Key Points

  • Variety and Simplicity in Tools: The best tools for monetizing your blog should offer a range of easy-to-use capabilities and features to enhance revenue without overwhelming you with complexity.
  • Strategic Support and Partnerships: Choose a tool or platform that views you as a partner and provides tailored strategies and support to help you set and achieve higher performance goals and gain a competitive edge.
  • Growth and Cross-Platform Potential: Consider monetization platforms with cross-platform capabilities, enabling you to scale and monetize beyond just your blog as your digital presence grows.

Whether you’re a budding blogger testing the waters of monetization for the first time or an established digital entrepreneur looking to increase the earnings from your rapidly growing audience, the right tooling matters.

For better or worse, your choices are as diverse as the world of content creation.

You’ve got everything from massive behemoths helmed by some of the world’s largest companies to fledgling startups looking to make a name for themselves in the deep waters of digital advertising — and everything in between.

Add to that the explosion of ad monetization platforms in the last few years, and you can see why picking the right monetization partner is a big decision for any blogger, no matter the size of their audience.

So, when it comes to the best tools for blog monetization, what do you need to know? 

Let’s explore today’s top monetization tools and see who’s got the goods to make your content shine and your revenue grow.

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What to Look For in a Monetization Partner

Before we break down the monetization market and explore some of the options available to you, it’s important to understand the rule book. That's to say, the way you should evaluate these tech-savvy candidates.

As you compare each monetization tool, here are a few key factors to keep in mind.

Technology

Monetization tools should make your life easier. They shouldn’t wear you down with useless features and complexities with a ridiculous learning curve. The technology that powers your monetization strategy should help you meet your goals while freeing up time for what’s most important: crafting killer content. 

It’s all a balance, one that we here at Playwire have down to a science. Our RAMP Platform is what we like to call, a triple-threat: simple, intelligent, and powerful. Our technology includes the latest and greatest in advanced ad tech without all the integration headaches so you can spend less time getting an ad strategy in place and more time pampering the star of the show: your content.

Ad Units

If you're considering advertising as your chosen monetization path, you have to consider ad units and ad layout. There’s no secret sauce to ad units; it’s all about experimentation.That’s why it’s so important to ensure your chosen monetization partner offers a wide variety of ad units for you to explore.

Banner ads? Rewarded video? In-content? Sidebar? Always make sure you’ve got the ad units you need to compliment your content and existing layout, rather than detracting from the user experience.

Support

Most companies are happy to set you up and send you one your way. But, this strategy lacks the personal touch that drives optimized success.

Finding a platform is one thing, but finding a partner is another thing entirely. Take your time reviewing your options to ensure you select the one that treats you like a partner, not just another client. 

When you have a partner that works with you from both a creative and technical standpoint, you get access to tailored approaches that fit your vertical like a glove. The result is increased engagement, maximized revenue, and an edge against the competition.

Cross-Platform Capabilities

Sure, you’re a blogger today, but what if your dreams go beyond one website?

If growth is on the mind, cross-platform capabilities should too. Now, not every company will venture into the waters of mobile or desktop applications. In fact, it's quite rare. But, when it comes time to monetize within that new environment, you want a partner that can grow with your ambition and has the technology in place to do so.

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The 6 Best Tools for Monetizing a Blog

Now that we’ve got the evaluation criteria out of the way, it’s time for the main event. Let’s dive into the top monetization tools for bloggers.

Playwire

Taking the top spot, of course, is Playwire. We believe our tools outperform the competition across virtually every key performance metric. But don’t take our word for it; explore our in-depth comparison to see the results yourself.

The RAMP Platform provides a comprehensive set of ad tech tools to help you master monetization and hone in on the perfect balance between user experience and revenue generation. 

From consent management and brand safety tools, to our built-in GDPR and CCPA compliant data management platform (DMP), Playwire does it all. Over the past 15 years, we've established the Playwire brand as, first and foremost, an advocate for every publisher on our platform. 

Our publisher-partner-focused approach helps us stand out in a market packed with quick fixes and one-size-fits-all solutions. Need more convincing? Ask our partners.

Google AdSense

No list on blog monetization would be complete without a nod to Google AdSense. There’s a reason that most publishers and content creators start their monetization journey with AdSense.

Setup is a breeze, and once you get approved, you have access to a no-fuss dashboard that allows you to customize the appearance and placement of ads. This creates a seamless integration into your blog’s overall design.

While it might lack the robust suite of tools that other monetization platforms offer (something that you will want to consider as you grow), it’s still a powerhouse in the blogging world. 

Learn More About Google AdSense

Raptive

Raptive, which recently joined forces with Cafemedia and AdThrive, offers a diverse selection of ad formats like banner ads, video ads, and native ads. They also work with a huge list of publishers across various verticals.

By blending the tech behind Raptive, Cafemedia, and AdThrive under one brand, bloggers get access to a large suite of ad management tools.

Learn More About Raptive

Mediavine

Want to sit back and watch the monetization machine hum along? Well, Mediavine might be a good tool for you. They’re all about full-service ad management. 

They do all the heavy lifting so you can focus on building your business. Like Playwire, they put publishers first. But, if you’re searching for a more customized approach, other platforms might be better candidates for your content.

Learn More About Mediavine

Freestar

Up next is Freestar. This ad monetization platform packs in a plethora of helpful tools. The goal? Helping bloggers like you maximize revenue from their content.

Freestar touts advanced machine learning to optimize ad placements for higher CPMs and improved fill rates. But, more than that, Freestar provides tools that allow you to manage ad inventory and customize ad products.

Learn More About Freestar

Affiliate marketing networks

Monetization isn’t all about ads. In fact, an effective blog monetization strategy should have multiple fronts. Diversification is key, and affiliate marketing is a great supplemental way to expand your revenue streams.

For this monetization tool, you may want to explore popular services like Amazon Associates or ShareASale. In most cases, you’ll be met with an easy-to-use platform that connects your blog with the right products and services. If you follow best practices for affiliate marketing, expect to see the commissions rolling in and your audience as happy as ever.

Start Your Monetization Journey with Playwire

So, there you have it — a list of all the top tools for blog monetization. As you can see, your content has plenty of great options when it comes to building revenue.

But great doesn’t quite cut it for our partners, so if you’re on the hunt for the best, you already know the answer; it’s Playwire.

Our goal is simple: give you the tools you need to grow and let your content shine — all while maximizing revenue. 

Sounds good? Contact the team today to learn more about how to get started.

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More on the Ad Tech Ecosystem

Are you interested in reviewing all your ad tech options but unsure where to begin given the complexity of the industry? Don't fret, Playwire has your back!

Learn more about all the players and tools that are available across the ad tech landscape with our Ad Tech Ecosystem, which is updated regularly, and includes information on ad networks, native ad solutions, consent management partners, data management platforms, and everything in between!