Display ads are the easiest way to monetize a blog: add a script, and every visitor earns you something whether they buy or not. But the gap between ad networks is huge. The same traffic can earn $2 per 1,000 pageviews on one network and $20 or more on another. The trick is to start with a network that accepts you now and move up as your traffic grows. This list covers the 12 best ad networks for bloggers in 2026, from no-minimum networks for new sites to the premium managers that pay the most.
Updated October 2026: Chitika, Adversal, and Kontera have shut down, and Amazon’s display ad products were retired, so they were removed. Ezoic, Journey by Mediavine, Mediavine, Raptive, and Monumetric were added, with their current traffic requirements.
Ad Networks Compared
| Network | Traffic Requirement | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Google AdSense | None (approval review) | Every new blog |
| Ezoic | None | Small sites wanting higher RPMs |
| Journey by Mediavine | About 1,000 sessions/month | Growing blogs |
| Monumetric | About 10,000 pageviews/month | Mid-size blogs |
| Raptive | 25,000 pageviews/month | Established blogs, mostly US/UK traffic |
| Mediavine | 50,000 sessions/month | Established blogs |
| Media.net | Site review | English sites, US/UK/CA traffic |
| Infolinks | None | Extra in-text revenue |
| Sovrn Commerce | Site review | Automatic affiliate links |
| BuySellAds / Carbon | Niche audience | Developer and design sites |
| Adsterra | None | Any traffic source |
| Bidvertiser | None | Small sites, any country |
1. Google AdSense
AdSense is still the default first network: the largest pool of advertisers, auto ads that place themselves, and no traffic minimum, though Google reviews each site for original content and policy compliance before approval. Since 2024 it pays per impression rather than per click. RPMs for blogs typically range from $1 to $10 depending on niche and country. See how to get AdSense approval and high paying AdSense keywords.
Payment: $100 minimum, monthly, bank transfer and other methods by country.
2. Ezoic
Ezoic is a Google Certified Publishing Partner that uses machine learning to test ad placements and sizes on your pages, combining AdSense and many other demand partners. It has no traffic minimum, which makes it the first upgrade from plain AdSense for many small blogs. Earnings are usually higher than AdSense alone, at the cost of more ads and some setup (it works through its WordPress plugin or by changing nameservers).
Payment: $20 minimum, monthly via PayPal, Payoneer, bank transfer, or check.
3. Journey by Mediavine
Journey is Mediavine\’s program for smaller sites, open from roughly 1,000 monthly sessions. You install Mediavine\’s Grow plugin, run it for 30 days, and the site is reviewed for original content and real (not bought) traffic; the site should be at least a few months old. You get Mediavine\’s ad technology and a path to the full program as you grow.
Payment: Monthly payments; Mediavine handles all ad management.
4. Monumetric
Monumetric is a full-service ad manager for mid-size blogs, with plans starting at around 10,000 monthly pageviews (a setup fee applies on the entry tier). It optimizes placements, handles header bidding, and offers an account manager, with RPMs usually well above AdSense.
Payment: Net 60 payments via PayPal or direct deposit.
5. Raptive (formerly AdThrive)
Raptive is one of the two top ad managers for independent publishers. In October 2025 it cut its requirement from 100,000 to 25,000 monthly pageviews, as long as at least half the traffic comes from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Publishers commonly report RPMs of $20 or more on US traffic, and Raptive is known for strong support.
Payment: Monthly payments, high revenue share to publishers.
6. Mediavine
Mediavine is the other top ad manager, used by thousands of food, travel, lifestyle, and home blogs. It requires 50,000 monthly sessions (tracked in Google Analytics) for the full program. Mediavine focuses on page speed with lazy loading and lightweight scripts, and pays a high share of revenue.
Payment: Monthly payments via PayPal, direct deposit, or wire.
7. Media.net
Media.net serves contextual and display ads from the Microsoft Bing and Yahoo network plus programmatic demand. It suits English-language sites with mostly US, UK, and Canadian traffic, and can run alongside AdSense. Read our full Media.net review.
Payment: $100 minimum, Net 30, PayPal, Payoneer, or wire.
8. Infolinks
Infolinks adds in-text links and in-frame, in-fold, and in-article units that work alongside AdSense or other networks. There is no traffic minimum and approval is easy, so it is a simple way to add extra revenue to existing pages. See our Infolinks review.
Payment: $50 minimum, Net 45, PayPal, Payoneer, ACH, or wire.
9. Sovrn Commerce (formerly VigLink)
Not display ads but worth including: Sovrn Commerce turns product mentions and outbound merchant links into affiliate links automatically across 50,000+ merchants, so you earn on sales without joining each program.
Payment: Monthly payments via PayPal.
10. BuySellAds and Carbon
BuySellAds sells sponsorships and ad placements on sites with developer, design, and tech audiences, and its Carbon network shows a single tasteful ad per page. It is selective and only makes sense for those niches, but rates are high and ads are unobtrusive.
Payment: Monthly payments via PayPal or check.
11. Adsterra
Adsterra accepts sites of any size and traffic from any country, with display banners, native ads, social bar, and popunder formats. Earnings per visitor are lower than the premium networks and some formats are intrusive, so use only display and native units if you care about reader experience.
Payment: $5 minimum via Paxum or WebMoney, higher for PayPal and wire.
12. Bidvertiser
Bidvertiser is one of the oldest direct advertising networks, paying per click on text and banner ads, with no traffic minimum and no country restrictions. It is a fallback for new sites that cannot get into the networks above. See how to make money with Bidvertiser.
Payment: $10 minimum via PayPal.
A Simple Path From First Ad to Premium Network
- 0 to 1,000 visits a month: AdSense (or Ezoic). Focus on content; ad income is small at this stage.
- 1,000 to 25,000: Ezoic or Journey by Mediavine.
- 10,000 pageviews and up: Monumetric is an option.
- 25,000 pageviews (mostly Tier 1 traffic): apply to Raptive.
- 50,000 sessions: apply to Mediavine as well, and compare offers.
Whatever network you use, ads work best on informational posts. Keep them off your money posts where an affiliate recommendation earns more, and see our list of AdSense alternatives for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ad network pays the most?
Raptive and Mediavine typically pay the highest RPMs because they manage ads with many demand partners and high-value placements, but they require established traffic.
Can I use more than one ad network?
Yes, with care. AdSense, Media.net, and Infolinks can run together. Premium managers such as Mediavine and Raptive usually require exclusivity for display ads.
Do ads slow down my blog?
They can. Mediavine, Raptive, and Ezoic lazy-load ads and optimize for Core Web Vitals; avoid popunder and push formats if speed and reader experience matter.
What is a good RPM for a blog?
With AdSense, $1 to $10 is common. Premium managers often reach $15 to $40 on US traffic in strong niches like finance, food, and home.
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