The Complete Ad Monetization Resource Center

There are dozens of ways to do ad monetization. Each time there is a major development in ad tech or the internet at large, we get even more methods of monetizing with ads.

With that said, here are some of the most common methods of ad monetization:

• Banner ads
• Video ads
• Contextual ads
• Native ads
• Interstitial ads
• Rewarded ads
• Ads sold via direct sales
• Ads sold via programmatic advertising

Each of these ad types and strategies comes with its own sets of pros and cons, but most publishers use one or more methods described above.

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While the vast majority of digital advertising is now done via automated and highly modern methods like programmatic advertising, direct-sold ads remain a key part of many publishers' ad monetization strategies.

There's a great reason for that: Direct sales can lead to higher CPMs for every ad impression. When you have enough brand recognition as a publisher to get the attention of advertisers or direct buyers, you can command higher prices for the privilege of reaching your unique audience.

The tools you will need to monetize your website with ads will depend heavily on the method of advertising you choose. If you want to go all-in on programmatic advertising without relying solely on an all-in-one prebuilt ad monetization platform, you will likely need the following tools in your ad tech stack:

• An ad server
• Ad exchanges
• Ad networks
• Supply-side platforms (SSPs)
• A data management platform (DMP)
• A consent management platform (CMP)
• A header bidding wrapper
• A list of header bidding demand sources

Learn more about all of the components of the ad tech stack in detail.

Desktop and mobile app developers can and often do monetize their apps with advertising. Many of the same tools and techniques used in web advertising apply to app advertising, although their setup and implementation usually involve integrating various software development kits (SDKs). 

While each individual app ad unit, tool, and demand source may look somewhat different for in-app advertising compared to web advertising, an app monetization strategy is just as important a source of revenue for many app publishers.