How Bloggers in the UK & USA Are Earning More with AdSense Alternatives

Introduction

For more than a decade, Google AdSense has been the most popular way for bloggers to monetize their content. But times have changed. Bloggers across the USA and UK are realizing that while AdSense is reliable, it often doesn’t maximize their RPM (Revenue Per Mille) and CPC (Cost Per Click).

Today, smart publishers are turning to AdSense alternatives—premium ad networks, affiliate programs, and native platforms that outperform AdSense in earnings. Whether you run a finance blog in London, a lifestyle blog in New York, or a tech review site in Manchester or California, better monetization opportunities are waiting for you.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore:

• Why AdSense isn’t always the best option.

• The top AdSense alternatives used by UK & USA bloggers.

• Real strategies that maximize revenue.

• Comparative RPM and CPC performance.

• How can you make the switch effectively?

Let’s dive in.

---

Why Bloggers Are Moving Beyond AdSense

1. Lower Than Expected RPMs

AdSense RPMs can be disappointing. While bloggers with Tier 1 traffic (USA/UK) expect high payouts, AdSense algorithms often yield lower CPC than premium networks.

2. Strict Policies & Account Bans

AdSense policies are notoriously strict. One accidental violation, and bloggers risk demonetization.

3. Limited Ad Formats

AdSense offers standard display ads, but video ads, native ads, and affiliate hybrids often earn significantly more.

4. Growing Competition

Advertisers have more platforms now. High-paying brands often prefer managed ad networks (Mediavine, AdThrive, etc.) or native platforms (Taboola, Outbrain).

5. Diversification is Safer

Relying on one income source is risky. By diversifying, bloggers in the UK & USA create stable, growing income streams.

---

Best AdSense Alternatives for Bloggers in the USA & UK

Here’s a breakdown of proven ad networks and strategies helping bloggers earn more.

1. Mediavine

• Eligibility: 50,000 monthly sessions minimum.

• Best For: Lifestyle, travel, parenting, food blogs.

• Why Bloggers Love It:

  • Premium advertisers.

  • RPMs are often 2–4x higher than AdSense.

  • Great support & ad optimization tools.

• Case Example: A London-based food blogger increased RPM from £8 (AdSense) to £25+ with Mediavine.

---

2. AdThrive

• Eligibility: 100,000 monthly pageviews (with 75% US traffic recommended).

• Best For: Finance, tech, health, and large lifestyle blogs.

• Advantages:

  • White-glove account management.

  • Extremely high RPM—often $30–$50 in finance niches.

• Case Example: A US personal finance blogger jumped from $12 AdSense RPM to $45 with AdThrive.

---

3. Ezoic

• Eligibility: No strict traffic minimums (good for small/medium blogs).

• Advantages:

  • AI-based ad optimization.

  • Integrates with multiple ad exchanges.

  • Works well for scaling publishers.

• Performance: Bloggers in the UK often see 50–200% higher RPM after optimization.

---

4. Media.net

• Backed by the Yahoo/Bing network.

• Best For: Content-rich blogs (finance, legal, B2B, and SaaS).

• Advantages:

  • Strong contextual targeting.

  • Higher CPC for finance & legal topics in the USA & UK.

• Case Example: A Birmingham-based law blog reported CPCs up to £3–£5, outperforming AdSense averages.

---

5. Amazon Native Ads & Associates

• Best For: Product review & affiliate blogs.

• Why It Works:

  • UK & USA audiences have high e-commerce purchase intent.

  • Converts visitors into buyers → higher EPC (earnings per click).

• Performance: Review blogs often report effective RPMs of $25–$40 compared to $8–$10 with AdSense.

---

6. Taboola & Outbrain (Native Ads)

• Best For: News, lifestyle, and viral blogs with high pageviews.

• Advantages:

  • Engaging recommendation widgets.

  • CPCs are competitive in the UK/USA markets.

• Case Example: A Manchester-based lifestyle blog saw 3x AdSense RPM by adding Taboola below articles.

---

7. SHE Media Partner Network

• Focus: Female-centric niches (lifestyle, parenting, beauty, health).

• Strongest Markets: USA & UK female audiences.

• Performance: Bloggers report CPMs 2x higher than AdSense in lifestyle niches.

---

8. Sovrn //Commerce (Affiliate Link Monetization)

• Works By: Automatically monetizing outbound product links.

• Best For: Blogs with frequent product mentions (tech reviews, home improvement, etc.).

• Performance: Bloggers report +30% overall earnings boost on top of display ads.

---

9. Infolinks

• Unique Formats: In-text, in-fold, and overlay ads.

• Advantages:

  • Works with small sites.

  • Supplements other ad income streams.

• Performance: Effective for boosting revenue by 10–20% alongside premium networks.

---

Comparative RPMs: AdSense vs Alternatives

Niche	AdSense RPM (USA/UK)	Alternative RPM Potential	Best Network(s)
Finance/Insurance	$8–12	$30–70	AdThrive, Media.net
Lifestyle/Food	$5–9	$20–35	Mediavine, SHE Media
Tech Reviews	$6–10	$15–40	Amazon Native, Sovrn, Ezoic
Parenting	$5–7	$18–25	Mediavine, SHE Media
News/Viral	$4–6	$12–20	Taboola, Outbrain

---

Why UK & USA Traffic Earns Higher RPM

1. Tier 1 Advertisers Pay More – Brands compete heavily for audiences in these regions.

2. Higher Purchasing Power – UK & USA audiences spend more online.

3. Better Ad Targeting – Advertisers trust Tier 1 countries’ data for precise targeting.

4. Premium Niches Pay Premium CPCs – Finance, health, insurance, and tech CPCs can hit $10–$20 per click.

---

How Bloggers Can Maximize Alternative Ad Revenue

1. Focus on Content Quality
   High-quality, long-form articles attract premium advertisers.

2. Target High CPC Keywords
   Examples: best insurance in the USA, UK credit card comparison, business loan software review.

3. Optimize User Experience (UX)

   • Faster page speed = higher viewability.

   • Better layouts reduce bounce rates → higher RPM.

4. Leverage Multiple Income Streams
   Don’t just rely on display ads. Combine:

   • Premium ad networks.

   • Affiliate programs.

   • Sponsored content.

   • Email marketing.

5. A/B Test Ad Layouts
   Test placements (above fold, sidebar, in-article) to find what earns more.

6. Prioritize Mobile Optimization
   Over 60% of USA/UK traffic is mobile. Responsive ads → higher CTR & RPM.

---

Success Stories

• US Travel Blogger: Increased earnings 4x after switching from AdSense ($7 RPM) to Mediavine ($28 RPM).

• UK Finance Blogger: Replaced AdSense with AdThrive, boosting CPC from £1.50 to £4.80 and overall RPM from £9 to £38.

• Tech Blogger (California): Used a mix of Ezoic + Amazon Native. Earnings rose 3x in 3 months.

---

Conclusion

Bloggers in the USA and UK are no longer relying solely on AdSense. With premium ad networks, affiliate monetization, and native advertising, they are earning 2x–5x more RPM.

If you’re still stuck with AdSense, consider testing networks like Mediavine, AdThrive, Ezoic, Media.net, and Amazon Native Ads. The right strategy depends on your niche, traffic volume, and audience demographics.

The future of blogging income lies in diversification and premium monetization strategies. Read More