AdThrive’s approval process is more rigorous and can take up to 7 to 14 days. However, if you meet the criteria, you can expect quick onboarding once approved.

4. Ezoic

Criteria for Approval:

Ezoic is a platform that uses AI to optimize ad placements on your site. This dynamic ad system works well for large-scale websites.

• Content: Your website must have original, high-quality content that aligns with ad guidelines.
• Traffic: Ezoic is more flexible with traffic requirements. It’s suitable for websites with 10,000 to 50,000 monthly page views.
• Design: Mobile optimization is a must. Ezoic places ads on all devices, so a mobile-friendly design is critical for performance.

Earnings Potential:

Ezoic’s AI-driven technology helps to optimize ad placements, which could lead to higher RPMs than what you might get with static ad placements. The system automatically adjusts ads to maximize your revenue.

• Average RPM: $5 – $15 (varies depending on traffic quality and site performance).
• Revenue Optimization: Ezoic’s AI often helps increase revenue by optimizing ad placements and adjusting the site’s layout to maximize clicks.

Approval Time:

Ezoic approval can take anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on the complexity of your site’s review. Since Ezoic uses AI, they offer an optimization period after approval to enhance ad performance.

5. Revcontent

Criteria for Approval:

Revcontent offers native advertising solutions, providing non-intrusive, engaging ads that blend with your website’s content.

• Content: Your content should be original, engaging, and relevant to your audience.
• Traffic: Websites with significant traffic (10,000+ monthly visitors) are more likely to be approved.
• Niche: Revcontent works well for a variety of niches, especially entertainment, lifestyle, and technology.

Earnings Potential:

Revcontent generally offers higher CPM rates compared to traditional CPC networks.

• Average CPM: $5 – $15.
• Revenue Per Impression: Higher rates are possible with better targeting and audience engagement.

Approval Time:

Revcontent can take 3 to 5 days for approval, depending on the site’s content and traffic.

6. PropellerAds

Criteria for Approval:

PropellerAds is an international ad network that specializes in display, push notification, and interstitial ads.

• Content: Content must comply with PropellerAds’ guidelines (no adult or prohibited content).
• Traffic: PropellerAds is open to smaller sites, with no strict traffic minimums.
• Design: The design should be user-friendly and optimized for all devices.

Earnings Potential:

PropellerAds works on a variety of ad models, including CPM, CPC, and CPA (Cost per Acquisition), offering flexibility.

• Average CPM: $2 – $5.
• Revenue per thousand impressions: Typically lower than networks like AdThrive or Ezoic but still solid for smaller sites.

Approval Time:

PropellerAds can approve your site in 1 to 3 days, which is relatively fast compared to others.

7. Mediavine

Criteria for Approval:

Mediavine is a premium ad network for lifestyle bloggers, food websites, and personal finance sites. It requires:

• Content: High-quality, original content that appeals to a defined audience.
• Traffic: A minimum of 50,000 monthly page views.
• Ad Types: Mediavine works with display and video ads, offering premium placements.

Earnings Potential:

Mediavine pays well due to its premium ad network and high CPM.

• Average RPM: $15 – $40, with high-traffic sites earning more.

Approval Time:

Mediavine’s approval process can take between 5 to 7 days, with faster approval for well-established sites.

Comparison Overview

Ad Network	Approval Time	Minimum Traffic	Average RPM	Payout Model
Google AdSense	1 – 3 days	No official req	$1 – $10	CPC, CPM
Media.net	2 – 7 days	10,000 visits	$1 – $4	CPC, CPM
AdThrive	7 – 14 days	100,000 visits	$10 – $25	CPM
Ezoic	2 – 7 days	10,000 visits	$5 – $15	CPM, CPC
Revcontent	3 – 5 days	10,000 visits	$5 – $15	CPM
PropellerAds	1 – 3 days	No official req	$2 – $5	CPM, CPC, CPA
Mediavine	5 – 7 days	50,000 visits	$15 – $40	CPM

Conclusion

Choosing the right ad network depends on several factors, including your website’s traffic, niche, and content quality.

Google AdSense remains a solid starting point for most webmasters, offering accessibility and simplicity. For sites with substantial traffic, AdThrive and Mediavine offer premium rates and are well worth the effort to get approved. On the other hand, Ezoic and Media.net provide more flexibility in terms of approval and can yield great returns with optimized ad placements.

Before applying to any network, ensure that your website is SEO-friendly and adheres to the respective ad network’s content guidelines. Whether you choose Google AdSense, Mediavine, or any other ad network, the key to maximizing your revenue lies in consistently producing high-quality content and optimizing your site’s user experience.