Best Ad Networks For Small Publishers (2025)

As a small publisher, I know the sting of rejection all too well—my Google AdSense approval got denied multiple times before I finally cracked it. If you’re facing the same struggle, don’t sweat it! After ditching Ezoic due to its tech nightmares (more on that in my Ezoic Review ), I’ve explored other options. In this article, I’m sharing the 5+ best ad networks for small publishers and new bloggers to monetize your blog without the AdSense hassle—or Ezoic’s headaches.

Whenever we talk about ad networks for bloggers, Google AdSense pops up first. But its rules can trip you up. You need decent organic traffic and content that toes their policy line—plus, in places like India or China, they still ask for a domain at least 6 months old. That said, I’ve learned it’s not a hard rule everywhere; in the US or Europe, quality content can get you approved faster, even with a newer site. I’ve been there, refreshing my inbox for that approval email that never came until I got it right.

Note: If you haven’t applied for AdSense yet or need help setting up an account, check out my Google AdSense Tutorial for step-by-step signup details. And if Ezoic’s your vibe but you’re curious about other paths, peek at my 10+ Top Ezoic Alternatives for Higher Ad Revenue (2025) for options I’ve tested post-Ezoic—some overlap with this list!

Enough about AdSense—let’s dive into the best ad networks for small publishers in 2025, especially after I waved goodbye to Ezoic’s server errors and poor support.

5+ Best Ad Networks For Small Publishers For Online Earning

1. Adsterra

When I started blogging, Adsterra was a game-changer—no traffic minimums, just a quick approval. Unlike Ezoic, which tanked my site with 5xx errors (detailed in my How to Remove a Website from Ezoic (2025 Guide), Adsterra’s been smooth so far. They claim to be the best for small publishers, and I’m testing it out to see if it beats my old setups.

• Why It’s Great: A global ad network with a Partner Care approach, loved by bloggers as a top AdSense alternative.
• Key Features:
  • Accepts all legal traffic (desktop, mobile, social, etc.).
  • $5 minimum payout via PayPal, Bitcoin, Wire, etc.
  • Ad formats like Popunders, Banners, and the unique Social Bar.
• Best For: Newbies with low or no traffic who want fast monetization.
• What’s Social Bar?: A high-CTR format (10-30x boost) that looks like friendly notifications—dynamic, mobile-friendly, and doesn’t hog space.
• Pros:
  • 1-minute moderation.
  • Competitive CPMs and 100% fill rate.
  • Anti-AdBlock boosts revenue up to 35%.
• Cons:
  • Traffic must be clean (no bots).
  • Popunders might annoy some users.
• Tip: Try Social Bar for a revenue kick—I’m curious how it’ll stack up against Ezoic’s clunky ads.
• Apply Today: Join Adsterra (#).

2. AdMaven

AdMaven caught my eyeballs when I needed instant monetization for a fresh blog. After Ezoic deindexed 80% of my pages, I swore off waiting months for approvals—I even wrote How to Turn off Ezoic Ads Without Affecting Revenue to cope before bailing entirely. AdMaven’s zero-traffic entry is a lifesaver for newbies like me back then.

• Why It’s Great: A leading ad network with no traffic minimum—perfect for small publishers.
• Key Features:
  • 8 ad formats: Pop-ups, Native Push, Interstitial, etc.
  • $50 minimum payout ($1,000 for wire) via PayPal, Bitcoin, etc.
  • Instant approval and 24/7 support.
• Best For: Bloggers who can’t wait 3-6 months for AdSense or Media.net.
• Pros:
  • No traffic needed to start.
  • High CPMs for Pop-ups—I recommend these.
• Cons:
  • $50 payout feels steep for tiny blogs.
  • Pop-ups can bug readers if overdone.
• Tip: Stick to Pop-ups for max earnings—I’m testing if they beat Adsterra’s rates.
• Apply Today: Publishers (#) | Email: publishers@ad-maven.com.

3. Media.net

Media.net’s my next experiment after escaping Ezoic’s tech chaos—and its sneaky costs like the Ezoic Premium Termination Fee , I wish I’d known about sooner. With decent US/UK traffic on my English blog, it’s tempting—especially with that 10% bonus for the first three months. No server errors yet, fingers crossed!

• Why It’s Great: A contextual ad network by Yahoo, second only to AdSense.
• Key Features:
  • No strict traffic minimum (but performs best with decent flow).
  • $100 minimum payout via PayPal or wire.
  • Extra 10% commission for first 3 months (e.g., $100 becomes $110).
• Best For: Small publishers with English content and US/UK readers.
• Pros:
  • Easy WordPress setup.
  • Strong targeting beats Ezoic’s mess.
• Cons:
  • Slow earnings without traffic.
  • Approval isn’t instant like AdMaven.
• Tip: Push US/UK traffic to cash in on that bonus—I’ll update you on my results!
• Apply Today: Publishers (#).

4. PopAds

PopAds saved me when traffic was a trickle and Ezoic was a bust. With no minimum traffic and a $5 payout, it’s a low-barrier gem for small publishers like me starting out—way simpler than wrestling with Ezoic’s removal process.

• Why It’s Great: A CPM-focused network with high payouts for low-traffic sites.
• Key Features:
  • No traffic minimum—earn from day one.
  • $5 minimum payout via PayPal or Payoneer.
  • $4 avg. revenue per 1,000 US visitors.
• Best For: New blogs needing quick cash without traffic hurdles.
• Pros:
  • Super low payout threshold.
  • Easy to join and use.
• Cons:
  • Pop-ups can annoy readers.
  • Earnings drop outside US traffic.
• Tip: Pair with light content to balance user experience—I’m testing it again post-Ezoic.
• Apply Today: Publishers | Read my PopAds guide (#).

5. Infolinks

Infolinks feels like a breath of fresh air after Ezoic’s intrusive ads trashed my site’s speed. Its in-text ads don’t hog space, making it a subtle win for small publishers like me who value user experience over Ezoic’s chaos.

• Why It’s Great: An ad network using in-text ads that blend into content.
• Key Features:
  • No space needed—just text-based ads.
  • $50 minimum payout via PayPal, wire, etc.
  • No traffic minimum, but scales with volume.
• Best For: Blogs with decent traffic wanting non-intrusive monetization.
• Pros:
  • Doesn’t clutter your layout.
  • Easy to layer with other networks.
• Cons:
  • Needs traffic to shine.
  • $50 payout takes time with low clicks.
• Tip: Use it alongside PopAds for a combo boost—I’m eyeing this for my next site.
• Apply Today: Publishers (#).

Additional Ad Networks

• PropellerAds: Similar to PopAds, with easy WordPress integration via plugin. No traffic minimum, $5 payout. Great for pop-ups, but watch user experience—I ditched Ezoic partly for this reason.
• RevenueHits: CPA-focused—earn big ($10-$15) per action like email signups. $50 payout via PayPal or wire. Tricky with low conversions, unlike Ezoic’s blanket CPM approach.
• Bidvertiser: $10 payout via PayPal, multiple ad formats. Quality’s meh—clicks are rare. Ezoic’s tech issues were worse, but this isn’t my top pick either.
• Instant Articles: Facebook’s ad tool, $100 payout. Stack it with others—I’d take this over Ezoic’s server woes any day.

Conclusion

After dumping Ezoic for its server crashes and zero support—check my Ezoic Review (#) for the full scoop—I’ve found these ad networks to be legit lifelines for small publishers. Adsterra and AdMaven top my list for instant starts, while Media.net’s bonus tempts me next. Note: Always check each network’s latest policies—they shift fast, and I learned that the hard way with Ezoic’s Premium Termination Fee (#). Which ad network works for you? Drop a comment—I’ll share my test results soon!