Combining Advertising Networks

If you're a publisher, is it a good idea to combine advertising networks or is it better to stick to just one?

What do you guys do?

 

Some may disagree with me, but I prefer to stick to just one. And here's why. Usually, if you try to accommodate more than just one advertiser, the page becomes nothing but one cluttered advertising mess. Ideally, you want to put at least a couple ads from the same advertiser to make it profitable. But what happens is you put a couple from this one, a couple from that one and the next thing you know you have at least 4 ads per page. Not good. People tend to tune overly monetized website out. I think up to 3 ads per page should be the top. And of course their location should well thought-through too.

 

How about using defaults or an ad server to serve the adverts?
If the CPM is lower than X USD, show adverts from another network.

You don't necessarily need to add more banners.
Also, may I ask which company you work with?

 

It's hard to figure this one out in a vacuum. If you could give a link to where the ads are, it will be easier to suggest what may or may not work.

I prefer the cj.com affiliate program myself over any other.

 

But don't you have to pick out specific offers for Commission Junction?

 

I combine two Google Ads and Fidelity Media. Combining two networks will minimize the number of unsold impressions.

 

Rita, do you work for Fidelity Media? You seem to recommend them often.

 

Most probably works for them.
Check her recent activity, her last 7 posts all have direct links to their site.

 

i do, but not FOR them, WITH them actually, i'm placing their ads on my site

 

You just happen to feel like advertising their URL all over the forum? :O

 

I think if you're a publisher, it's always worth comparing ad networks. You may find something that is more profitable. You can't be too greedy and need to know the estimated value of what you are actually able to squeeze out of our website.

 

It depends on the type of site that you have. Personally, I've seen content-rich sites that combine banner ads and affiliate links from different ad networks / affiliate networks. I think it all depends on how optimized each of your website's page is, and where the visitor lands first. Many visitors of content-rich sites don't necessarily land on the homepage, but perhaps on a blog post or an inner page; and that usually depends on what they searched online. So if you have a fashion portal / content site and you feature different types of fashion accessories and apparel; I don't see any problem with using several ad networks in this case.