How to monetize my blog?
For beginner bloggers and app publishers, turning traffic into revenue is easier today thanks to ad networks. Display networks like Adsterra, in-text ad platforms like Infolinks, and content-locking CPA networks like OGAds each offer simple ways to earn money. Each uses a different model (CPM, CPC or CPA), so you can mix and match them for best results. In this guide we explain how each works, their strengths and weaknesses, and best practices for maximizing your income.
Adsterra
Adsterra is a popular ad network specializing in CPM (cost-per-mille) advertising. It accepts new publishers quickly and pays for impressions, clicks or conversions. As Adsterra puts it, “Google AdSense and Adsterra are among the most well-known (easy to start, regular payouts, transparent results)”. In practice, this means you simply sign up (just minutes of setup) and paste an ad script on your site or app – no minimum traffic required.
Adsterra offers many high-paying ad formats. For example, Popunder ads open in a new tab behind the main window (so they don’t disrupt content) and often yield stable high CPMs. Adsterra also provides native ads, banners, interstitials, push notifications, and a proprietary Smartlink (direct link) format for monetizing social traffic or apps. In one Adsterra example, a gaming blog earned a $15 CPM by using their ads. These features mean Adsterra can deliver “high and stable CPM rates”, 100% ad fill, and multiple lucrative formats.
Pros: Adsterra’s strengths include high payouts and many ad types. The network boasts over 15,000 reputable advertisers and 220,000+ exclusive offers, so fill rates are effectively 100%. It also has an in-house Partner Care team, and pays weekly via crypto, PayPal, or bank transfer.
Cons: One drawback is that some formats (like popunders) are blocked on iOS devices, so iPhone/iPad users may not see them. Also, too many popups can irritate users, so you should “balance ad placements” to avoid overwhelming readers. Overall, Adsterra works best if you have quality traffic and engage visitors with relevant content.
Infolinks
Infolinks uses contextual in-text and in-frame ads to monetize your existing content space. You just include a small script, and it will find keywords on your pages to turn into ads or place banner ads in unused space. This model is paid per click (CPC), so you earn whenever a visitor clicks an ad link. Because Infolinks runs on “200,000 websites around the world” and analyzes trillions of keywords, it’s the third-largest publisher network. In fact, publishers have earned over $100 million from Infolinks ads to date, showing that even ordinary blogs can generate steady income.
Pros: Infolinks is easy to integrate and works on any blog or app. It has no strict traffic requirements, so even small sites can earn. Its unique formats (like in-text links and search frame ads) let you monetize space that might otherwise be blank. Since ads are contextually targeted, relevance is usually high, which can improve click rates.
Cons: The downside is that Infolinks usually pays less per ad click than display networks pay per impression. Because it’s CPC-based, niches with low ad prices will earn less. Also, it requires content with enough context (keywords) to generate ads; very short or static pages may earn little. In short, Infolinks is a great “set-and-forget” income stream, but usually best used in combination with other networks for higher overall revenue.
OGAds
OGAds is a content-locking CPA (cost-per-action) network primarily for mobile and desktop traffic. Instead of showing display ads, OGAds lets you “lock” premium content (an e-book, video, app download, etc.) behind an offer wall or survey. Visitors must complete an advertiser’s offer (e.g. install an app, fill a form) before seeing the content. When they do, you earn a payout. Because OGAds focuses on CPA, payouts can be much higher per user than CPM or CPC. OGAds advertises over 25,000 active publishers and weekly payments via many methods, making it friendly for beginners once you learn the system.
Pros: OGAds can yield very high revenue for certain traffic – especially mobile users and tech/geek niches. It’s easy to integrate (usually just a line of code for the locker) and has many affiliate offers to choose from. The platform provides tutorials and even live support to help publishers switch from other networks. Weekly payouts and multiple payment options add convenience.
Cons: Because OGAds relies on CPA offers, it works best when visitors are willing to do something (like download or sign up). If your traffic isn’t motivated, earnings may be low. Also, some offers may not be allowed in certain countries or platforms. In practice, OGAds is most profitable for app developers or bloggers with engaged audiences; casual blogs may find it more complex than simple ad networks.
Comparison of Adsterra, Infolinks, and OGAds
| Platform | Model | Primary Earnings | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Adsterra] | CPM/CPC/CPA (Display) | Per 1,000 views or clicks | High CPMs, many ad formats (popunder, push, Smartlink) | Popunders blocked on iOS; too many ads can annoy users |
| [Infolinks] | CPC (In-text/In-frame) | Per click (CPC) | Simple to set up; no traffic minimum; monetizes unused space | Lower per-click revenue; needs content with keywords |
| [OGAds] | CPA (Content lock) | Per completed offer | Very high payouts for actions; weekly payouts; 25k+ publishers | Requires incentivized traffic; offers may be region-specific |
Income Strategies and Best Practices
- Drive Traffic First: All ad networks depend on visitors. Invest in SEO and content marketing to increase organic traffic. Regularly add valuable articles or videos in your niche to grow and retain an audience. (For example, targeting a specific niche like tech or health can boost engagement.) Aim for at least 1,000 daily visits as a starting benchmark, though you can monetize smaller sites too.
- Combine Networks: Use multiple income streams. For instance, display ads from Adsterra and in-text ads from Infolinks can run together without conflict. (Adsterra can even fill visits Infolinks doesn’t monetize, and vice versa.) You can also mix affiliate links and sponsored posts as your blog grows.
- Optimize Ad Placement: Use your analytics to test ad positions and formats. Adsterra recommends grouping and analyzing each placement. Place ads where they get attention (e.g. near content or between posts), but always “balance ad placements” so readers aren’t overwhelmed. A/B testing different formats (banner vs. push vs. in-text) will show which earns most in your case.
- Improve User Experience: Faster sites get more views and better ad fill. Don’t overload with too many ads or too heavy graphics. For example, popunder ads are effective, but use only one popunder script per page to avoid crashes. Also consider mobile users: use responsive ads and avoid auto-playing audio/video ads that can chase visitors away.
- Follow Policies: Read each network’s rules. Adsterra and OGAds accept almost all content, but some offer types (e.g. gambling, fake downloads) may require age verification or be disallowed. Infolinks won’t work on sites with little text. Stay compliant to avoid bans and ensure steady payments.
Conclusion
Monetizing your blog or app is very much within reach for beginners. By placing ads from Adsterra and Infolinks on your site, you tap into large ad networks with proven earning potential. Adding OGAds content locking can further boost revenue when you have engaged traffic. Remember the basics: produce quality content, grow your audience, and experiment with ad formats. With patience and the right strategy, even a small blog or app can become a reliable income source.
Ready to earn? Sign up through these links to start monetizing your traffic today: Adsterra, Infolinks, and OGAds.
Sources: Industry blogs and network sites confirm that Adsterra is a top CPM ad network, Infolinks reaches 350K+ sites (with $100M+ paid out), and OGAds is a major CPA content-locking platform. Best practices like SEO and ad optimization are well-documented by these networks.
