Best Ad Networks for Affiliate Marketing, Ranked by Format

This directory compares ad networks that affiliate marketers and media buyers use to purchase push, popunder, native, video, and other traffic. Networks are grouped by ad format and compared by pricing model, GEO coverage, minimum deposit, supported verticals, and campaign controls.

Pricing models GEOs Best for verticals Minimum deposit Special features More
CPC
Worldwide
Betting
Gambling
Dating
Nutra
$50
Built-in spy-tool
CPM
CPC
195
Gambling
Nutra
Betting
Dating
Crypto
Sweeps
$100
Microbidding
CPA target
CPC
CPM
195
Betting
Gambling
Nutra
Dating
Ecommerce
Software
Crypto
Adult offers
$20
Smart CPC
Smart CPM
CPM
CPC
200+
Gambling
Betting
Dating
Software
$50
SST Pixel
S2S Postback
CPM
CPC
CPA
CPL
250
Ecommerce
Nutra
Adult
Gambling
Dating
Sweepstakes
$100
API automation
20% cashback on first deposit from $500

What Are Ad Networks

An ad network connects advertisers with traffic from websites, apps, and other publisher inventory. Affiliate marketers use these platforms to buy impressions or clicks, target specific GEOs and devices, track conversions, and optimize individual placements. Networks differ mainly in their available ad formats, traffic volume, targeting controls, reporting transparency, minimum deposit, and moderation policies.

Homepage of an ad network
Homepage of an ad network

Types of Ad Formats

The right format depends on your funnel, budget, and the level of user intent you need. Push and pop traffic are commonly used for fast testing and volume, while native and video usually require stronger creatives and more developed landing flows. Use the table below to compare the main trade-offs.

Ad formatBest forTypical funnel fitMain risksKey settings to control
PushFast testing, broad GEO coverageDirect + simple prelandersPlacement quality variance, fatigueFrequency, zones, creative rotation
In-Page PushMobile reach without subscriptionDirect + lightweight prelandersZone-driven results, CTR swingsZones, device split, whitelist/blacklist
Pop-UpCheap volume, quick validationDirect funnels, fast LPQuality inconsistency, bot pocketsZones, caps, strict targeting
PopunderScaling once funnel is provenDirect or prelander → directWasted spend without zone controlZones, frequency, device/OS split
OnclickHigh-volume redirect trafficDirect funnels, minimal stepsNeeds tight filtering and trackingZones, postback, fast blacklist ops
BannerBroader coverage, less intrusive deliveryDirect + content-style LPBanner blindness, creative dependencySizes, placements, frequency
Native“Warmer” clicks, editorial anglesPrelander → direct / content funnelsStricter review, higher CPC/CPMCreatives, compliance, placements
VideoHigh-impact hooks and demosDirect + strong above-the-foldCreative cost, inventory variabilityPlacement type, device, load speed
InterstitialHigh visibility on mobileDirect funnels, single CTAUser fatigue, policy sensitivityFrequency, placements, creative quality

You can get a rough understanding of what these ads look like from this picture:

Examples of common ad formats available through advertising networks.

Payment and Bidding Models

Model How it works Common use
CPM You pay for every 1,000 impressions Popunder, banner, native, video, and interstitial traffic
CPC You pay when a user clicks the ad Push, in-page push, native, and some display inventory
Smart CPC / Smart CPM The platform adjusts bids using campaign performance signals Automated optimization after enough data has been collected
Target CPA You set a desired acquisition cost while the network optimizes bids toward it Campaigns with reliable conversion tracking and sufficient conversion volume

Target CPA does not always mean that you pay only for conversions. Many platforms still buy traffic through CPM or CPC auctions while using conversion data to adjust bids automatically.

Available payment models when creating an ad campaign
Available payment models when creating an ad campaign

How to Choose the Best Ad Network

Start with the traffic format and GEO you need, then compare how much control each network gives you over placements, tracking, targeting, and campaign optimization. A large network is not automatically the best choice if most of its volume is outside your target market or hidden behind limited reporting.

Criterion What to check Why it matters
Format and GEO volume Real traffic volume for your format, GEO, device, and OS Worldwide coverage does not guarantee usable volume in your target segment
Placement transparency Zone, site, app, or placement IDs in reports You need source-level data to remove weak inventory and build whitelists
Targeting and optimization Device, OS, browser, carrier, frequency caps, bid adjustments, and lists More control lets you isolate profitable traffic instead of buying a mixed audience
Tracking support S2S postback, conversion pixels, sub-IDs, and reliable reporting Campaign decisions are unreliable without placement-level conversion data
Traffic quality controls Anti-fraud filters, suspicious-source handling, and invalid-traffic policies These tools reduce wasted spend and make traffic quality easier to verify
Pricing and billing CPM or CPC rates, minimum deposit, payment methods, and refund terms The billing setup must match your testing budget and payment workflow
Platform and support Moderation speed, dashboard stability, exports, bulk tools, and support response Operational problems can slow testing even when the traffic itself is suitable

For a first test, shortlist two or three networks within the same ad format. Use the same offer, GEO, device segment, and similar creatives so you can compare traffic sources without changing too many variables at once.

Which Verticals Work Best With Ad Network Traffic?

Ad network traffic usually performs best when users can understand the offer quickly and complete a simple action, such as registering, installing an app, or making a first deposit. Results also depend on the GEO, ad format, landing flow, and the network’s current advertising policies.

Fit Typical verticals What to consider
Strong fit iGaming, betting, dating, adult, mobile apps, utilities, games, subscriptions Simple conversion flows and high-volume testing usually work well with push, pop, and similar formats
Conditional fit Nutra, health and beauty, finance, crypto, trading, ecommerce Performance depends heavily on compliance, GEO, prelanders, and offer credibility
Harder to scale B2B SaaS, enterprise products, high-ticket services, complex subscriptions Long decision cycles and trust-heavy conversions usually require more education or retargeting

How We Select and Rank Ad Networks

AffDays ranks networks within individual ad formats rather than comparing unrelated types of inventory. A platform can rank highly for push traffic but lower for native or popunder if its volume, controls, or reporting are stronger in one format than another.

Ranking Criteria

We evaluate usable traffic volume, GEO and device coverage, placement transparency, targeting and optimization tools, postback support, traffic-quality controls, moderation, billing terms, reporting, and overall platform usability.

Updates

Rankings may change when a network adds or removes formats, changes its minimum deposit, updates campaign controls, loses traffic volume, or develops recurring problems with reporting, moderation, or traffic quality.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Partnership status does not determine whether a network is included or where it appears in a format ranking.

Common Mistakes When Buying Traffic From Ad Networks

Tracking, test design, creative fatigue, and funnel issues cause many of the performance problems attributed to ad network traffic.

Launching Without Reliable Tracking

Set up conversion tracking, postback, and placement-level sub-IDs before spending meaningful budget. Click data alone cannot show which zones generate conversions or which placements should be excluded. Without source-level reporting, profitable and unprofitable inventory remains mixed together.

Running an Uncontrolled Test

A test becomes difficult to interpret when it includes several GEOs, devices, operating systems, offers, landing pages, and creative concepts at once. Start with a narrower segment, change one major variable at a time, and collect enough data across multiple placements before judging the network.

Ignoring Frequency and Creative Fatigue

Repeated exposure can reduce CTR and conversion rate even when the underlying traffic remains stable. Use frequency caps where available, monitor performance by creative, and prepare replacements before the original set is fully exhausted.

Applying the Same Expectations to Every Format

Push, native, popunder, video, and interstitial traffic differ in user intent, volume, pricing, and creative requirements. Inventory also varies between networks that sell the same format. Evaluate each source against the normal behavior of that format instead of expecting one campaign setup to work everywhere.

Blaming Traffic Before Checking the Funnel

Before rejecting a traffic source, verify that the landing page loads correctly on the targeted devices and browsers, that redirects and tracking parameters work, and that the offer is available in the selected GEO. Technical failures can make usable traffic appear unprofitable.

FAQ

Ad network vs affiliate network?

An ad network sells traffic (impressions/clicks) across specific ad formats. An affiliate network aggregates offers and handles advertiser/affiliate relationships. On this page, we focus on ad networks as traffic sources.

Which format is best for beginners?

For most affiliates, Push or In-Page Push is the easiest starting point because setup is simple, you can test angles fast, and budgets are easier to control compared to high-volume formats like popunder/onclick.

How much budget do I need for push/pop/native?

Base the test budget on your expected CPC and conversion rate rather than a fixed amount. Divide the average CPC by the expected conversion rate to estimate your acquisition cost. For example, a $0.05 CPC and a 1% conversion rate imply an estimated CPA of $5. Your budget should cover several conversions across multiple placements, not just the cost of one expected conversion. Native campaigns may also need additional room for creative testing.

How do I reduce bot traffic?

Use placement-level reporting, S2S postback data, and the network’s anti-fraud tools. Review sources for abnormal click volumes, very short sessions, zero downstream engagement, or implausible conversion patterns. Exclude suspicious placements after enough data has accumulated rather than relying on CTR alone. Networks that hide placement IDs give you fewer ways to control low-quality traffic.

Can I run restricted verticals (iGaming, dating, crypto, etc.)?

Sometimes, but it depends on the network, GEO, creatives, and policy rules. Expect stricter moderation and higher rejection risk in sensitive niches. Check the format-specific AffDays listings and the network’s current ad policy before launching.

Should I choose an ad network based on the minimum deposit?

The minimum deposit matters for testing, but it should not be the main selection criterion. A low entry threshold provides little value if the network lacks volume in your GEO, hides placement data, or does not support reliable conversion tracking.

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