Best Direct/SmartLink Ad Networks for Publishers


Looking to generate additional revenue through your content? Direct link ads and smart link ads can help you. You get a smart URL (basically a javascript code) to place on your content. Whenever a user clicks on the URL, he/she is taken to an advertisement page. However, finding such links can require technological and marketing knowledge. This is where partnering with a direct link or smart link ad network can help you.

It's important to note that direct link ad networks have received some criticism for their potential to deliver low-quality traffic and the lack of transparency regarding ad placements. As with any advertising approach, it's crucial for both advertisers and publishers to carefully evaluate the effectiveness and performance of such networks to ensure they align with their marketing goals. However, the CPA can be low for advertisers and the revenue can be higher for publishers on specific niches. 

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How to Choose the Best Direct Link Ad Networks?


Choosing the best direct link ad network for publishers can be challenging, as there are many options available in the market. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a direct link ad network:

  • Ad Relevance: Make sure the direct link ad network offers ads that are relevant to your users and website niche. Irrelevant ads can negatively impact user experience and result in lower ad CPMs.
  • Payout Rates: Look for an ad network that offers competitive payout rates to publishers with a higher revenue share. Higher CPA payout rates can mean more revenue for your website or app.
  • Reputation and Reliability: Do your research and choose an ad network with a good reputation in the adtech industry and a track record of reliability and timely payments.
  • Integration Ease: Check how easy it is to integrate the direct link ad network into your website or app and whether it is compatible with your CMS.
  • Ad Quality: Ensure your direct link ad network offers decent ads that are not spammy, intrusive, or misleading, as this can damage your website or app's reputation.

By considering these factors and researching, you can choose the best direct link ad network for your website or app and maximize your revenue potential. However, it's important to note that direct link ad networks may only suit some publishers or websites. For example, if your website relies heavily on content, direct link ads may not be the best option, as they can take users away. Additionally, direct link ads may not work well for niche or specialized audiences, as the ads may not be relevant or appealing to those users.

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Benefits of Direct Link Ad Networks for Publishers


Direct link ad networks are advertising networks that provide a direct link to the advertiser's landing page or website without the need for an intermediary webpage. Here are some benefits of using direct link ad networks for publishers:

  • Higher Payouts: Direct link ad networks can offer higher payouts to publishers on specific niches which are not usually approved by AdSense.
  • Easy Integration: Direct link ad networks can be easy to integrate into your website or app, as they typically provide simple code snippets or APIs that can be added with minimal coding.
  • Diversified Revenue Stream: By using direct link ad networks, publishers can diversify their revenue stream beyond the banner and native ads. This can help provide a more stable and predictable source of revenue for your app or website.
  • No Minimum Page Views: Direct link ad networks don’t have any page views threshold, thus giving an opportunity to new and established publishers alike.

Smartlink or Directlink Ads CPM Rates


CPM (Cost Per Mille or Cost Per Thousand) rates for smartlink ads can vary widely depending on multiple factors, including the ad network, the quality of your traffic, the geographic location of your audience, the niche of your website, and the demand from advertisers. Smartlink ads are a form of monetization that automatically optimizes and redirects traffic to the most relevant and highest-paying offers from various advertisers. 

  • Low-quality traffic: If your website receives low-quality or non-targeted traffic, CPM rates for smartlink ads can be relatively low, often in the range of $0.10 to $0.30 per thousand impressions.
  • Medium-quality traffic: Websites with more focused but not premium traffic may see CPM rates ranging from $0.50 to $1.5.
  • High-quality traffic: High-quality, targeted traffic from specific geographies or niches can command CPM rates around $3 to $5 and sometimes even reaching $10 or more per thousand impressions.

If you want help finding the right smart link ad network for your content, Publisher Growth can help. We have access to the best smart link ad networks for publishers. Once you sign up, we will analyze your content and notify you when we find the right smart link ad network for you to partner with. Sign up for Publisher Growth here

Direct/SmartLink Ad Network FAQs

Direct link ad networks typically use payment models like cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-action (CPA). Advertisers pay for each click or specific actions, such as sign-ups or conversions, generated from the ads. These are in turn, converted into effective CPM and paid to publishers.

Direct link ad networks are often used for time-sensitive offers, promotions, or special deals that require quick action. Offers like app downloads, sweepstakes, limited-time discounts, and sign-ups are commonly promoted through direct linking.