Ezoic vs Mediavine vs Raptive: which fits your traffic
The single biggest lever on your ad revenue isn't optimization — it's which network you're on. The same traffic can earn wildly different amounts depending on the network, and eligibility is mostly a function of how much traffic you have.
The network ladder
Think of ad networks as a ladder you climb as your traffic grows. AdSense takes anyone but pays the least. Ezoic sits in the middle and accepts smaller sites. Mediavine and Raptive are premium networks with real traffic thresholds — and they're where the meaningful RPMs live.
15,000 more sessions to unlock Mediavine
Network ladder
- No minGoogle AdSenseNo minimum — open to any approved site
- No minJourney by MediavineEntry-level premium, no traffic minimum
- 10,000 sessEzoicMiddle-tier, accepts growing sites
- 50,000 sessMediavinePremium network, higher RPMs
- 100,000 sessRaptiveTop-tier premium for large sites
AdSense — the starting point
No traffic minimum, easy to set up, and the lowest RPMs of the group. It's fine for getting started and proving a niche earns, but leaving a site on AdSense once it qualifies for more is leaving real money on the table.
Ezoic — the middle rung
Ezoic accepts sites well before they'd qualify for a premium network and typically lifts RPMs above AdSense through testing and better demand. It's the natural home for a growing site that isn't at premium scale yet.
Mediavine & Raptive — the premium tier
These are the networks worth aiming for. They carry traffic requirements, but in exchange you get materially higher RPMs and strong ad management. For most content sites, graduating to this tier is the single biggest revenue jump available — often without adding a single visitor.
Most sites don't have an ad-revenue problem. They have a wrong-network problem.
Use the estimator below to see roughly what your traffic and niche could earn on each tier.
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