Optimizing Ad Placement for Maximum Revenue
Learn strategic ad placement techniques that maximize revenue while maintaining excellent user experience and high viewability rates.
The Golden Rules of Ad Placement
Viewability First
Ads must be seen to generate revenue. Prioritize viewable positions.
User Experience
Never sacrifice UX for short-term gains. Happy users return.
Content Balance
Maintain healthy ad-to-content ratio (max 30% ad density).
Test Everything
A/B test placements to find what works for your audience.
Placement Strategies by Position
Above the Fold (ATF)
Place your highest-value ad unit here. Use 300x250 or 728x90 formats.
Best Practices:
- Ensure ad loads with page content
- Avoid pushing content below fold
- Reserve space to prevent layout shift
In-Content (Mid-Article)
Insert ads between paragraphs for natural reading flow.
Best Practices:
- Place after 2-3 paragraphs
- Use 300x250 or native formats
- Match ad style to content
Sidebar
Good for desktop, consider sticky behavior.
Best Practices:
- Use 300x600 or 160x600
- Consider sticky positioning
- Less effective on mobile
Below the Fold (BTF)
Use lazy loading to improve page speed.
Best Practices:
- Implement lazy loading
- Good for additional inventory
- Lower priority for optimization
Ad Sizes That Perform Best
| Size | Best For | Avg CPM |
|---|---|---|
| 300x250 | Universal - works everywhere | $3-6 |
| 728x90 | Desktop header/footer | $2-4 |
| 300x600 | Desktop sidebar | $4-8 |
| 320x50 | Mobile banner | $1-3 |
| 320x100 | Mobile large banner | $2-4 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too many ads above the fold
Poor UX, Google penalties, lower engagement
No lazy loading for BTF ads
Slow page load, poor Core Web Vitals
Ads that cause layout shift
High CLS score, frustrated users
Ignoring mobile optimization
Lost revenue from 60%+ of traffic
Get a Free Placement Audit
Our experts can analyze your current ad setup and recommend optimizations.