7 Best Native Ad Networks in Canada

Native advertising has been steadily gaining momentum, and the last few years are shaping up to be a transformative year for the industry. Global native ad spending has seen exponential growth, rising from $85 billion in 2020 to a projected $140 billion by the end of 2024. This format's appeal lies in its seamless integration with editorial content, making it 53% more likely to be viewed than traditional banner ads. Additionally, native ads offer a notable 18% increase in purchase intent, making them a compelling choice for advertisers across industries such as retail, technology, and more. Native ads in Canada are proven to drive engagement, with a 25% higher click-through rate compared to traditional display ads. As Canadian publishers seek to integrate advertising seamlessly into content, native ad networks are becoming essential for reaching target audiences effectively.

Criteria for Selecting Native Ad Networks

When it comes to evaluating native ad networks, advertisers and publishers need to focus on key factors that directly impact their campaigns' success. With native advertising spending projected to reach $400 billion globally by 2025, getting the most out of these networks is crucial. Here’s a look at the essential criteria that matter:

• Ad Format Versatility
  Native ad networks must offer various formats, from in-feed ads to content recommendations, ensuring they fit seamlessly into different platforms. Versatility is key, research shows that native ads are viewed 53% more than banner ads, proving that blending into content boosts visibility and engagement.
• Targeting Capabilities
  Precision is everything in advertising. Native ad networks that offer robust targeting based on demographics, location, behavior, and interests can help advertisers reach the right audience. Data shows that targeted native ads can increase click-through rates by up to 40%, making this a critical feature for boosting ad performance and ROI.
• Ease of Integration
  For publishers, easy integration is vital. A network that offers quick and hassle-free setup, like simple code or plugins, saves time and reduces friction. Publishers need solutions that won’t slow down their websites or require major technical expertise. A smooth process means more time to focus on growing audience engagement.
• Revenue Potential
  Both advertisers and publishers are in it for the returns. For publishers, it’s essential to choose networks with competitive revenue shares and high fill rates. For advertisers, investing in native ads can pay off, studies show native ads generate 3x more time spent with content compared to display ads, translating into better brand awareness and higher conversions.
• User Experience
  The whole point of native advertising is to create a non-intrusive ad experience. Ads that feel like part of the content are less likely to disrupt users, keeping them engaged and happy. In fact, native ads lead to an 18% increase in purchase intent, proving that when users are engaged rather than interrupted, they’re more likely to act.

7 Best Native Ad Networks in Canada

1. Outbrain

Outbrain stands out as one of Canada's premier native ad networks, renowned for its content recommendation engine that enhances user engagement. With native advertising on the rise growing at an impressive 8% annually in Canada publishers are keen to explore networks that blend ads seamlessly into their content. Outbrain excels in this area, offering a platform that connects brands with highly relevant audiences, making it a top choice for both advertisers and publishers. This native ad network continues to shape digital marketing strategies across Canada, helping publishers drive engagement and boost revenue.

Key facts:

• Leading Native Ad Network: Outbrain holds a strong presence in Canada’s native advertising space, helping publishers generate higher engagement through personalized content recommendations.
• Extensive Reach: With over 1 billion monthly users globally, Outbrain provides Canadian advertisers with access to premium publisher networks, boosting brand visibility.
• High CTR: Native ads on Outbrain have shown to deliver up to 8x higher click-through rates compared to traditional display ads, leading to better user interaction and ad performance.
• Advanced Targeting: Outbrain uses AI-driven targeting, helping advertisers in Canada reach specific audience segments based on interests, behavior, and location for optimal campaign results.
• Strong Customer Support: Outbrain offers comprehensive customer support, including dedicated account managers, ensuring smooth campaign execution and helping publishers maximize ad revenue.

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2. Taboola

Taboola, established in 2007, is a leading native advertising platform known for its prominence in Canada. As one of the best native ad networks, Taboola utilizes advanced AI algorithms to deliver personalized content recommendations, engaging over 1.4 billion unique users monthly. By partnering with top websites, mobile apps, and devices, Taboola significantly enhances engagement and revenue for its partners. In 2023, the platform achieved remarkable revenue growth of $1.53 billion, underscoring its expanding influence across the digital advertising landscape. For those seeking effective native advertising in Canada, Taboola stands out as a top choice among Canadian ad platforms and native ads publishers.

Key facts:

• Global Reach: Taboola's platform connects with over 1.4 billion unique users every month, making it one of the most extensive content discovery networks globally.
• Significant Revenue Growth: In 2023, Taboola achieved a revenue of $1.53 billion, reflecting an 11.05% year-over-year growth, showcasing its robust business model and increasing market penetration.
• Large Workforce: With approximately 1,900 employees, Taboola's workforce supports its vast operations and continuous innovation in AI-driven content recommendations​.
• Strategic Partnerships: Taboola recently secured an exclusive deal with Foundry to power content recommendations across well-known consumer sites like Macworld and PCWorld, further solidifying its position as a leader in content discovery.

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3. RevContent

Revcontent stands out as one of the best native ad networks in Canada, offering powerful solutions for publishers. With native ads expected to make up 79% of digital display ad revenue by 2025, Revcontent helps Canadian publishers boost engagement and revenue. Its advanced targeting and robust analytics optimize ad performance, making it a top choice for enhancing user experience and maximizing revenue. Known for high-quality ad placements and seamless content integration, Revcontent ensures a non-intrusive user experience while its extensive network and sophisticated algorithms drive significant increases in click-through rates and overall ad effectiveness.

Key facts:

• Revcontent’s Global Reach: With over 250 billion content recommendations per month, Revcontent powers personalized native ads across the web, delivering massive scale for advertisers and publishers.
• High Engagement Rates: Native ads through Revcontent boast a 60% higher engagement compared to traditional banner ads, helping brands connect with their audience more effectively.
• Canada’s Native Ad Hub: In Canada, Revcontent has emerged as one of the leading native ad networks, helping publishers and advertisers boost visibility and revenue through tailored content strategies.
• Better User Experience: Revcontent’s focus on non-intrusive, high-quality native ads ensures a stronger user experience, leading to higher retention and repeat engagement.
• Publisher Earnings: Revcontent offers 25% higher payouts to publishers compared to some competing networks, making it an attractive choice for content monetization.

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4. Nativo

Nativo is one of the best native ad networks for publishers in Canada, offering seamless integration of branded content into editorial environments. With a growing demand for native advertising in Canada, the platform helps brands create engaging, non-intrusive ads that blend naturally with the content, leading to higher engagement rates. Nativo’s Canadian ad platforms offer targeted solutions for publishers looking to optimize revenue. Native advertising revenue worldwide is expected to reach $400 billion by 2025, with Canada’s digital ad market growing steadily year over year, positioning Nativo as a key player in the native advertising platforms space.

Key facts:

• Nativo supports over 600 publishers globally, including top Canadian native ad publishers, helping them maximize revenue.
• Native ads outperform traditional display ads, with 60% higher engagement due to their seamless integration into content.
• Nativo’s platform offers advertisers advanced targeting and analytics, ensuring more relevant and personalized ads for Canadian audiences.
• Nativo helps publishers increase their ad revenue by up to 40%, making it one of the top ad networks in Canada.

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5. Sharethrough

Sharethrough is one of the best native ad networks in Canada, known for its innovative approach to native advertising. Offering a seamless integration of ads into content, Sharethrough ensures a high engagement rate for publishers. As a leading player among Canadian ad platforms, Sharethrough drives effective ad performance with up to 53% more viewable impressions compared to traditional ads. This platform serves both advertisers and native ads publishers, providing advanced tools to optimize campaigns. Whether you're looking for native advertising platforms in Canada or seeking top ad networks Canada offers, Sharethrough delivers robust solutions for maximizing ad revenue.

Key facts:

• 53% higher viewability: Sharethrough’s native ads achieve up to 53% more viewable impressions than standard display ads, ensuring better audience engagement.
• High engagement: Native ads on Sharethrough experience higher click-through rates (CTR) compared to traditional display advertising, enhancing user interaction.
• Large network: As a leading player in native ad networks Canada, Sharethrough reaches millions of users across various publishers, making it one of the top ad networks Canada has to offer.
• Programmatic capabilities: Sharethrough supports programmatic buying, giving advertisers greater flexibility and real-time control over their campaigns.

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6. TripleLift

TripleLift is a leading native ad platform that helps brands and publishers deliver highly engaging ads that blend seamlessly with content. As one of the best native ad networks in Canada, TripleLift stands out for its innovative use of programmatic technology, enabling ads that match the look and feel of the surrounding media. Native advertising in Canada is growing rapidly, and platforms like TripleLift play a vital role in connecting advertisers to premium Canadian audiences. In fact, native ads account for 65% of global ad spending, and TripleLift's advanced algorithms ensure optimal placements across top ad networks in Canada for publishers looking to maximize their revenue.

Key facts:

• Revenue Boost for Publishers: TripleLift has helped publishers achieve up to 50% increase in revenue from native ad placements.
• Seamless Ad Integration: The platform uses dynamic ad units that integrate with over 1,000 premium publishers, ensuring content continuity.
• Cross-Platform Reach: With native advertising being a key trend, TripleLift serves ads across desktop, mobile, and video formats, reaching diverse Canadian audiences.
• Programmatic Leadership: TripleLift leads the charge with 70% of its ad inventory being bought programmatically, providing advertisers with scalable solutions.

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7. AdYouLike

AdYouLike stands out as a premier native advertising network in Canada, renowned for delivering ads that seamlessly blend with content to create a captivating user experience. Leveraging advanced AI technology, AdYouLike ensures that ads integrate flawlessly across mobile, desktop, and tablet platforms, making them less intrusive and more engaging. With a global reach, this network excels in connecting brands with their target audiences through highly precise campaigns. In fact, AdYouLike's innovative approach boasts up to 30% higher engagement rates compared to traditional display ads. Partnering with top-tier publishers, AdYouLike is a leading choice for scalable and effective native advertising in Canada.

Key facts:

• AdYouLike serves 50 billion ad impressions monthly, connecting brands with a wide global audience.
• It partners with over 3,000 premium publishers, ensuring ads appear in trusted and reputable environments.
• With 50 DSP integrations, the platform offers robust programmatic capabilities for better ad targeting.
• Supports various ad formats, including native video, display, and social stories, customized to fit seamlessly into websites.
• Provides real-time analytics, allowing advertisers to fine-tune campaigns instantly for optimal results​.

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How to Get Started with Native Ad Networks in Canada

Native ad networks are becoming an increasingly popular choice for advertisers in Canada due to their ability to deliver ads that blend seamlessly with website content. If you’re looking to tap into this effective ad format, here’s a brief guide to help you start, optimize, and maximize your return on investment (ROI) with native ad campaigns in Canada.

Steps to Join and Set Up Native Ad Networks in Canada

• Research the Best Native Ad Networks
  Start by identifying top native ad platforms with a strong presence in Canada, such as Taboola, Outbrain, and others listed above. These networks specialize in delivering targeted native ads to Canadian audiences. With native ad spending in Canada projected to hit $2.36 billion by 2025, getting in early is a smart move.
• Sign Up and Create Your Account
  Registering for an account is straightforward. You’ll need to provide basic business information, your website details, and your advertising objectives. Native ad platforms often have easy-to-use dashboards, making it simple to track and optimize your campaigns.
• Set a Budget and Define Your Audience
  One of the biggest advantages of native ads is precise targeting. For Canada, you can focus on specific provinces like Ontario, Quebec, or Alberta, ensuring your ads resonate with regional audiences. Don't forget to factor in language targeting for both English and French-speaking populations, especially in Quebec.
• Design Engaging Native Ads
  Native ads typically include compelling images, short but impactful headlines, and relevant descriptions. To stand out, create ads that blend naturally with the content while still drawing attention. For example, ads with high-quality visuals can increase engagement by up to 60%.

Tips for Optimizing Native Ad Campaigns

• Focus on Attention-Grabbing Headlines
  A strong headline can make or break your native ad. A report from Outbrain shows that ads with compelling headlines see a 38% higher click-through rate (CTR). Use curiosity driven or benefit focused headlines to capture your audience’s attention.
• A/B Testing for Best Results
  Regularly test different versions of your ads whether it’s a new image, headline, or call-to-action (CTA). This will help you identify which combination works best with your Canadian audience and improve your ad performance over time.
• Utilize Geo-Targeting
  Canada is a vast country with diverse cultural regions. Make sure to use geo-targeting to fine-tune your campaigns for different provinces. Ads tailored to specific regions, such as bilingual ads in Quebec, can drastically improve your conversion rates.

Best Practices for Maximizing ROI in Native Advertising

• Focus on High-Quality Content
  Native ads perform better when they don’t feel like ads. Ads that offer value through informative or entertaining content increase engagement. Native ads that align with the user experience are up to 25% more effective than traditional display ads.
• Monitor and Optimize Campaigns Regularly
  Don’t set and forget your campaigns. Keep a close eye on performance metrics like CTR, engagement rates, and conversions. Platforms offer real-time data, allowing you to make quick adjustments and improve ROI. Reports show that optimized campaigns can boost ROI by over 30%.
• Invest in Long-Term Campaigns
  Native advertising is about building trust. Brands that consistently run native ads over time see stronger results. In Canada, a long-term strategy that aligns with seasonal events or local trends can deliver sustainable growth and higher returns.

Native ad networks in Canada offer a fantastic way to engage audiences without disrupting their online experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, native ad networks in Canada provide a highly effective way to boost engagement and maximize revenue. With native ad spending projected to reach $2.36 billion by 2025, choosing from leading networks such as Taboola, Outbrain, Revcontent, Nativo, Sharethrough, TripleLift, AdYouLike, and District M can significantly enhance your advertising efforts. Native ads boast a 53% higher viewability rate and a 25% higher click-through rate than traditional display ads. Additionally, they generate up to 3x more time spent with content, leading to better brand awareness and conversions. Prioritize networks with advanced targeting, seamless integration, and strong revenue potential to ensure maximum ROI while delivering a non-intrusive user experience.