Media.net Review

Media.net Review

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4.9

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I’ve never thought about people making money from blogs and the first time I heard of it was from an interview. Some old lady was typically making more than a thousand dollars monthly from her recipe blog. What surprised me most was the fact she was making money with Google Ad Sense!

I’ve been fascinated by Ad Sense ever since that day. Besides, I know a few people in my inner circle who make a decent amount of money monthly with Ad Sense. But things are quite different for me since I can’t seem to get it to work.

Up until recently, I’ve made a couple of hundred dollars from Ad Sense ads, and that is only after my niche site crossed the 200,000 monthly visitor mark. You can imagine my excitement when one of my friends, who also doubles up as my competitor, mentioned that Media.net was outperforming AdSense as at the time this post goes up. I had to check it out!

I signed up almost immediately. And, ladies and gentlemen…it flopped, terribly at that. For the first few weeks, I earned $7 per day. That’s something, but it wasn’t doing what it was supposed to. Then magic happened!

My friend, yeah…the competitor asked me to invest in a good account manager. The account manager was supposed to help me optimize the ads. And that’s exactly what I did. The account manager was equally up to task. That’s why within a short time, the Media.net ads on my website were doing pretty good, earning almost five times more than what I made with AdSense.

My display ad revenue was about $400 monthly and increased to $2000 per month. Quite impressive! This is because at that particular time, the revenue increase was estimated at 50%. Consequently, Media.net has become one of my go-to ad networks and its among the top five options we recommend to most Authority Hacker PRO students looking to diversify income using ads.

In this post, I’ll be exploring Media.net and everything you need to know about it including its pros and cons. I’ll also talk about how to implement it to increase your revenue significantly.

What is Media.net?

Before we begin, here’s some important information:

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Publisher Info
  • No official traffic number
  • net Sign Up
  • Parent Company – Bing & Yahoo
  • Volume – 70 million paid clicks per month
  • Type of Network – CPC
  • Payment Methods – Monthly through PayPal or Wire transfers
  • Disallowed Markets – Discussion boards and forums, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, user generated content and adult
  • Key Differentiators – DSP technology, account reps and done-for-you ROI optimization

Bing and Yahoo was started by Media.net and they answer to Ad Sense. However, it’s now owned by Miteno Communication Technology, a huge tech conglomerate based in China. It’s a huge network that’s why it caters to the big advertisers. Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Reuters, Elle and the likes just to mention a few are some of their advertising rosters.

According to the data provided, which their volume typically reflects – they generated more than 60 million paid clicks per month. They usually use this figure when talking highly of their CTR that is a little bit higher than 0.08% which is the industry standard. You should also note that it takes any average advertising platform about 87.5 billion impressions or even more to get the same results.

In case you are wondering, their unique and rather innovative ad designs generate the CTR. What’s more, they developed DSP ads otherwise known as the call display-to-search ads. The ads use what is referred to as machine learning to get to understand the user’s intention of the search and serve relevant ads with similar keywords. Some blogs call them highly contextual ads.

Media.net serve many different types of ads including rich-media, video and image. However, text-based ads are the most popular since the ads make the most of their famous DSP technology.

Let’s take this example from a page on one of my niche sites covering dog collars:

Text-based ads usually appear as buttons with hyper-relevant keywords related to the article in question. They also incorporate auto-learning algorithms to match different advertisers to the content using the page-by-page retrospective. However, my account manager tested a number of keywords beforehand which makes me believe Media.net has a backend control keyword input.

It goes without saying that Media.net and its counterpart, AdSense have some key differences. The main difference is that with the former, you get paid for the clicks on the second page. This means that the user is usually redirected to a new page when they click an ad. Here’s an example:

As earlier mentioned, you get paid when the user clicks on anything on the second page.

Media.net Pros

  1. They have an impressive ad design

I think that Media.net’s ad design is typically a hallmark innovation. It’s purely genius! Don’t mind about the quality of the images on the examples below because I thought a screenshot would work better.

Notice how they extremely focus on the keywords. This means that they would have an organic feel especially in the middle of your content if the design matches that of your website. The genius aspect of it is that they are typically buttons with clickbait texts. For the most part, they are just texts. When you combine all these features it makes them extremely clickable.

Honestly, I haven’t tried out lots of ad networks even though I am at the prime of my career. However, Media.net has an edge over the others owing to their CPR which are truly insane.

  1. You get to access an account manager

One of the things that make Media.net stand out is the fact that you get a personal account rep. Here is an example email:

The account rep helps answer all your questions and also doubles up as a customer service agent. Save for that, they handle a lot of stuff on your behalf. Most importantly, the account reps usually undergo training to learn how to optimize the ads for ROI.

For the most part, they are tasked to A/B test publisher ads. The account reps handle everything ranging from keywords, branding, color and design among others with an exception of layout. You’ll have to do the layout yourself. However, they can give you some suggestions after looking at your website. In exchange, they can ask you to place their ads in different prime positions.

Generally, it makes a huge difference. For instance, my account rep has always been invaluable when it comes to my Media.net ads and entire website profitability. He single-handedly ran tests that saw my revenue increase from $7 to $60 daily without me lifting a finger.

  1. It works remarkably well in different niches

Media.net is slightly niche-dependent as compared to other ad networks. However, when it gains momentum, it works remarkably well in that particular niche.

HerePup falls under the pet’s space with a range of products to buy making it a relatively high commercial space. Most of my friends who are thriving with Media.net are in the same niche with a lot of physical products. However, am not quite sure if that’s the only niche that Media.net performs well.

That is good news and here’s why:

Most of us in this particular community have websites monetized with Amazon. These types of sites are usually in niches that stand to benefit the most from a network like Media.net.

From my personal experience, I can say that my ads performed remarkably well on most affiliate pages. This is without having an impact on the affiliate revenue that is generated by the pages in question. Remember, Media.net doesn’t have page-by-page level of reporting.

  1. It pairs perfectly with AdSense

Mentioning how well Media.net pairs with AdSense is worth it here even though you’ll hear more of it from Jon Dykstra. These two platforms work remarkably well together although they aren’t mutually exclusive. This is because they are best suited for different things. For instance, Ad Sense has the best image-based banners that perform better above content.

AdSense, on the other hand, tends to excel at ads which usually appear in the middle of the content. Plus, they are highly synergistic since Media.net allows the user to include ads in sticky widgets on the sidebars. This is something that is against the terms of service of AdSense.

  1. Mobile Ads

In as much as Mobile docked ads has taken the world by storm, Media.net still does a better job. They not only allow mobile docked ads but your personal account rep can test and design them like they do in other different ads.

In addition, they have mobile-specific ad units that allow you to test and optimize to generate mobile traffic.

Media.Net Cons

Like any other ad network, Media.net also comes with its fair share of limitations. Let’s delve right into it, shall we?

  1. You need a great website and A lot of traffic

The minimum traffic number is not official. However, getting in without a high traffic can be quite challenging. I guess it’s because their resources are limited.

What’s more, they can reject websites with what they term as “unsuitable content”. I know some one with a site that usually reviews different types of weapons. They can’t seem to get it even though it’s perfectly legal since its sold on Amazon.

Side Note:  Media.net also has sites with 5000 visits monthly which means you need to start a bit early even though you’ll make very little owing to your traffic level.

  1. They don’t have page-by page level reporting

One of the major drawbacks of using Media.net is they lack page level reporting which can evidently be a pain in the ass. They don’t offer real-time reporting for any registered sites and created ads. This means that you can’t find any data on a page level which makes it hard for most publishers to optimize ads in their content’s context.

Authority site builders usually have distinctive types of content known as info content or affiliate content so the page level reporting is a big deal for them. There are different types of content best suited for different people. This means that the contents have different structures and perform quite differently.

For the most part, trying out different layouts on different types of content is typically front-and-center. That’s why lack of page level reporting can be a bane of your life.

  1. Personal account reps can have mixed reviews

My personal account rep is great and has over the years grown to be my virtual friend. He’s done a lot for my business that’s why I stay in contact and try to establish a relationship with him. Some of my friends also appreciate their account reps as well.

However, this doesn’t mean that am trying to rubbish any other views contrary to mine because you might have a different experience. The negative reviews are a handful but most of them are from frustrated publishers that can’t seem to get their account reps to respond. It can be quite frustrating especially when you have an urgent question or are doing A/B testing.

Side Note: After you are done with registration, you can always hit up support and request to change your personal account rep is they are unresponsive.

  1. You can’t do self-split testing without using third-party platforms

This is also another major drawback that puts Media.net on the spotlight. That’s why they always emphasis on using the provided account reps to run the tests as opposed to allowing users to do it on their own. This means that you can only do A/B test units using third-party platforms such as Ezoic especially if you are looking to do it yourself.

Using third-party platforms is as annoying as it frustrating especially when designing. Media.net offers a number of design options in the dashboard while the account reps create advanced designs. Personally, I prefer a hands-off optimization but if you like getting in there or getting your hands dirty, you’ll not be happy.

  1. It doesn’t work well for other niches

Media.net is not compatible with other niches. Anything with products performs better than those without. A perfect example is a celebrity gossip niche. In this case, there are no products which means the ads served by Media.net won’t be as enticing as compared to its counterparts dealing with, let’s say, beauty products.

Update

According to Media.net review, one of the users in the comment section noted that het gets about $7 or thereabout RPMs in a niche that doesn’t deal with products. This means that the above limitation might not be entirely true. It’s just one review out of the many, but it’s highly encouraging especially for those in the non-product-based niche. Plus, it makes a convincing case for testing Media.net for those in that particular niche.

Media.net vs AdSense

The most frequently asked question is whether or not Media.net is a viable option to AdSense. Keep scrolling to find out more!

By now, you already know that in my case, Media.net replaced AdSense almost immediately. However, I would say that Media.net is an excellent alternative to AdSense especially if for one reason or the other, you can’t use the latter.

Whether or not Media.net is an entire replacement is still subject to debate. Media.net increased my revenue significantly especially after moving it to the real estate on my website. AdSense, on the other hand, got bumped into less-profitable locations. I didn’t get rid of AdSense since they work remarkably well together. I didn’t have a reason to remove it.

Here’s what Jon Dykstra, an acquaintance from FatStacks had to say. I sought his opinion because he’s tried out lots of ad networks and has also done a detailed Media.net review on this blog.

Jon Dykstra’s answer to whether Media.net is a viable alternative to AdSense:

Yes and no.

Media.net is a viable alternative to AdSense since it’s an ad network with decent RPMs depending on the niche especially if you don’t have an AdSense account. The RPMs are estimated at about $5 to $10 on a good day. You should also know that Media.net works better on different niches and flops in others. For instance, I bought a site recently with few products and the results were dismal.

Moving forward:

Media.net is NOT a viable alternative to AdSense because using the two together is one of the best ways to get the most from the platform. It’s always been my go-to combo for the longest time. You get an array of amazing ads on one page and they look quite different. Media.net thrives in good content. AdSense, on the other hand, works great below content, at the top and top sidebars.

When comparing Media.net to AdSense, Jon has pretty much said everything. However, I didn’t think about the ad design aspect where Jon mentions that it tends to bring variety to the page. I don’t have anything to add on that but I guess it helps increase ad visibility.

What Authority Site Builders Think About Media.net

A lot of people out there use Media.net. Successful ones for that matter! However, others for one reason or the other, don’t. Here’s what Authority Hacker Pro members had to say about Media.net:

How to Implement Media.net on Your Site and Get the Most Out of It

After going through the above comments, you now have a rough idea of what people like about Media.net. Here’s how to use it:

In Preparations: You should have a credible website

You need a legit website with a significant amount of traffic to get in. Click on this link to find out what qualifies as a credible or rather legit site. This because credibility has direct influence on the effectiveness of the marketing.

1st Step: Signing Up

First, go to Media.net, then click on the “sign up” button and enter your personal information.

There’s a review process once you’re done. Media.net will then send you a notification to let you know whether or not you got in. You’ll be able to access the dashboard as shown in the image below when you get in.

At this point, you can add your website and different payment methods.

2nd Step: Creating an Ad

Here, you can start creating ads. Click on the “create ad” option from the dashboard to display the options. You can also choose sizes.

There are different sizes to choose from according to your personal specifications. However, if you prefer what am using then you can try out any of these three options:

  • 600 × 250 – after content
  • 728 × 90 – before content
  • 300 × 250 – wrapped text, first paragraph
  • 300 × 250 – sticky sidebar

After which you can pick a skin:

Skins are typically designs. However, the skins on their own don’t include color. This means that what you’ll be doing at this point is choosing literal graphic designs for the ad units.

There’s a color customization panel right below the skin carousel. It’s collapsible by default which means you have to click on it to explore other options.

Colors are usually more important than the skins. However, you might want to try out different skin and color combinations to find one that suits your needs. But I would recommend starting out with the brand colors. Ads will convert better if are an organic part of the website. Remember, the tool can also run both color and skin optimizations on its own.

What’s more, you can try tinkering with advanced options:

However, you can leave them. You don’t want the platform to be aggressive with its optimization processes. Plus, you have no reason no to have mobile ads on your website.

3rd Step: Putting Ads on the Site

Putting ads on the site can be quite challenging especially if you do it manually post by post. Plus, there are very few ad plugins which work well with the themes most of us usually use – Thrive.

Therefore, I recommend using Ad Inserter. Click on the link to download.

Install it as you would other plugins then click on the “settings” option. Once you’re done copy then paste the ad code to the editor. Each block has a different code which you can enter into different spots. However, save for the ads, you can put anything else you want.

You can choose where you want the code to appear right below the editor.

Ensure you select the automatic insertion option to get the code to appear at a certain place. You can choose from these alternatives:

The plugin will put ads count from the top of the content then put it after or before that particular paragraph number if you choose “after paragraph” or “before paragraph”. This means that you need to choose the paragraph numerically.

You can use the “paragraph number” option on the lefthand side bottom corner of the page to put ads before or after the first paragraph.

You can paste the ad code in a text widget if you want to put a unit in the sidebar. Remember, these units usually make tons of money and Media.net doesn’t allow fixed or sticky widgets. In this case, you’ll have to download Q2W3 Widget Plugin.

4th Step: Asking Your Personal Account Rep to Optimize

You can ask your personal account rep to help you optimize once you are done setting up the ads on your website. Trust them because they are usually undergo special training to get the ads to generate revenue so that both parties can be happy.

5th Step: Check Reporting

At this point, you can check the reports for your account, an ad unit or website.

Conclusion

Generally, Media.net is great! You can trust them with your money especially if you are invested in product-based niches.

What do you think about Media.net?

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