The Two Most Popular Blog Monetization Methods
When it comes to making money from a blog, two strategies dominate most beginner and intermediate bloggers' income streams: affiliate marketing and display advertising. Both can be profitable, but they work differently, suit different types of blogs, and have distinct advantages and trade-offs.
Understanding how each works — and which fits your blog — is the key to maximizing your income without sacrificing reader experience.
What Is Display Advertising?
Display advertising means placing ad banners and units on your blog, managed through an ad network. The network automatically serves relevant ads to your visitors, and you earn revenue based on impressions (CPM) or clicks (CPC).
Common display ad networks for bloggers include:
- Google AdSense — Easy to join, beginner-friendly, lower RPMs
- Mediavine — Premium network requiring 50,000 sessions/month minimum
- Raptive (formerly AdThrive) — Top-tier network, requires 100,000 monthly pageviews
- Ezoic — Lower traffic threshold, AI-optimized ad placement
The more traffic you have, the more you earn. Display ads are truly passive — once set up, they work around the clock without any action from you.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing involves recommending products or services and earning a commission when your readers make a purchase through your unique link. You don't handle inventory, shipping, or customer service — you simply connect readers with solutions they need.
Popular affiliate programs include:
- Amazon Associates (great for product-focused content)
- ShareASale and CJ Affiliate (access to thousands of brands)
- Individual brand programs (often higher commissions than networks)
- Software/SaaS programs (recurring commissions, often 20–40%)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Display Ads | Affiliate Marketing |
|---|---|---|
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Traffic required | High (more = more revenue) | Lower (targeted intent matters more) |
| Income type | Passive, predictable | Variable, higher ceiling |
| Reader experience | Ads can feel intrusive | Natural if well-integrated |
| Niche dependency | Low | High (must match product to audience) |
| Income potential | Scales with traffic | Scales with trust and intent |
When Display Ads Work Best
Display advertising is your strongest option when:
- Your blog generates large volumes of informational traffic (how-tos, news, entertainment)
- Your audience browses casually without strong buying intent
- You want completely passive income with zero active promotion
- You've reached thresholds for premium networks like Mediavine or Raptive
When Affiliate Marketing Works Best
Affiliate marketing outperforms display ads when:
- Your content targets buyers — reviews, comparisons, "best of" lists, tutorials
- Your niche has strong affiliate programs with meaningful commissions
- Your audience trusts your recommendations
- You have moderate traffic but highly engaged readers
A finance blogger with 10,000 monthly visitors recommending investment tools can earn significantly more than a general lifestyle blogger with 100,000 visitors and display ads — because buyer intent and commission rates are dramatically higher.
The Winning Strategy: Combine Both
Most successful bloggers use both methods. A common approach:
- Use display ads as a baseline passive income across all content
- Add affiliate links within relevant posts where product recommendations fit naturally
- Over time, identify which affiliate programs convert best and create more targeted content around them
The key is never letting ads or affiliate links compromise your content quality. Readers who trust you are your most valuable asset — protect that relationship above all else.
Final Thoughts
There's no single right answer. Start with what matches your current traffic and content type, then diversify as your blog grows. The best monetization strategy is the one that serves your readers while building sustainable income — and often, that means using both tools smartly together.