by Look, if you’re running gaming websites in 2026 and still trying to figure out which ad networks actually work, you’re not alone. I’ve been testing and reviewing these platforms for years now, and the landscape has shifted pretty dramatically. What worked great in 2023 might be leaving money on the table today, and some networks that were borderline back then have become genuinely excellent. The gaming vertical is also weird — it attracts tons of traffic but can be finicky with advertisers, so you really need to know what you’re doing.
I’m going to walk you through the ten networks that are actually worth your time right now. Not the ones that sound good on their sales pages, but the ones that real publishers are making real money with. I’ve tested all of these on various gaming properties, from esports news sites to indie game reviews to streaming-adjacent communities. Some of these are massive and reliable, others are newer and more aggressive, and a couple are niche plays that work incredibly well if you’ve got the right traffic profile.
Before I get into the details, here’s something quick you can scan to compare everything side by side.
| Network | Best For | Min Payout | CPM Range (Tier 1) | CPM Range (Tier 3) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdSense | Getting started, baseline revenue | $100 | $8-$15 | $1-$4 | 7.5/10 |
| Mediavine | High-quality content sites with 25k+ monthly visits | $25,000 | $25-$50 | $8-$18 | 9/10 |
| AdThrive | Content creators wanting hands-on support | $30,000 | $20-$45 | $7-$16 | 8.5/10 |
| Ezoic | Publishers wanting AI optimization and flexibility | $1,000 | $15-$35 | $3-$12 | 8/10 |
| Podium | Gaming content, esports, streaming-adjacent | $5,000 | $18-$40 | $5-$14 | 8.5/10 |
| BuySellAds | Direct sponsorships and brand deals | $500 | Sponsorship-based | Sponsorship-based | 8/10 |
| Conversant | Publishers with established traffic | Direct negotiation | $12-$28 | $2-$8 | 7.5/10 |
| SHE Media | Female-focused gaming and lifestyle content | Negotiated | $15-$32 | $5-$12 | 7.5/10 |
| Sovrn | Publishers wanting header bidding and flexibility | $5,000 | $14-$32 | $3-$11 | 8/10 |
| GumGum | Contextual advertising without cookies | Direct negotiation | $16-$38 | $4-$10 | 8.5/10 |
1. Google AdSense
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. AdSense is Google’s entry-level ad network, and honestly, for gaming websites, it’s usually not where you want to stay long-term. But it’s where almost everyone starts, and there’s a reason for that — it’s incredibly easy to set up, Google actually pays you, and the approval process is relatively painless if you’ve got legitimate content.
AdSense works by showing contextual ads based on your page content and the user’s browsing history. You paste some code on your site, Google handles the rest, and you get paid. The money hits your account by the 21st of every month if you’ve crossed the $100 threshold. For someone who just launched a gaming blog, this is literally the path of least resistance.
Here’s what you need to know about CPMs: Tier 1 traffic (US, UK, Canada, Australia readers) typically sees $8-$15 CPM with AdSense, sometimes higher if you’re hitting a really advertising-heavy vertical. Tier 3 traffic (everything else) drops off hard — we’re talking $1-$4 CPM. Gaming content specifically tends to underperform on AdSense compared to, say, business or finance content, which is annoying but consistent.
The pros are straightforward: it’s free to join, zero friction, doesn’t require you to have a minimum traffic amount, and it works immediately. You can literally have ads showing 10 minutes after you sign up. Google’s payment reliability is obviously excellent. And if your site gets a traffic spike, you scale automatically.
The cons are pretty significant though. You’re competing in an auction with literally millions of other publishers, so your rates are whatever the market says they are — usually not great. You can’t negotiate. Google has strict content policies that can seem randomly enforced. They also hold the right to disable your account for pretty vague reasons, and appeals can be painful. The company takes a cut (we don’t know exactly what percentage), so you’re not capturing full advertiser value. And here’s something people don’t talk about enough: AdSense inventory quality varies wildly. On some days you’re getting CPMs in the $12 range, other days it’s $4. That volatility makes planning difficult.
Skip AdSense if you already have more than 50,000 monthly visitors — you’re definitely leaving money on the table at that point.
2. Mediavine
Mediavine is kind of the gold standard for content publishers who’ve graduated past the beginner stage. They’re selective about who they work with — you need at least 25,000 monthly sessions to even apply — but if you get approved, you’re suddenly in a completely different earnings bracket than AdSense.
What makes Mediavine special is that they actually care about your revenue. Like, genuinely. They optimize your ad placements using machine learning, they limit the number of ads on your page so you’re not tanking your user experience, and they have a real team of people who manage your account. It’s not just automated.
The numbers are straightforward: Tier 1 gaming traffic usually hits $25-$50 CPM with Mediavine. I’ve seen gaming sites with really engaged US audiences hit $45-$65 CPM during peak seasons. Tier 3 traffic is still solid at $8-$18 CPM, which is a massive jump from AdSense. The difference is that Mediavine has access to better advertiser demand because they’re more selective and because they actively manage relationships with brands.
Pros: the earnings are seriously better, you get a dedicated account manager if you’re a decent-sized publisher, they have smart ad optimization that doesn’t annoy readers as much as some other networks, and they’ve been around for years so they’re reliable. They also have good transparency about how they’re making money and what you’re getting paid.
Cons: the approval process is rigorous and they’ll reject you if they don’t think your content is good enough or if your traffic is too niche. Gaming sites sometimes struggle here because they assume games = low-quality, but if your content is actually well-written and your audience is engaged, you’ll be fine. Also, the $25,000 monthly visit minimum is pretty high if you’re trying to get in and you’re just below it. They can also be kind of inflexible about some things — like if you want to test a different ad layout they might say no.
Skip Mediavine if your traffic is very niche and non-English speaking, or if your content is borderline in terms of quality — they really do care about that.
3. AdThrive
AdThrive is Mediavine’s main competitor, and honestly, they’re both strong options. The main difference is that AdThrive takes more of a hands-on approach with publishers. If Mediavine is the well-oiled machine, AdThrive is the consulting partner. They have a $30,000 minimum monthly visit threshold, which is slightly higher than Mediavine, but they’re also a bit more willing to work with niche content if they believe in it.
AdThrive also uses machine learning to optimize placements, but they’re more transparent about the testing they do and more willing to let you customize how your ads look and behave. They have a really active community of publishers who share strategies, which is valuable if you’re trying to level up your monetization game.
On gaming sites specifically, I’ve seen Tier 1 CPMs in the $20-$45 range with AdThrive, with some outliers hitting $50+. Tier 3 is around $7-$16. The ceiling is similar to Mediavine but the floor can be a bit higher, which I think is because they attract some different advertiser relationships.
Pros: the account managers are genuinely helpful, they optimize aggressively but transparently, they’re good about explaining what’s happening with your earnings, and they’ll work with you on custom setups if you have specific needs. The community is legit useful.
Cons: the approval process is similarly strict to Mediavine. You also need to move your DNS hosting to them, which feels invasive to some publishers but is actually fine in practice. The minimum is higher than Mediavine, so if you’re right at that 25k threshold, you might not qualify. They also sometimes seem a little slower to respond than Mediavine, though this could just be luck.
Skip AdThrive if you prefer to keep your hosting and technical setup completely independent, or if you’re not ready to commit to a relatively long-term partner.
4. Ezoic
Ezoic is the wild card. They have a $1,000 minimum (way lower than Mediavine or AdThrive), they’ll work with almost any content that’s legitimate, and they’re genuinely committed to using AI to optimize your ads. What you get is more chaotic than Mediavine, but also more flexible and accessible.
The core promise of Ezoic is that they’ll use their machine learning platform to test different ad configurations and find the one that makes you the most money. And honestly? It works. You upload your site to their platform (or integrate via their WordPress plugin), they run split tests on your traffic, and your ads adapt to what’s working. No human decision-making required, which is either liberating or unsettling depending on your perspective.
Gaming sites on Ezoic typically see $15-$35 CPM for Tier 1 traffic, which is respectable, and $3-$12 for Tier 3. These numbers aren’t quite as high as Mediavine or AdThrive, but the fact that you can access Ezoic at a much lower traffic threshold makes up for it. Plus, Ezoic takes a percentage cut (they’re transparent about it being around 10%), but their optimization sometimes makes up for it.
Pros: the barrier to entry is super low, the AI optimization is legitimately sophisticated and does seem to improve earnings, they’re very transparent about how they make money, and they’re flexible about partnerships. You can use Ezoic alongside other networks in some cases. They also have really good documentation and the technical integration is smooth.
Cons: the overall earnings are usually 10-20% below Mediavine/AdThrive once you’re at scale, because you’re not getting access to the same tier of advertiser relationships. The AI optimization is a black box — you don’t know exactly what it’s changing about your layout. Some publishers report that after initial gains, Ezoic can plateau. The platform itself is a bit clunkier than some competitors. And while they’re fine, their customer service isn’t quite as polished as Mediavine or AdThrive.
Skip Ezoic if you’re already approved for Mediavine or AdThrive and have Tier 1 traffic — you’ll make more money there.
5. Podium
Podium is the specialized play for gaming content. They focus specifically on gaming, esports, streaming, and adjacent communities. If you’re running a gaming news site, a competitive esports community, or even a Discord community with monetization in mind, Podium is built exactly for you.
What makes Podium different is that they understand gaming advertiser demand in ways that generalist networks don’t. Gaming companies, esports teams, streaming platforms, and gaming peripherals companies have different buying patterns and different budgets than, say, insurance companies or financial services companies. Podium specializes in these relationships.
The CPM numbers bear this out: Tier 1 gaming traffic on Podium hits $18-$40, which is actually competitive with Mediavine despite serving a smaller publisher base. Tier 3 is around $5-$14. What’s interesting is that Podium’s rates are more stable than some other networks — you don’t see as much day-to-day volatility because they’re matching advertiser budgets to gaming supply consistently.
Pros: they really understand gaming, so you don’t feel like you’re shoehorning gaming content into a generalist ad network. They have a $5,000 minimum which is reasonable. They’re transparent about rates and they’ll negotiate with you if you have specific needs. They actually engage with the gaming community instead of just treating it as inventory.
Cons: they’re smaller than Mediavine so they have less total advertiser demand in some months. They’re still growing which means infrastructure can occasionally be inconsistent. You get less of the white-glove service that comes with Mediavine. If your traffic is international and non-gaming-focused, they might not be the best fit.
Skip Podium if you’re running general entertainment or lifestyle content and just happened to mention games — they work best for dedicated gaming properties.
6. BuySellAds
BuySellAds is a completely different animal from the others on this list. Instead of automated contextual or behavioral ads, they focus on direct sponsorships and brand partnerships. This is as much a sales tool as it is an ad network.
Here’s how it works: you set up your inventory on their platform, brands browse available sponsorships, and you can negotiate rates directly with advertisers. You’re not getting paid based on CPM — you’re getting paid for specific campaigns. A sponsorship might be $2,000 for the month, or $5,000 for a banner placement, or whatever you negotiate.
The appeal is that if you have gaming industry connections or if brands actively want to reach your audience, direct sponsorships often pay more than programmatic ads. Like, way more. I’ve seen gaming publishers do sponsorships for $10,000+ per month with esports equipment companies or gaming platforms, which dwarfs what they’d make with CPM ads.
Pros: the potential earnings are high, you have control over which brands you work with, it can feel more professional and stable than CPM rates, and BuySellAds is excellent at matching you with relevant sponsors. The platform is easy to use.
Cons: revenue is unpredictable — some months you might have three sponsorships, some months zero. It requires you to actually sell or at least manage relationships. You can’t just turn it on and let it work. If your traffic is mostly international, brands might not care as much. It takes time to build momentum and attract sponsor interest.
Skip BuySellAds if you want consistent, automatic revenue — this is much more manual and deal-dependent.
7. Conversant
Conversant is an older, established network that’s been around forever (formerly ValueClick). They’re a major player in programmatic advertising with access to solid demand from a broad range of advertisers. They’re not exciting or flashy, but they’re reliable.
Conversant works with larger publishers directly (usually requires negotiation to get started) and provides access to their demand platform. They do direct relationships with advertisers rather than the auction-based approach of some networks, which means you’re getting more stable pricing.
For Tier 1 gaming traffic, expect $12-$28 CPM. Tier 3 is around $2-$8. These numbers are respectable but not exceptional, which is pretty consistent with Conversant’s positioning as a “solid, reliable” option rather than “best-in-class”.
Pros: they’re a known quantity with reliable payment, they have sophisticated demand-side relationships, and they can offer pretty good rates if you have the right traffic profile. They’re professional and straightforward to work with.
Cons: you typically need to have direct conversations with their sales team rather than being able to sign up online. The minimum traffic or revenue requirements aren’t always public (they negotiate). You’re often not their priority publisher compared to someone with millions of monthly visitors. Integration can be more involved than some newer platforms.
Skip Conversant if you have fewer than 100,000 monthly visitors — they’re really oriented toward larger publishers.
8. SHE Media
SHE Media is a specialized network focused on women-focused content. If your gaming site has a strong female audience (and increasingly, many gaming communities do), this is worth considering. They’re part of a larger publisher collective and have access to advertiser demand specifically interested in reaching women.
SHE Media has strong relationships with consumer brands that are specifically trying to reach female audiences — beauty, fashion, lifestyle brands that have also pivoted to gaming. Gaming has seen huge shifts in audience demographics, and SHE Media is legitimately tapped into that trend.
For gaming content with female-focused angles, you can expect Tier 1 CPMs around $15-$32. Tier 3 is around $5-$12. These rates are solid, and the key advantage is that advertisers on the SHE Media platform are specifically interested in female audiences, so the matching is more efficient.
Pros: if you have female audiences, the advertiser matching is better than generalist networks. They provide community and resources for women publishers. They have solid relationships with quality brands.
Cons: if your audience is primarily male, they might not be the best fit. The approval process can be slower. They’re smaller than Mediavine so advertiser demand fluctuates more. If you want to work with them, you basically need to demonstrate that you have female-focused content or audience.
Skip SHE Media if your gaming content has essentially zero female audience — you won’t get good rates because the advertiser matching is the whole point.
9. Sovrn
Sovrn is a publisher-friendly network that specializes in header bidding and flexible monetization. They’re probably one of the best-kept secrets among mid-sized gaming publishers because they offer solid rates with way less friction than Mediavine or AdThrive.
Sovrn gives you access to demand through header bidding (which means multiple advertisers bid on your inventory simultaneously, driving up prices) and they’re very flexible about how you integrate. You can use them alongside other networks in many cases, which is valuable. They also have direct relationships with advertisers, not just access to programmatic demand.
Tier 1 CPMs are typically $14-$32 with Sovrn. Tier 3 is around $3-$11. These are good numbers, not phenomenal, but the flexibility is what makes them interesting. You get header bidding sophistication at a lower tier of publisher than you might with other networks.
Pros: they’re very flexible and will work with you on integration. Header bidding does drive competition and higher CPMs. You can use them with other networks. The minimum is low at $5,000 monthly traffic. They’re genuinely publisher-focused, not just looking for huge publishers.
Cons: they’re smaller so advertiser demand can vary month to month. Your account manager relationship is less hands-on than Mediavine. The overall earnings ceiling is lower than the top networks. Integration requires a bit of technical sophistication.
Skip Sovrn if you prefer simplicity and don’t want to think about header bidding or technical configuration.
10. GumGum
GumGum is a contextual advertising network that’s become increasingly relevant as cookies go away and privacy regulations tighten. They use image recognition and contextual understanding to match ads to content without relying on user tracking, which is both a technical innovation and increasingly valuable legally.
For publishers tired of the complexity of behavioral targeting and privacy concerns, GumGum offers a clean alternative: they understand what your page is about by looking at the actual content, then serve relevant ads. They also detect brand-safety issues automatically, which means you’re less likely to end up with sketchy ads on your content.
Tier 1 CPMs on GumGum are around $16-$38 for gaming content. Tier 3 is around $4-$10. The rates are solid and, importantly, they’re relatively stable because they’re driven by contextual relevance rather than user behavior that fluctuates.
Pros: they’re genuinely privacy-first which is becoming a massive advantage as regulations change, brand safety is built in, you can feel good about the ads on your site, and the rates are competitive. They’re also straightforward to integrate.
Cons: they’re smaller than the big networks so if you’re looking for maximum earnings, you might not hit the ceiling. They require direct negotiation on terms for most publishers. If you really want behavioral targeting for maximum CPMs, contextual won’t quite get you there.
Skip GumGum if your entire strategy relies on behavioral targeting and you’re not concerned about privacy.
How to Pick the Right Network for Your Gaming Site
Alright, so you’ve got ten options and they all sound reasonably good. How do you actually decide? Here’s my framework:
First, know your traffic size and geography. If you’re under 25,000 monthly visits, you have exactly two paths: either start with AdSense and upgrade as you grow, or jump directly to Ezoic at $1,000/month. That’s it. The premium networks aren’t going to take you. If you’re 25,000-50,000, Mediavine and AdThrive are open to you but selective. Above 50,000, you have the full menu. Geography matters too — if 80%+ of your traffic is US/Tier 1, any of these networks will work. If you have significant international traffic, Ezoic or Podium are safer bets because they handle non-US audiences better.
Second, understand what your traffic profile actually is. Is it gaming-focused? General interest that happens to mention games? US-based? Global? Male, female, or mixed? Niche hardcore gamers or mainstream casual? These questions matter enormously. If you’re running a hardcore esports community, Podium might actually beat Mediavine. If you have a female-focused gaming audience, SHE Media could be your secret weapon. If your audience is international, don’t force yourself onto a network that prioritizes US brands.
Third, consider your technical comfort level.** Some networks want you to just drop in code and not touch anything (AdSense, Mediavine). Others require more tinkering (Ezoic, Sovrn). If you’re not technical, go with the plug-and-play options. If you’re comfortable with configuration and optimization, the flexible networks give you more upside.
Fourth, think about your revenue stability needs.** If you need predictable monthly revenue, direct sponsorships (BuySellAds) are better than CPM rates, which vary daily. If you’re okay with variance and want maximum upside, the optimization-focused networks (Ezoic, Mediavine) are fine. If you want steady middle-ground revenue, Sovrn or Podium are solid.
Fifth, do the math.** Actually calculate what each network would earn you based on realistic CPM estimates for your traffic profile. If you have 30,000 US gaming visits monthly and 70% from Tier 1 countries, and the rest Tier 3, you’d make roughly: $30k visits x 0.7 x $35 CPM (Mediavine) + $30k visits x 0.3 x $12 CPM = $735 + $108 = ~$843/month. Is that worth committing to the Mediavine approval process for you? Maybe, maybe not. Do the same math for Ezoic at the $1k minimum and see if the lower potential CPM is offset by easier approval and more flexibility.
Finally, start somewhere and be willing to change.** You’re not locked in forever. A lot of publishers end up doing a tier system: Mediavine for display, BuySellAds for sponsorships, Google AdSense as a fallback. Or Ezoic for automatic optimization plus direct sponsorships on the side. There’s no rule saying you can only use one network.
Five Common Questions About Gaming Ad Networks
Q: Can I use multiple ad networks at the same time?
A: Mostly yes, but with caveats. You can usually run, say, Mediavine plus BuySellAds for sponsorships, since one is CPM and one is direct. You can’t run Mediavine plus AdThrive since they’re in the same business and would compete on the same inventory. Google AdSense has rules about running alongside other networks — technically they forbid it, but enforcement is weak if your AdSense isn’t your main revenue source. Ezoic is flexible about partnerships. Podium and Sovrn can sometimes work alongside each other. The best approach: pick one primary network, then add complementary services (direct sponsorships, affiliate marketing, etc.) on top.
Q: Why are CPMs so much lower for non-US traffic?
A: Because advertising budgets are concentrated in wealthy countries. A US advertiser will pay $30-40 for a click from a US user but maybe $2-3 for a click from someone in Southeast Asia. It’s just demand economics. Advertisers have limited budgets and they optimize for ROI, which usually means focusing on wealthy markets. This isn’t a flaw in the networks — it’s just how digital advertising works globally. If your audience is mostly international, accept that CPMs will be lower and plan accordingly.
Q: How long until I see RPM improvements after joining a new network?
A: Usually 2-4 weeks. Most networks run learning algorithms or need time to build advertiser demand relationships. In the first week with a new network, your RPM (revenue per thousand impressions, which is different from CPM) might be 10-15% below what they eventually stabilize at. By week 3-4, you’ve hit normal levels. Don’t freak out if day one earnings look low. Give it a month before you draw conclusions.
Q: Is it worth switching networks if I’m making okay money right now?
A: Only if the potential earnings are significantly higher. If you’re on AdSense making $500/month and Mediavine would probably make you $2,000/month, obviously switch. But if you’re on Podium making $1,200/month and wondering if Sovrn could make $1,300, the switching cost in terms of time and effort probably isn’t worth it. There’s also always a risk of technical issues during a transition. I’d say only switch if the potential upside is 30%+ higher.
Q: What should my income expectations actually be?
A: Okay, this is real talk. If you have 50,000 monthly US gaming traffic with solid engagement, you should realistically make $2,000-$4,000 per month with a good network. If it’s 100,000 monthly visits, call it $4,000-$8,000. If you have significant international traffic, reduce those numbers by 50-60%. If your content is super niche and doesn’t attract mainstream advertisers, reduce by 30-40%. These are not get-rich numbers, they’re supplement-your-income numbers. Gaming specifically is lower-CPM than many verticals because advertiser perception of gaming audiences is still catching up to reality. A personal finance site with the same traffic would make 2-3x more. That’s just the truth of the vertical.
My Recommendation for You
Here’s my actual advice: if you have less than 25,000 monthly visits, start with Ezoic. It’s the only network that will take you, the platform actually works, and you won’t feel like you’re wasting time on something that’s not optimizing your revenue. Once you hit 25,000, revisit and apply to Mediavine or AdThrive. They’re better networks but they won’t take you until you’re proven.
If you’re at 25,000-50,000 visits with primarily US traffic and quality gaming content, apply to both Mediavine and AdThrive. Honestly, both are good enough that you’ll make a similar amount of money. Pick whoever approves you first, and you’re fine. If you get approved by both, test them for a month and pick the one that feels like the better partner for you.
If you’re above 50,000 visits and specifically a gaming property, actually start with Podium before you apply to Mediavine. Podium understands your audience better, their rates are competitive, and you might find out you make more money with them. Then use BuySellAds or direct sponsorships on top for extra revenue.
If you have significant international traffic (more than 40% non-Tier 1), Ezoic is your friend. They handle the CPM variability better than most networks because their optimization is automated. You’ll make more than you would on AdSense and the integration is smooth.
If you’re willing to do a bit more work and want maximum revenue, combine networks: primary CPM network (Mediavine, Podium, or Ezoic depending on your profile) plus BuySellAds for direct sponsorships plus affiliate marketing for gaming products. This is how publishers make real money. The sponsorships are often the secret 30-40% of revenue that tips a side project into actual income.
And here’s the thing nobody wants to hear: the network you choose matters maybe 20% of your earnings. The other 80% is traffic quality, content quality, and user engagement. If your bounce rate is 80%, changing networks won’t save you. If your articles are thin and nobody stays more than 10 seconds, more ad networks won’t help. Build great content first, optimize ads second. The networks are just making money from what you’ve already built.
That’s the honest truth of this business. Pick a network that fits your current size and profile, set it up, then focus on writing better content and driving better traffic. That’s what actually multiplies your earnings.
