The Complete ad network Resource Center

A common mistake that publishers make when weaving through mountains of information on ad tech solutions and providers is confusing ad monetization platforms for ad networks. While many ad monetization platforms include the features and functionalities of a traditional ad network, ad monetization platforms are one of their own.

So, what is an ad monetization platform?

An ad monetization platform is an "all-in-one" solution meant to help you manage the ads on your website, desktop app, or mobile app without you having to step into the weeds of building out a full tech stack. You can consider it the "easy" button for ad management.

If this sounds more like what you are interested in, check out our breakdown of the best ad monetization platforms, and get a better understanding of how ad networks and ad monetization platforms differ in this article.

For the most part, not really. In the early days of digital advertising, ad networks provided benefits to both publishers and advertisers. However, as the demand for pricing transparency increased, people started looking for more transparent alternatives. As a result, the relevance of ad networks in the ad tech landscape of 2023 has diminished.

Learn more about the specifics of what ad networks did that caused people to seek alternative options by clicking below.

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An ad server is a piece of technology that allows an advertiser to place their ads on publishers' websites, mobile apps, desktop apps, and over-the-top (OTT) channels. It's really a piece of code that occupies space on a physical server.

On the other hand, an ad network is not in the business of serving ads. Instead, it's in the business of buying a publisher's ad impression and reselling it to an advertiser - facilitating the connection between the two and taking the difference between the ad impression purchase and sale prices as profit.

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An ad exchange serves as a trading platform where publishers and advertisers can engage in transactions. On the other hand, an ad network acts as a facilitator for this trade, functioning more like a vendor.

There are three key factors that differentiate ad networks from ad exchanges:

• Revenue
• Customers
• Functionality

Explore further by reading this article.

When selecting the ideal mobile ad network, there are two key factors to keep in mind that can make a significant difference:

• Brand safety: It's crucial to look into their fraud prevention policies, ad quality, and read reviews from other users on platforms like G2 or TrustRadius. Doing this will help you protect your brand and reputation in the mobile advertising space. 

• Ad format compatibility: It's important to note that not all ad networks support your preferred ad format. Opting for an option that not only aligns with your chosen format but also specializes in video, display, in-game, or native ads will greatly impact your revenue potential and enhance user experience.

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When it comes to ad networks, Google stands out as the top choice. Google tends to stay on the cutting edge of the industries in which it operates, and that has led to Google AdSense becoming one of the top ad networks connecting advertisers and publishers across both web and mobile advertising.

Read on to learn how to use Google's ad network!

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