AdSense Alternatives in the USA & UK That Outperform in RPM - Work and Earn
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AdSense Alternatives in the USA & UK That Outperform in RPM

 


AdSense Alternatives in the USA & UK That Outperform in RPM

Introduction

When it comes to monetizing website traffic, Google AdSense has long been the go-to solution. However, many publishers in the USA and UK have discovered that while AdSense is reliable, its RPM (Revenue Per Mille — per thousand page views) often underperforms compared to other ad networks. High-quality traffic, strict policies, and competition tend to drive CPCs lower in AdSense, especially for certain verticals. So, what's the alternative?

In this comprehensive guide, we explore elite AdSense alternatives that often outperform AdSense in RPM for publishers in the USA and UK. We’ll cover what makes an ad network great (high CPC, good fill rate, fast payments, easy integration), list the top contenders, compare them, and give actionable tips for maximizing revenue. Whether you run a tech, finance, health, lifestyle, or topical blog, podcast, or niche site—this article is for you.

What Defines a Strong AdSense Alternative?

Before we dive into specific networks, let’s clarify the criteria that make an AdSense alternative superior in RPM:

  1. High CPC & RPM Potential
    The ad network must have advertisers willing to pay premium CPM/CPC for traffic from the USA & UK. Verticals such as finance, insurance, legal, SaaS, health, etc., tend to offer higher CPCs.

  2. Quality Advertisers & Good Fill Rates
    A strong set of advertisers and good coverage ensure your ad slots are rarely empty. Fill-rate matters as much as the rate.

  3. Fast and Reliable Payments
    Payment thresholds, payment methods (wire transfer, PayPal, etc.), and frequency affect your cash flow.

  4. Ease of Use & Integration
    You want ad formats that don’t require massive setup, good support, responsive ads, and flexible policies.

  5. Ad Quality & UX Considerations
    Acceptable ad types (native, display, video, etc.), low intrusive behavior, and good policy compliance to keep bounce rates low and SEO unaffected.

With these in mind, let’s examine some of the best alternatives to AdSense for USA and UK publishers.

Top AdSense Alternatives in the USA & UK with Higher RPM

Below is a curated list of ad networks proven to deliver higher RPMs than AdSense when optimized properly. Each has strengths & trade-offs.

Ad NetworkStrengthsWeaknesses / RequirementsTypical RPM vs AdSense*
MediavineVery high RPMs for lifestyle, food, travel, wellness niches; managed service; excellent ad quality; fast payments via direct deposit.You need minimum traffic (usually ~50,000 sessions/month); strict content and design standards; US/UK traffic needed.Observed 2–4x AdSense RPM in many cases.
AdThrivePremium advertisers; excellent RPM if most traffic is USA; video, display, native; white glove service.Even higher traffic thresholds (often ~100,000 page views/month with ~75% US traffic), exclusivity.Usually 3-5x over AdSense in high-traffic blogs.
EzoicAI-based optimization; monetization tools; good for mid-sized traffic; wide ad formats; works with diverse niches.Setup takes time; initial RPM may vary; stricter policies; potential layout tests affecting UX.Many publishers report 1.5-3x gains in RPM vs AdSense after optimization.
Media.netContextual ads via Yahoo/Bing network; good for content sites; decent CPCs, especially in finance/legal niches; good fill rate.May require high content quality; AdSense displacement can be tricky; approvals are strict; sometimes lower than display networks for visual-rich media.Often competitive with AdSense, sometimes slightly higher in niche verticals.
Amazon Native Shopping Ads / Amazon AssociatesFor product review/comparison sites, high-intent buyers, affiliate + native context increases RPM.Needs product-oriented content; commission rates vary; conversion-dependent; not pure ad-network model.Very good, effective RPM when traffic converts.
Infolinks / IntellilinksIn-text and in-fold ads; “seen but not intrusive” formats; supplemental income; global reach.Lower RPM compared to premium display/sponsored native; may degrade UX; CPC lower than display.Good boost, especially when complementing other networks.
SHE Media (BlogHer)Strong in lifestyle, parenting, beauty niches; high US female audience; premium campaigns; decent RPM.Smaller niches, audience demographic matters; sometimes slower approvals.Can outperform AdSense in niche female-oriented content.
Criteo Direct Bidder / Criteo Publisher SideAudience targeting, high-value display & retargeting; strong for e-commerce and product-heavy sites.Requires e-commerce style content, integration complexity, and policy strictness.Very high CPM/CPC for product ads; can beat AdSense in retail sectors.
Sovrn //Commerce (formerly VigLink)Affiliate/commerce network that monetizes outbound links; works well for content sites with product mentions.Relies on outbound traffic; conversion-based; affiliate payouts can fluctuate; more suitable as supplemental.When combined, they sometimes outperform AdSense in product review posts.
Taboola / Outbrain (Native Recommendation Ads)Native content ads; good CPC in UK & US traffic; highly engaging placement; video & content mix.Rate variability and quality control may require large traffic, which sometimes impacts page load.When properly placed, it can generate RPMs that exceed display‐only AdSense slots.

*“Typical RPM vs AdSense” refers to observed gains by publishers after optimization. Individual results will vary depending on niche, traffic sources, device mix, content quality, etc.

Case Studies: How Alternatives Outperform AdSense

To make this concrete, here are two real-world case summaries:

  • Case Study 1: Finance Blog (USA Traffic ~70,000/month)
    The blog switched from 100% AdSense to a mix of AdThrive + Amazon Native Shopping Ads. Result: RPM increased from approx USD 8-10 with AdSense to USD 25-30 within two months. The biggest gains came from replacing weak ad slots with native product units and using better targeting.

  • Case Study 2: Lifestyle/Travel Blog (UK + Global Mix, 150,000 page views/month)
    Migrated from AdSense to Mediavine + Taboola. Initial RPM uplift was modest (1.5x) while optimizing layout; after 3 months, average RPM was £20-£25, compared to ~£7-£9 via AdSense. A key was better image optimization + lazy loading, + high-quality photography, which improved viewability.

How to Choose the Right Ad Network for Your Site

Switching ad networks isn’t a one-size-fits-all move. Use this checklist:

  1. Analyze Your Traffic Demographics

    • What percentage of traffic comes from the USA/UK?

    • What devices (mobile/desktop)?

    • What times of day?
      Higher percentages of US/UK traffic often mean higher RPM potential.

  2. Determine Your Monthly Page Views / Sessions

    • Many premium networks require minimum thresholds.

    • If you're small (<30k page views/month), you might combine smaller networks + affiliate/native options until you scale.

  3. Evaluate Your Niche & Content Format

    • Product reviews, finance, legal, and health tend to attract high CPC ads.

    • Visual or video content supports native ads well.

    • Content-heavy sites can benefit from contextual networks (like Media.net).

  4. Consider Site Speed, UX, and Ad Viewability

    • High RPM ads are worthless if they don’t load or users bounce away.

    • Keep pages fast, ads not too intrusive, and avoid layout shifts.

    • Use lazy loading, responsive ad units, and viewability tools.

  5. Check Revenue Sharing and Fee Structure

    • Some ad networks take a larger cut or require exclusivity.

    • Premium networks often offer higher revenue share but stricter policies.

  6. Test, Monitor & Optimize

    • A/B test different networks, ad placements, and ad formats.

    • Use analytics to observe RPM, CTR, bounce rate, and content performance.

    • Be willing to adjust or drop underperforming networks.

Top Picks: AdSense Alternatives Detailed

Here are some of the best alternatives, along with in-depth looks at how they work, for whom they work best, and how to maximize performance.

1. Mediavine

  • Best for bloggers with 50,000 sessions/month, high US/UK share, niches like travel, food, lifestyle, wellness.

  • Ad formats: display ads, video, native, etc.

  • Advantages: premium advertisers; high viewability; strong support and ad policy compliance; fast payouts (Net 30 or similar).

  • Drawbacks: Strict requirements; membership process; slower onboarding; you must maintain traffic and content quality.

  • Optimization tips: Improve image and video quality, ensure responsive design for mobile; remove heavy scripts, improve TTFB. Use optimal ad placement (above the fold, sticky units) while maintaining UX.

2. AdThrive

  • Best for publishers with large USA traffic volume, content‐rich, well-designed sites; niches like personal finance, health, and parenting.

  • Advantages: highest RPMs seen; white glove service; strong partner relationships with demand-side platforms (DSPs).

  • Drawbacks: Very high traffic & US traffic requirements; fewer clients accepted; more handholding expected to follow rules.

  • Optimization tips: Clean, fast design; well-structured content; use high-quality images and video; ensure core web vitals are good; avoid intrusive interstitials.

3. Ezoic

  • Best for mid-sized sites wanting to improve existing revenue and experiment with ad placements.

  • Advantages: AI optimization; multiple ad formats; mediation of other networks; dashboard insights; good for USA & UK traffic.

  • Drawbacks: Variability in performance; often requires patience; initial revenue might drop until optimized.

  • Optimization tips: Give enough time for the AI to test placements; ensure content is long enough; use higher quality images; maintain mobile friendliness; monitor that ad formats don’t annoy users.

4. Media.net

  • Best for content & editorial sites; blogs with high text content; sites targeting legal, finance, tech topics; complementary with display ads.

  • Advantages: Strong contextual matching; decent CPCs for text-heavy content; acceptable fill; could be used in combination with display networks.

  • Drawbacks: Often fewer visual units; revenue peaks may be lower than display native networks in some verticals; sometimes slower approval.

  • Optimization tips: Use plenty of high-quality, relevant content; optimize headlines; ensure many internal links; place ad units contextually; avoid overuse of ads in one area.

5. Native Ad Networks: Taboola, Outbrain, etc.

  • Best for sites with lots of content, long scrolls, and engaging visuals.

  • Advantages: Good revenue for content discovery/recommendation; reader engagement; often higher RPMs than standard display.

  • Drawbacks: Some clickbait-style content can degrade reputation; slower RPM; may require negotiations; variable CPC depending on content.

  • Optimization tips: Use high-quality thumbnails; compelling headlines; control content recommended to avoid low quality or spammy content; place widgets in contextual areas (below content, sidebar); monitor overlay and mobile behaviour.

Comparative RPM Scenarios

To give you estimates, here are possible RPM ranges (USA/UK traffic, well optimized) across different ad networks and niche types. These are illustrative, based on real publisher feedback.

Niche / Traffic TypeAdSense Average RPMAlternative Network RPM (Mid-sized Site)Alternative RPM (High Quality Traffic)
Finance / InsuranceUSD 8-12USD 20-30 (e.g., Media.net + native)USD 40-70+ (AdThrive / Mediavine with high traffic)
Health / WellnessUSD 6-10USD 15-25USD 30-50+
Tech / SaaS ReviewUSD 5-9USD 12-20USD 25-40+
Lifestyle / Travel / Food (UK)GBP £4-8GBP £12-18GBP £25-35+
Product Review / AffiliateUSD 4-8USD 12-20 (affiliate + native mix)USD 25-40+ (high converting affiliate + direct ads)

Action Plan: Switching From AdSense to a Higher-RPM Setup

Here is a step-by-step plan to transition (or test) alternatives meaningfully, without killing your income or SEO.

  1. Audit Current Performance

    • Note your current RPMs, CPCs, CTRs, and fill rates from AdSense.

    • Identify which pages/niches have the highest potential (USA/UK traffic, high-quality content).

  2. Signup & Apply

    • Apply to a few top networks (Ezoic, Media.net, Mediavine/AdThrive if eligible) in parallel.

    • Keep AdSense running temporarily so you don’t have downtime.

  3. Setup A/B Tests

    • On similar page types, route some traffic through AdSense, some through the alternative.

    • Measure RPM/user engagement (bounce, session duration) for 2-4 weeks.

  4. Optimize Layout & Ad Units

    • Ensure ad units are properly responsive; lazy load oversized units.

    • Improve core web vitals (page speed, interactivity, layout shifts).

    • Use heatmaps to identify where users spend time and place ads accordingly (above fold, mid-article, sticky footers, sidebars).

  5. Use Native / Affiliate Hybrid Monetization

    • Don’t rely only on display ads. Incorporate affiliate links, product units, and native recommendation advertising.

    • For review/comparison posts, affiliate earnings + native ads often outperform pure display.

  6. Monitor & Maintain Quality

    • Keep content fresh, authoritative, well well-researched.

    • Avoid spammy or clickbait content: this can hurt reputation, SEO, and long-term RPM.

    • Make sure policies of chosen networks are followed (no forbidden content, proper disclosures, transparent affiliate links).

  7. Gradually Scale Up

    • Once RPMs clearly beat AdSense and earnings stabilize, you can reduce dependency on AdSense or retire it.

    • Use additional revenue streams (sponsorships, direct deals) to further increase revenue.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For (and How to Avoid Them)

  • RPM Drop After Switching: If you replace all ad units at once, you might see a drop. Mitigate by A/B testing and keeping AdSense until alternatives outperform.

  • SEO Damage From Intrusive Ads: Too many ads above the fold, annoying popups, or auto-play video ads can hurt user experience and search rankings.

  • Ad Quality Issues: Some networks serve low-quality or misleading ads—this can harm trust, session duration, and return visits.

  • Payment Delays or Fraud Risk: Especially for newer or smaller networks—read reviews, check payout reliability.

  • Traffic Quality: If a large portion of traffic is low quality (non-USA/UK, bots, low session duration), networks may reject or underpay. Focus on traffic quality first.

Bonus Strategies to Increase RPM Further

  • Improve Viewability & Ad View-Time: Ads that are seen (i.e., not below the fold or scrolled too fast) get higher CPMs. Ensure ad units are visible for enough time.

  • Optimize for Mobile: Most traffic comes from mobile; mobile-friendly ad placements, fast loading, and responsive designs improve mobile RPM.

  • Use Video Ads or Video Content: Video ads generally yield higher revenue. Embedding video content or hosting video units (where allowed) can boost RPM.

  • Geographic Targeting: Tailor content/ads to the USA/UK audience; let higher CPC demand compete. Possibly block low-value geos or ad networks with poor coverage.

  • Lazy-Loading, Preloading, Caching: These help with page speed; faster pages rank better, which leads to more traffic and better ad performance.

  • Segmentation & Personalization: Serve different ad formats/content for users based on device, location, new vs returning user.

Summary: Which Alternative Should You Pick?

To pull this together, here are some recommendations by site size and niche:

  • If you’re just starting (<50K sessions/month):
    Consider Ezoic + Media.net + affiliate/native networks. Use AdSense as a fallback.

  • Medium sites (50K-150K sessions/month, good US/UK traffic):
    Aim for Mediavine or AdThrive if eligible. Use native networks (Taboola / Outbrain) for content discovery revenue. Mix with an affiliate for product content.

  • Large/high-quality sites (>150K pageviews, premium content):
    You can negotiate direct ad deals, use premium networks, combine multiple high-RPM sources, use video ads, and possibly create your own ad inventory (selling directly to advertisers).

Ultimately, the goal is not just more ad networks, but better monetization: high-paying ads, good UX, strong content, and a loyal audience.

Conclusion

AdSense has its place, especially for small or starting sites. But when your traffic from the USA & UK grows, switching (or complementing) it with high-RPM ad alternatives is one of the quickest ways to scale revenue. By selecting the right network(s), optimizing ad placements, maintaining content and UX quality, and constantly testing, many publishers see 2-5× AdSense RPMs (or more) with alternatives like Mediavine, AdThrive, Ezoic, native ad networks, and affiliate/hybrid models.

If you follow the strategies above, chances are high you’ll outperform AdSense in RPM and build a more diversified and sustainable income stream. Read More

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