Adsterra vs AdSense: Which is Better for You?

Introduction: Choosing the Right Ad Network

When it comes to monetizing a website or blog, one of the most popular methods is through display ads. There are numerous ad networks available, but Adsterra and AdSense are two of the most commonly compared options. Both of these platforms promise to help website owners make money, but each has its own set of features, advantages, and drawbacks.

In this blog post, we will compare Adsterra vs AdSense, breaking down their key differences, benefits, and challenges. By the end of this post, you will have a clearer understanding of which ad network might be the best fit for your website’s monetization strategy.

What is AdSense?

Google AdSense is one of the most popular ad networks in the world, allowing website owners to earn money by displaying ads on their site. AdSense uses a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning website owners get paid when visitors click on the ads.

Features of AdSense

Ad Placement: Google AdSense automatically places ads on your site based on its content. It uses machine learning to serve relevant ads to your visitors.

Ad Types: AdSense offers display ads, text ads, and video ads that are easy to integrate.

Global Reach: Being a Google product, AdSense connects to advertisers globally, giving website owners access to a wide pool of advertisers.

Pros of AdSense

• Trusted Brand: Google’s reputation is a major advantage when it comes to AdSense.
• Reliable Payments: AdSense has a reputation for being reliable in terms of payments and support.
• Content-Driven Ads: Ads served are highly relevant to the content of your website, increasing the chances of clicks.

Cons of AdSense

• Strict Approval Process: New websites or blogs may have a hard time getting approved, especially if they don’t have enough content or traffic.
• Revenue Limits: AdSense can limit the types of ads you display or how much you earn, depending on the content and traffic quality.
• Ads May Be Irrelevant: Even though Google tries to display relevant ads, sometimes the ads can be irrelevant to the audience, leading to lower engagement and revenue.

What is Adsterra?

Adsterra is an alternative ad network to AdSense. It is known for providing a variety of monetization methods, including display ads, pop-unders, direct links, and more. Adsterra is a versatile platform that focuses on helping publishers earn revenue through different ad formats.

Features of Adsterra

Multiple Ad Formats: Adsterra offers a wider variety of ad formats, including banners, pop-ups, interstitials, and push notifications.

Self-Serve Platform: Adsterra has a self-serve platform where you can easily manage campaigns, track performance, and make adjustments in real time.

Global Network: Similar to AdSense, Adsterra connects advertisers to a global network of publishers, which opens up more monetization opportunities.

Pros of Adsterra

• Easy Approval: Unlike AdSense, Adsterra has an easier approval process, which makes it a great option for new websites or those with limited content.
• Higher CPM Rates: Adsterra offers competitive CPM (Cost Per Mille) rates, allowing website owners to earn more money per thousand impressions.
• Diverse Ad Formats: Adsterra’s wide range of ad formats allows you to experiment with different types of ads to see what works best for your audience.

Cons of Adsterra

• Less Brand Recognition: Adsterra is not as well-known as AdSense, which may deter some website owners from trusting the platform.
• Ad Quality: While Adsterra offers a variety of ad formats, the quality of ads may not always be as high as AdSense’s offerings.
• Support Issues: Some users report slower customer support responses, which could be an issue if you run into technical difficulties

Adsterra vs AdSense: Key Differences

Approval Process

One of the key differences between AdSense and Adsterra is the approval process. AdSense tends to be stricter when approving websites. If your website is new or doesn’t have substantial traffic, it might be difficult to get approved.

Adsterra, on the other hand, is known for having a more relaxed approval process. This is beneficial for new bloggers and smaller websites, as you can start monetizing your site much quicker.

Monetization Options

Both AdSense and Adsterra offer monetization through display ads, but Adsterra takes it a step further by offering additional formats such as pop-unders, push notifications, and interstitials. This variety allows publishers to experiment with different types of ads to find the most effective option for their audience.

AdSense, however, offers only a limited number of ad formats. While these options are effective, they may not be as versatile as the ones available on Adsterra.

Revenue Potential

When it comes to revenue, AdSense usually delivers steady earnings, especially for well-established websites with significant traffic. However, AdSense pays per click or per impression, and the rates can fluctuate based on competition and the nature of the ads.

Adsterra, with its higher CPM rates and multiple monetization options, has the potential to earn you more revenue, especially if you’re able to leverage more lucrative ad formats like pop-unders or direct links.

Traffic Requirements

AdSense requires websites to have a certain amount of traffic before approving them. If you are just starting out, it can be difficult to meet these requirements.

Adsterra, however, accepts websites with lower traffic and offers a faster approval process. If you’re a beginner, Adsterra could be a more viable option.

Ad Relevance

Google AdSense uses machine learning to show ads that are relevant to your site content. The idea is that relevant ads will generate more clicks and higher revenue.

Adsterra, although it tries to match ads to the content, might not always be as relevant, which could lead to lower engagement rates compared to AdSense’s highly-targeted ads.

Which is Better: Adsterra or AdSense?

When to Choose AdSense

• Established Websites: If your website already has a steady flow of traffic, AdSense is an excellent choice.
• Ad Relevance: If you want highly-targeted ads that match your content and audience’s interests, AdSense is the way to go.
• Reliability and Trust: Google AdSense is a trusted name, offering guaranteed payments and excellent customer support.

When to Choose Adsterra

• New Websites: If you’re just starting out, Adsterra offers an easier approval process, allowing you to start monetizing sooner.
• Experimentation with Ad Formats: If you want to try different ad formats like push notifications or pop-ups, Adsterra is more versatile.
• Higher CPM Rates: Adsterra is ideal for publishers looking to maximize revenue, particularly if they have a good volume of traffic but not necessarily the most engagement.

Conclusion

Both Adsterra and AdSense are solid ad networks, but they cater to different types of publishers. AdSense is best suited for well-established websites looking for reliable, high-quality ads that match their content. On the other hand, Adsterra offers flexibility, diverse ad formats, and higher CPM rates, making it ideal for new websites or those looking to try different monetization strategies.

The best choice depends on your website’s traffic, content, and your monetization goals. If you’re a beginner or have a smaller website, Adsterra might be a better fit, whereas AdSense is perfect for experienced site owners with more traffic.

By understanding the differences between these two ad networks, you can make an informed decision and start maximizing your website’s revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Adsterra vs AdSense

1. What is the main difference between Adsterra and AdSense?

The main difference between Adsterra and AdSense lies in their approval processes, monetization options, and ad formats. AdSense is stricter in its approval process and is best for established websites with significant traffic. It offers mostly display and text ads. Adsterra, on the other hand, offers a wider range of ad formats such as pop-ups, push notifications, and interstitials, and is more lenient with website approval, making it a great option for new websites.

2. Which ad network pays better: Adsterra or AdSense?

Adsterra has the potential to pay better than AdSense, especially for websites with moderate traffic. It offers higher CPM (Cost Per Mille) rates and additional monetization options like pop-ups and direct links. While AdSense offers steady payments and high-quality, content-driven ads, its revenue is typically lower due to its pay-per-click (PPC) model.

3. Can I use Adsterra and AdSense on the same website?

Yes, you can use both Adsterra and AdSense on the same website, as long as you comply with each platform’s terms of service. Many publishers use multiple ad networks to diversify their revenue streams. However, it is important to ensure that ad placements do not violate either platform’s policies, especially regarding ad overlap and excessive ads.

4. How hard is it to get approved for AdSense?

Getting approved for AdSense can be challenging for new websites or those with limited traffic. Google requires websites to have substantial content, good user experience, and consistent traffic before approving AdSense. Websites also need to meet specific content guidelines. It may take time to build up the necessary requirements for approval.

5. Is Adsterra good for beginners?

Yes, Adsterra is a great option for beginners, as it has a more relaxed approval process compared to AdSense. This allows new website owners to start monetizing quickly. Additionally, Adsterra offers a variety of ad formats that can be tested to find the most profitable option for your audience.

6. Do AdSense ads work well for mobile users?

Yes, AdSense has mobile-optimized ad formats that work well across different devices. Google automatically adjusts the size and type of ads based on the device being used. This makes AdSense a strong option for mobile users, as it ensures a seamless experience for both desktop and mobile visitors.

7. How quickly can I start earning with Adsterra?

Since Adsterra has an easier approval process, you can start earning as soon as your site is approved and your ads are live. However, how much you earn depends on your traffic volume, the ad formats used, and the engagement levels. Websites with higher traffic and better engagement tend to earn more.

8. What types of ads does AdSense offer?

AdSense primarily offers display ads (banner ads), text ads, and video ads. These ads are tailored to match the content of your website, using Google’s machine learning algorithms to serve relevant ads to your audience. You can also use Google’s AdSense Auto Ads feature to let Google automatically decide where to place ads on your website.

9. Can Adsterra be used for websites with low traffic?

Yes, Adsterra is ideal for websites with low traffic. Unlike AdSense, which has strict traffic requirements, Adsterra accepts sites with smaller traffic volumes. This makes it a good option for new or growing websites that want to start earning money from day one.

10. How does Adsterra handle payments?

Adsterra offers a variety of payment options, including wire transfers, PayPal, and WebMoney. The payment thresholds and frequency may vary depending on your payment method, but generally, you can expect to receive payments on a monthly basis or upon reaching a minimum payout threshold.

11. Is AdSense better for large websites?

Yes, AdSense is often preferred by larger websites due to its higher-quality, content-targeted ads, and the wide reach it offers. If your website receives significant traffic, AdSense can generate a steady stream of revenue, especially if you have content in niches that attract competitive ad bids.

12. Does Adsterra support video ads?

Yes, Adsterra supports video ads, including in-banner video ads and interstitial video ads. This provides another monetization option for publishers who want to engage their audience with more interactive content. Video ads are particularly effective for websites with rich multimedia content, such as blogs, media, or entertainment sites.

13. Which network is easier to integrate with my website?

Both Adsterra and AdSense offer relatively simple integration. For AdSense, you can use the code snippets provided by Google to place ads on your website. Adsterra also provides easy-to-install ad codes and offers additional features like pop-under ads, which are slightly more complex to implement but come with detailed instructions.

14. How much traffic do I need for AdSense?

While there is no specific minimum traffic requirement for AdSense, Google recommends having at least 100-200 visitors per day before applying. However, it’s important to have quality content and a good user experience. Websites with organic traffic and engaging content are more likely to be approved.

15. Are there any alternatives to Adsterra and AdSense?

Yes, there are several alternatives to Adsterra and AdSense, including:

• Media.net: A Yahoo! and Bing-powered ad network that offers content-targeted ads.
• PropellerAds: A display ad network offering pop-unders, interstitials, and push notifications.
• Amazon Associates: An affiliate program where you earn commissions by promoting Amazon products.

Each of these alternatives has its own pros and cons depending on your site’s niche, traffic, and monetization goals.

These frequently asked questions should help clarify the key differences and considerations when choosing between Adsterra and AdSense. Whether you are just starting out or already have an established website, both platforms offer distinct advantages and can help you monetize your content effectively.