Top 7 Display Ad Platforms You Need to Check 

Want to reach a broad audience online? Display ads on websites, apps, and even social media could be a great way to do it. But with so many options, knowing where to start or how to choose between the top display ad platforms can be challenging. 

This guide will help you understand how display ad platforms work and what to consider when choosing one. It will cover the various types of platforms, their benefits, and how to select the right platform for your specific needs. By the end, you’ll be ready to jumpstart your marketing efforts with a display ad network that helps you achieve your goals. 

Top Display Ad Platforms 

As we’ve researched multiple display ad platforms, also known as ad networks, we’ve concluded a top 7 of the best available and operational platforms this year. But please note that some ad tech platforms might confuse you, as some have overlapping services.  

One such distinction is the ad network, SSP, and DSP trilemma; since SSP sells ad inventory to advertisers, DSP buys ad inventory from publishers. Ad networks are intermediaries between advertisers and publishers, selling ads and buying. 

But let’s jump in! 

1. Google AdMob – Best for In-app Monetization 

Whenever someone thinks of Google, AdSense is the first option that pops into their minds. However, this isn’t the only ad solution Google offers. AdMob has been in the market since 2006, and since demand has increased, the supply should be on point. 

This mobile display ad network is considered the top display ad network due to its smooth integration with other Google services, monetization methods for publishers and advertisers through fill rates and CPM, and security and trust within the advertising industry. 

However, as Google is one of the tech giants, many complained about poor customer support and even prohibited the apps for no specific reason. 

Google AdMob Features: 

• Higher Earnings through more rewarding and real-time CPM for every impression and increased fill rates for programmatic buyers. 
• Engaging Ad Formats by finding the right balance between the chosen ad format and your app’s user experience.
• Google Analytics for actionable insights that convert impressions into Lifetime Value and Average Revenue per User.  

2. Meta Audience Network (Facebook) – Top Choice for Automated Placement 

As you would think, Facebook is another tech giant that offers more than its social media platform. As a result, the Meta Audience Network is a mobile app monetization network that offers customizable ad targeting, A/B testing, and cost-efficient CPA/ CPM rates. 

In addition, there’s the Facebook Audience Certification, which helps you better understand the platform and unlock new ad campaign tips and tricks. 

Meta Audience Network Features 

• Various Mobile Ad Formats: Native, interstitial, banner, rewarded video, or playable ads? Be sure to choose only what mobile ad formats fit best and, after considerate testing and reviews, what drives growth. 
• Automated Ad Placement: You can manually choose the ad placements that best align with your advertising goals, or you can automate this process and let the algorithm determine the best placement outcome. 
• Quality Over Quantity for Your Inventory: Meta prioritizes the quality of your ad inventory as a publisher. You will undergo onboarding and then receive pre- and post-campaign transparency reports. 

3. Coinzilla Ad Network – Crypto, Blockchain & Web3 

Founded in 2016, Coinzilla is one of the top display ad networks catering to the crypto, blockchain, and fintech sectors. It provides comprehensive services to help advertisers reach their target audience and publishers maximize and sell ad space earnings. 

There’s a dedicated team of account managers, designers, and content writers, to name a few services. Coinzilla provides non-intrusive ads that align with users’ experience, target audience, and user interest. 

Coinzilla Features: 

• Crypto Ad Network Niche: Advertising crypto projects on Google could be daunting. Thus, Coinzilla offers an easier way to promote your Web3, blockchain, or crypto games and projects. Also, you benefit from a manual selection of each publisher to offer high-quality traffic with zero fraud risk. 
• Flexible Budgeting: Managing your ad budget is tricky, but what do you say about an ad network offering increased flexibility while offering performance-based ad delivery? 
• Reporting and Performance: With Coinzilla, you can gather insights, analyze them, and further optimize your display ad campaigns based on accurate data rather than unthinkingly making changes and spending unnecessary funds. 

4. Adsterra – Best CPM Rates 

Founded in 2013, Adsterra has managed to serve over 35 billion ad impressions through +35K publishers and +15K brands, affiliates, and ad networks. So, as you can see, these stats speak for themselves. 

What is surprising about this platform is the quick response to campaign approval and lack of strict policies, which most advertisers and publishers seek in addition to reliable customer service. 

Adsterra Features: 

• Reputation and Partners: 50K partners, 1.5B conversions delivered in a year, and $87M per year sounds good, doesn’t it? Thus, Adsterra could be your business growth arena to reach new audiences and unlock new revenue streams. 
• 6 Main Ad Formats: Use the popunder, in-page push, display banners, or native, in addition to the social bar format, to present your business offerings seamlessly. However, please note that Adsterra lacks responsive ads or AMPs. 
• Unlock Multiple Revenue Models: Whether you’re a publisher or advertiser, Adsterra offers CPM, CPC, and CPA traffic, depending on which side of the fence you are on. For advertisers, for example, they could buy from over 35,000 direct publishers. 

5. PropellerAds – Content Control & Push Traffic 

PropellerAds is an ad network specialized in content control, which means that all ad units and inventories are pre-approved and vetted. As a result, they ensure high quality for better display ad campaigns. 

When discussing the publisher’s advantage, they benefit from 53% higher yields on average due to their multi-tag smart optimization approaches. 

PropellerAds Features: 

• High-quality Traffic and Volume: Their anti-bot technology, partners, and Traffic Estimator are pushing the boundaries and positioning them as one of the top display ad networks. 
• Campaign Management: Why choose a display ad network if you can’t efficiently manage your campaigns? PropellerAds offers campaign management at its finest and  
• SmartCPC and SmartCPM: PropellerAds helps you automate placement selection and bid optimization, saving you valuable time and effort. 

6. Taboola – Ad Customization & Cost Efficiency 

Taboola is another advertising platform amongst the top display ad networks offering quality advertising services for publishers and advertisers. 

With reliable customer service, multiple targeting, customizable options, and efficient click costs, Taboola secures over 500 million daily active users, delivers over 500,000 recommendations per second, and serves approximately 9000 publishers and 15,000 advertisers. 

However, Taboola’s downside is its user interface, which could be hard to navigate for some, and the blacklisting doesn’t exist. 

Taboola Features: 

• Expand Your Reach: Connect with over a billion users and create personalized ads that resonate with your target audience. 
• Create Engaging Ads: Seamlessly blend into your audience’s content with crafted display ads using Taboola’s data-driven approach and diverse creative formats. 
• Maximize Your ROI: Drive impactful display campaigns that deliver measurable results, from increased brand awareness to higher conversion rates. 

7. Outbrain – Transparency within Open Web 

Outbrain, a pioneer in content discovery technology, empowers publishers to connect their content with the right audience. Its focus is on innovation.  

Through affordable traffic and practical monetization tools, Outbrain delivers high-quality results and transparency, making it a valuable partner for publishers and advertisers seeking to maximize their ROI. 

Outbrain Features: 

• AI Prediction: Outbrain uses AI to predict which content is most likely engaging to users, which can help improve marketing and publisher results.   
• Performance Driven: Outbrain offers efficient bidding tools that can help you maximize your return on ad spend. 
• Formats for Every Business: Outbrain offers various ad formats, including video, display, and native ads, so you can choose what best suits your business goals. 

What are Display Ad Platforms? 

A display ad platform, also known as an ad network, is a business that matches the publisher’s ad inventory with the advertiser’s demand for ad space. Simply put, the ad network is the middleman that has existed since the 1990s. It aggregates ad inventory and sells it further.  

Also, explore how a self-serve advertising platform simplifies the process, allowing you to launch ads without having marketing expertise.

How Do Display Ad Platforms Work? 

As mentioned above, the process is very straightforward on the front-end level: the ad network takes the publisher’s unsold ad inventory and sells it to advertisers. 

The process is more complex in the backend, but it allows us to explain more in-depth. The first step is marked by the onboarding of both the publisher and the advertiser, as each should list their offerings.  

Then, the advertisers customize their campaigns, inputting essential details like the goals, budgets, audience, and pricing model, often selecting from CPM, CPC, CPA, and others. 

The display ad networks search for the most appropriate supply from their publishers’ listings. The ad network analyzes the bidding process and places the ads at this step. 

Of course, publishers must integrate the ad network’s ad tags, allowing it to track ad performance. This is an essential step to ensure the quality of the data and, thus, reporting. 

Types of Display Ad Platforms 

As you’ve learned more about an ad network and how it works, it’s time to discover the many types of ad networks, as they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. 

We could mainly break down ad networks into inventory and programmatic categories.  

Inventory-based Ad Networks 

1. Horizontal Ad Networks offer various ad inventories across multiple industries, making it ideal for advertisers seeking to reach a broad audience and establish essential brand awareness. 
2. Vertical Ad Networks are specialized in specific niches, targeting highly relevant audiences within those industries for advertisers seeking to reach a particular demographic with tailored content. 
3. Premium Ad Networks offer exclusive access to high-quality ad inventory on top-tier websites, ensuring a premium experience for advertisers and audiences. 
4. Specialized Ad Networks, like vertical ones, offer targeted reach within specific industries but often provide a more comprehensive range of targeting options beyond interest niches. 

Programmatic Ad Networks 

1. Ad Arbitrage Platforms act as brokers, buying undervalued ad inventory in bulk and strategically reselling it at a higher price to maximize profits through targeted placements. 
2. Rep Firms prioritize publisher interests, focusing on selling high-quality ad inventory from reputable sources to advertisers. 
3. Ad Aggregators consolidate traffic from various sources into a single platform, offering advertisers a scalable solution. 

Benefits of Ad Networks 

Ease of Use and Increased Efficiency 

By nature, ad networks eliminate the need to find the best ad placement deals. Thus, advertisers aren’t required to negotiate for the best rates, as everything works through programmatic deals. 

Gain Wider Exposure 

Ad networks provide multiple traffic options tailored to different campaign goals, from reaching broad audiences to connecting with highly engaged users.  

For publishers, ad networks simplify monetizing their inventory without the hassle of direct brand negotiations. 

Budgeting and Flexibility 

Ad networks prioritize mutually beneficial partnerships. Many networks offer flexible payment options, allowing advertisers to select the pricing and payment models that best align with their financial goals and campaign strategies. 

Disadvantages of Ad Networks 

Lack of Authority 

Since ad networks are intermediaries, publishers and advertisers lose control. In contrast, an SSP sells ad inventory to display ad networks, or DSPs, which buy inventories and thus gain power and control. 

Also, the publisher doesn’t know exactly where and which ads will be displayed, and vice versa, making programmatic advertising technology much more transparent and direct. 

Pricing Methods and Values 

The bidding system within the top display ad networks often focuses on big advertisers with higher budgets, leaving small to medium advertisers or publishers on the bench. 

Choosing the Top Display Ad Networks 

Now, let’s find out how to choose the best display ad platforms and what to look for in such a medium. As you guessed, it depends on the size of the ad network, the quality of ads, and the best ad formats to serve you well. 

1. The Size of The Display Ad Platform 

As you already saw on some ad networks, we mentioned the size of the networks, which can give you a rough idea of how many ads they can deliver. 

The more comprehensive the ad network is, the more possibilities it offers publishers and advertisers while matching them. Thus, better targeting means better user engagement and higher CTR rates. 

2. Advertisement Quality 

Low ad quality is generally not a good idea, regardless of the medium, whether print or digital. These ads should also be viewed in terms of alignment with the target audience, regardless of your side of the fence.  

Indeed, some might view ad spaces as purely costs or revenue, yet these ads must find their tribe to snowball into significant returns. Thus, the number one key is relevance. 

3. Ad Formats Make the Ads Go Big 

Imagine you want to make a jigsaw puzzle, and somehow, you manage to fit all the pieces together, yet the bigger picture isn’t coherent. Or you are trying desperately to push a puzzle piece into a slot that isn’t supported. 

The same goes for ad formats and placements. So, choosing the most essential ad formats, understanding their benefits, and aligning them with your business and campaign goals is critical. 

Final Thoughts on Display Ad Platforms

The world of display ad platforms constantly evolves, offering various options to suit multiple business goals and budgets. By carefully considering factors such as target audience, campaign objectives, and platform features, you can identify the most suitable platform to achieve your desired results. 

Remember to stay updated on industry trends, leverage data analytics, and continuously test and optimize your campaigns to maximize your return on investment. With the right strategy and platform, display advertising can be a highly effective tool for driving brand awareness, generating leads, and boosting sales.