Top 8 Programmatic Ad Platforms Redditors Recommend For Sites Under 100k Monthly Views
Monetizing a website with less than 100,000 monthly visitors can be challenging. While larger sites attract premium programmatic ad platforms and direct sponsorship deals, smaller publishers must be strategic about which ad networks they use. Reddit, known for its brutally honest communities, offers a treasure trove of real-world experiences from fellow webmasters in the same boat. We’ve sorted through countless threads to bring you the top 8 programmatic ad platforms that Redditors consistently recommend for sub-100k traffic websites.
TL;DR
Smaller publishers often struggle with monetization due to traffic thresholds set by ad networks. Fortunately, several programmatic ad platforms are accessible, trustworthy, and reasonably profitable for websites under 100k monthly views. Reddit users commonly recommend networks such as Ezoic, Monumetric, and Media.net for their ease of use and fair payouts. This guide reviews the top 8 based on Reddit user feedback, transparency, and performance.
1. Ezoic
Ezoic is the most frequently mentioned platform among Redditors with modest site traffic. Optimized specifically for growth-stage publishers, Ezoic allows sites with as little as 5,000 monthly sessions to join (as of 2024). Its AI-powered layout testing and ad optimization are key selling points. Many Redditors say they saw at least a 20-50% bump in earnings when switching from AdSense.
- Minimum Traffic: 5,000 monthly sessions
- Payout Threshold: $20 (monthly via PayPal, Payoneer, or bank transfer)
- Reddit Consensus: Ideal for growth-focused sites with some traffic history
Redditors also praise Ezoic’s analytics dashboard, which gives performance data across different ad types.
2. Monumetric
Monumetric is another well-regarded monetization platform that offers great returns for smaller sites, especially blogs. It requires a modest minimum of 10,000 monthly pageviews. Reddit users note that while there’s an initial setup fee of around $99 (waived for sites with over 80k views), Monumetric’s hands-on onboarding and high fill rates make it worth it.
- Minimum Traffic: 10,000 monthly pageviews
- Payout Threshold: $10-$20 (monthly payouts)
- Reddit Consensus: Great ad revenues, especially for content-rich blogs and lifestyle sites
Many Redditors point out that Monumetric frequently outperforms Ezoic in RPM (Revenue per Mille) in categories like finance, parenting, and DIY.
3. Media.net
Owned by Yahoo and Bing, Media.net is a contextual ad network often compared to AdSense. Reddit users with content-heavy and niche sites—especially those related to B2B, software, or finance—report good eCPMs from Media.net. It doesn’t require a specific traffic volume for approval, but websites must meet content and quality thresholds.
- Minimum Traffic: No specific number, but quality matters
- Payout Threshold: $100
- Reddit Consensus: Good for niche content, especially business-related topics
Media.net works best when placed contextually within content. Redditors warn that generic lifestyle content may generate poor results here.
4. SHE Media (for women-led content)
SHE Media is a niche ad network specifically for women-focused content. Reddit users, particularly women blog owners, credit SHE Media for offering highly relevant and well-paying ads. It combines programmatic advertising with curated brand sponsorships, which can result in higher earnings compared to general ad networks.
- Minimum Traffic: 20,000 monthly views
- Payout Threshold: $20-$50 (varies depending on method)
- Reddit Consensus: A niche gem for female bloggers and content creators
Though not as versatile as Ezoic or Media.net, SHE Media shines where it’s relevant.
5. AdThrive (for nearing 100k views)
While AdThrive’s typical threshold is 100,000 monthly pageviews, many Redditors recommend applying slightly before hitting that mark. There are stories of publishers getting accepted with around 80-90k monthly views if they maintain high engagement levels and traffic quality. AdThrive caters to premium advertisers, so its RPMs are often 2x-4x higher than basic networks.
- Minimum Traffic: ~100k, but early approval possible
- Payout Threshold: $25
- Reddit Consensus: Ideal once you’re nearing or surpassing the 90k/month milestone
Publishers consider AdThrive a major milestone ad partner—once you qualify, you’re in a different revenue league entirely.
6. Newor Media
For those dissatisfied with AdSense but not ready for top-tier networks, Newor Media is a rising recommendation from Reddit. A relatively newer player, it provides header bidding technology and claims to be AdSense-compliant. Reddit users appreciate its minimal approval process and better-than-average fill rates.
- Minimum Traffic: Roughly 10,000 views/month
- Payout Threshold: $100
- Reddit Consensus: A solid AdSense alternative with good RPMs and low barrier to entry
It’s newer to the scene but gaining credibility fast among Reddit communities like r/Blogging and r/JustStart.
7. PropellerAds
Redditors frequently mention PropellerAds when discussing monetization for international traffic or non-English audiences. Although it supports formats like push notifications and pop-under ads, some users are cautious about intrusive ad formats. Still, many say earnings from PropellerAds exceeded their AdSense revenue for certain niches.
- Minimum Traffic: No minimum
- Payout Threshold: $5 (very low)
- Reddit Consensus: Best for non-US or mixed-language traffic, but use non-intrusive ad placements
If your site has global traffic and a higher bounce tolerance, PropellerAds can perform surprisingly well. Just be wary of implementing aggressive pop-ups as they can hurt your user experience.
8. Google AdSense
Despite newer competitors, Google AdSense is still frequently used by small publishers and continues to be recommended on Reddit for its reliability, ease of use, and low payment threshold.
- Minimum Traffic: None (but site must meet guidelines)
- Payout Threshold: $100
- Reddit Consensus: Still a dependable fallback, especially for beginners or niche micro-sites
While AdSense revenue isn’t stellar for low-traffic sites, it remains the Gold Standard for introduction into the world of online advertising. Reddit users advise combining it with affiliate marketing for better performance.
Bonus Tip: Consider Combining Networks
In many Reddit discussions, hybrid monetization strategies come highly recommended. Ezoic or Monumetric as a primary platform, combined with affiliate income and perhaps niche sponsorships, often yields the best results for sites under 100k monthly views. Adding an email list or selling your own digital product can help create more stability beyond CPMs.
Conclusion
Building up advertising revenue for a site under 100,000 monthly views isn’t easy, but it’s far from impossible. Thanks to Reddit users sharing their experiences openly, we can see clear trends about which platforms deliver the best results for small publishers. Each option has its pros and cons, but the key is to test multiple networks and optimize based on your own niche and audience behavior.
Start with what aligns with your site: Ezoic and Monumetric for general growth, Media.net for contextual niches, or Newor Media as a fresh, versatile alternative. As your audience grows, keep refining your monetization approach. With smart choices and patience, even a modest traffic site can generate meaningful income over time.