Google AdSense is the most commonly recommended starting point for monetizing a blog, but it's far from the only option — and may not even be the highest-paying one for established sites. This article compares AdSense, Ezoic, and Mediavine across the metrics that matter most: RPM, requirements, setup complexity, and real publisher earnings.
Quick Overview: Three Ad Networks
| Factor | Google AdSense | Ezoic | Mediavine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min Traffic | No minimum* | No minimum* | 50K sessions/month |
| Avg RPM (US) | $2–$15 | $5–$25 | $15–$50 |
| Revenue Share | 68% publisher | ~70-80% | ~75% |
| Payment Min | $100 | $20 | $25 |
| Site Speed | Minimal impact | Can slow site (CDN helps) | Good optimization |
| Best For | New/small sites | Growing sites | Established blogs |
*AdSense has content quality requirements but no traffic minimum. Ezoic historically required 10K/month but removed this requirement in 2022.
Google AdSense: Best for Beginners
AdSense is the easiest to get approved for (no traffic minimum) and the most universally available network. It's the best choice when you're just starting out and have fewer than 10,000-20,000 monthly visitors. RPM is typically the lowest of the three, but approval is the most accessible.
Ezoic: Best for Growing Sites
Ezoic uses AI to test thousands of ad placement combinations and serve the highest-paying version to each visitor. Publishers consistently report 2-5x higher RPM versus AdSense alone. However, it does add complexity to your setup (Cloudflare integration or nameserver change required) and can slightly impact page speed if not properly configured.
Mediavine: Best for Established Blogs
Mediavine is widely considered the gold standard for lifestyle bloggers. Their concierge-level support, superior ad optimization, and high-quality advertiser relationships mean top-tier RPM. However, they require 50,000 sessions/month with primarily long-form content. This is the goal for most serious bloggers.
The Publisher Growth Path
Most successful publishers follow this progression:
- Start → Apply for Google AdSense (any traffic level)
- Grow to 10K+ monthly sessions → Add Ezoic for higher RPM
- Hit 50K+ monthly sessions → Apply for Mediavine and maximize earnings
- Scale beyond 100K sessions → Consider Raptive (formerly AdThrive) for top-tier earnings
🚀 First Step: Get AdSense Approved
All paths start with AdSense. Use our free checker to verify your site is ready to apply today.