Sreemoyee Bhattacharya, forfatter ved State of Digital Publishing

While advertisements serve as an important source of revenue for publishers and content creators, disruptive ads often hinder the user experience and cause visitors to skip a website or piece of content. 67% of users get disinterested and often navigate away from websites or videos owing to interruptive advertising experiences. With almost 32.5% of internet users using ad blockers in 2025-2026, publishers tend to lose 10% to 40% of their advertising revenue. With ad blockers causing a huge paradigm shift, today’s publishers often find themselves in a tight spot. While fewer ads restrict the scope of revenue, aggressive advertising might lead to abrupt bounce rates. Naturally, publishers are reconsidering the way ads are being delivered. They are constantly struggling to find ad solutions that can turn traffic into revenue without coming in the way of user experience or pushing visitors away. Not just user control- they are looking for monetization platforms that offer the perfect combination of flexibility, scalability, and format diversity. This is where HilltopAds comes into play. Ad blockers have a diverse impact on traditional formats like banner ads, costing publishers significant revenue opportunities. Keeping the modern-day requirements of publishers in mind, HilltopAds has been designed as an alternate ad network that makes sure publishers don’t have to count on traditional display advertising. Serving as a global traffic monetization platform, it helps publishers earn revenue from a multitude of ad formats- video ads, popunders, in-page ads, banners, MultiTag and DirectLink. The platform comes with advanced features such as GEO, device targeting, and ad safety solutions that have helped more than 30,000 publishers to monetize their websites. What is HilltopAds? HilltopAds is a publisher-centric and revenue-focused global traffic monetization platform. The platform reshapes the approach of publishers towards website traffic. Instead of treating every traffic the same way, it encourages publishers to go deeper. Not just ad impressions- the platform considers factors such as session behaviour, actions, location of the user, the device they are using, or the way they are engaging with the site. This approach helps publishers recover lost revenue opportunities. Unlike other ad networks, it gives publishers absolute control over how their ads are shown to their target audience. Instead of flooding the audience with generic ads, they segment ads according to the quality of traffic, location, device, user behaviour, or browser and place them accordingly. Audience filters and geo-targeting make sure the right advertisements reach the right audience at the right time. For example, publishers can show premium ads to traffic from tier 1 countries and choose alternate monetization models for other regions. The flexible ad format helps publishers earn revenue from every kind of traffic instead of depending on banner advertising, which often gets blocked. They can choose from more than 6 ad formats (video placements, popunders, in-page ads, banners, MultiTag, and DirectLink), segment them according to the requirements of the diverse base of audience across the globe, enhancing revenue potential. This self-serve platform also comes with ads-safe delivery and ensures only clean ads that help publishers create a sense of credibility. HilltopAds claims to be one of the highest-paying ad networks for publishers, but is it a sustainable monetization platform for both large-scale and small-scale publishers? In this analysis, we will dive deep into the features, strengths, as well as limitations of HilltopAds and analyze whether it is a practical choice for publishers in 2026. HilltopAds Features 1. Multi-format advertisements This is one of the biggest advantages that helps publishers have more control in terms of monetization of ads. Publishers don’t have to be restricted to display banner ads, which often fail to perform because of ad blockers. Based on the traffic and audience preferences, they can choose from a wide range of ad formats- in-page ads, video slider, popunders, multi-tag units and DirectLink and more and place them accordingly so that no revenue pathway is lost in the process. For example, in-page ads are suitable for content-heavy sites like educational or travel blogs, video ads are suitable for gaming platforms, whereas Directlink is suitable when the traffic source primarily comes from social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram. 2. Multi ad tag optimization This saves the time and effort of publishers while enhancing their profit potential per session. They don’t have to go through the manual process of trial and error of checking which tag performs better for a particular kind of traffic. The performance of tags may vary depending on the source of the traffic, demographics, session behaviour, language, device, or other factors. With this feature, publishers can run multiple ads simultaneously and let the platform analyze and identify which tag performs the best for the relevant traffic, ensuring the maximum revenue for publishers per session and enhanced fill rates. 3. Direct Link Direct Link makes sure that publishers can earn revenue from traffic even if they don’t have a website or don’t want to depend on traditional ads. Through a link-based system, publishers can monetize traffic without relying on page views, hosting, or banner ads. It is primarily suitable for traffic for social media platforms, communities, or groups. When a visitor clicks on a post or a landing page, they are automatically redirected to the most premium advertiser available, where the revenue potential is maximum. Even when the scope of standard display ads seems limited, publishers can earn from other sources like social media or mobile traffic. 4. GEO and device targeting Generic ads often fail to strike the right chord with the audience and lead to missed revenue opportunities. The GEO and device targeting feature of Hilltop Ads helps publishers tap into the international audience market by segmenting ads based on their demographics, browser, user behaviour, and even devices from which they are logged in. For example, people from Tier 1 countries such as the UK can be targeted for premium CPM campaigns for luxury products, whereas push notifications are more suitable for Android users from lower-demand regions to ensure stronger conversion rates. 5. Ads-safe Delivery Display CPMs almost fail to get any visibility or generate significant revenue because of ad blockers. Though Hilltop Ads does not override ad blockers, it navigates its way through other ad formats that are not affected by ad blockers. Even if the user activates the ad-blocker option, the ad still may get delivered through popunders, Direct Link, or in-page ads, making sure nothing comes in the way of monetization. Publishers can still reach out to the target audience and recover value from blocked sessions. 6. Dashboard with real-time insights For publishers, acting on time is imperative for driving maximum revenue and conversions. The real-time performance dashboard of HilltopAds makes it easy for publishers to constantly track how the ads are performing in various traffic sources. They don’t have to wait till the end of the week for performance-related updates. The data on the dashboard gets updated every 15-20 minutes, helping publishers to keep a tab on their earnings and analyze which ad format, session, or traffic source is driving maximum revenue. Besides, they can also monitor CPM shifts, fill rates, the impact of ad blockers on ad delivery, and other factors. This can help them take informed decisions and optimize accordingly without counting on guesswork. 7. Ad safety Besides earning revenue, earning the trust of users is also very important for publishers. Low-quality ads or spam don’t just ruin user experience. These often make publishers lose user trust and often hamper the reputation of the site. HilltopAds makes sure that the ads are thoroughly reviewed and approved by the platform before they start running. This helps the site retain traffic and enhance engagement level, while protecting the integrity of the site. 8. API Integration Keeping the requirements of large-scale publishers in mind, HilltopAds comes with advanced API tools that can help them manage and have control of multiple sites. Be it regulating monetization, keeping a track of performances, earnings, custom reporting, or optimizing ad placements, everything can be controlled and streamlined from one dashboard through API access. Account Setup & Onboarding Registering as a publisher Keeping the diverse requirements of publishers in mind, the onboarding process of HilltopAds is designed to be simple. Be it a large-scale or a budding publisher, anyone can sign up as a publisher. There is no minimum traffic requirement. Simply go to hilltopads.com, and you will find a sign-up button. Click on it. The next step would involve going to the registration page and choosing the ‘publisher’ option. Then, put in important details such as name, email-id and set up a new password. If the terms seem acceptable to you, it’s time to sign up. This process does not involve any charge. Your account is successfully created You will receive a verification mail from HilltopAds. Once you confirm the mail, you will be navigated to the publisher dashboard. Setting up your account After you log in, it is important to complete the invoice details before adding sites to set up monetization. From the publisher dashboard, click on ‘my account’ in the left panel. Go to the Profile section from My Account, check your name and email. Make sure you are in publisher mode. It’s time to complete the details of your invoice. Verify whether you are an individual or a company, and specify other details such as country and city. Select the method of payment according to your preference. There are multiple methods available, such as PayPal, Bitcoin, USDT, Wire Transfer, WebMoney, Wise, and more. You can change the method any time. After you enter the payment credentials, the minimum threshold should be mentioned. For HilltopAds, the low minimum payout is $20, except for Bitcoin and Wire Transfer. Publishers are paid on a Net-7 basis, with payouts processed every Tuesday. If the minimum payout threshold is not reached for a given week, the earnings are automatically carried over and paid out the following week once the threshold is met. Once you save all the information, you are all set to receive payments. To make sure your safety is not compromised, you can also enable two-factor authentication. Adding and Authenticating Your Website 1. The method of adding and verifying your websites is also hassle-free. 2. On the left menu of your dashboard, you will find the ‘Manage Sites and Zones section.’ 3. As the first step, click on ‘Add site’. 4. You will come across a pop-up section. Here, just enter the root domain of your site, but make sure you leave out (http/www). 5. Then you have to choose your site category. In case your content is suitable for the audience of all ages, choose mainstream. If your content is designed for adults where viewer discretion is advised, choose non-mainstream. 6. Then, verify your website ownership by uploading a file. You will be provided with a text file. Download it and make sure you upload it to the root folder of your website through your hosting or panel. 7. You can complete this process by adding a metatag. Copy the code and paste it to the head tag of your homepage. 8. Make sure the placement is correct, otherwise the site may not be verified. 9. Once the process is complete, click on ‘Verify Site’. 10. The HilltopAds team will go through the details and verify your site. Adding Ad Zones and installing ad codes Ad zones or slots determine how your ads will be visible on your website (footer, banner, sidebar or other sections). The site verified by you will be available on the ‘Manage Sites and Zones’. Click on Ad zones just beside your verified site. Name the zone according to your preference. Choose the ad format from the wide range of options supported by the platform and click on ‘add zone’. A JavaScript ad code will be generated by the platform. For optimum revenue (10-30% growth) on your website, use the JS code. Copy the code, go to your site and paste it. In case you use WordPress, paste it into your header or footer. Make sure the placement is before the . Follow the same method for every ad format. The ads start running on the site without disrupting the user experience of the visitors. Make sure that you don’t choose too many ad zones. Getting started with the dashboard of the Hilltop Ads Account The dashboard of the HilltopAds Account works as the control panel that can help publishers manage and keep track of everything, ranging from the account, profile details, monetization, payment methods, traffic, API access, referral earnings, and more. Since HilltopAds is a self-serve platform, the user-friendly dashboard reflects the approach and makes it easy for publishers to understand all the uses and features through a streamlined interface. Once you log in, you can add sites, check which ad formats are resonating with the audience and driving more conversions. The real-time insights help them keep track of ad performances and optimize accordingly. 1. Account This is the section where you can view and edit all your personal details, such as account ID, publisher balance, payment method, password, and more. You can also select the language of your preference. Keeping the requirements of global publishers in mind, there are seven languages supported by HilltopAds. The list includes English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic. From the account section of the dashboard, you can also change your password. In case you want to change your email, you can’t do that without getting in touch with your personal manager. You can also get your dual access as an advertiser and publisher from this section. In case you want to add or change the payment method, you can do that from the ‘payment information subsection.’ There are more than 10 payment methods to choose from, which also include crypto support. You can also set your minimum payout amount here. Based on the Net7scheme, publishers will receive payment every Tuesday. To strengthen the security of your site, you can also enable two-factor authentication here. Whether you want to monitor payments or manage campaigns, you can also create an API key from this section. 2. Payment History The dashboard homepage offers you an overview of your total revenue for the last two weeks. Not just past payments, you can also keep an eye on your upcoming payments or available funds. Publishers can understand whether the traffic is bringing in the required revenue. However, if you want granular details of your learning based on traffic, geo-targeting, or device, you can get them from the Statistics section. 3. Statistics This is one of the most important sections that can help you understand whether the advertisements are performing well, attracting the right audience and bringing significant revenue while they are running. You will find this section under the publisher menu. Be it clicks, impressions, or CPM, you can get detailed performance reports by clicking on ‘Get Statistics’. You can even segment the report based on various parameters likelocation, ad zones, date, advertiser type, group, or more. This helps you optimize RPM based on real-time insights and get better results.For eg, Video ads work better for traffic from certain locations or devices, or in-page ads may underperform for certain groups. Based on these results, you can keep experimenting for a greater success rate.Some of the advanced analytics will only be available after you launch campaigns. Make sure you complete the payment details to get a breakdown of performances. 4. Manage Sites & Zones From this section, you can add and verify sites which you want to be monetized. You can even add ad zones and determine how and where you want the ads to be shown to the visitors. Based on the traffic requirement, you can also choose the ad formats from the plethora of options. The ad format will be placed on the website based on the zone. In case you don’t own a site and want to monetize your social media group, you can also set up a Direct Link from here. 5. Referral Offers HiilltopAds also opens new revenue opportunities for publishers through its referral programs. If you refer other publishers to Hilltop Ads, you can get 5% of the cumulative revenue generated by the new user throughout their tenure. For the VIP referral program, the commission amounts to 10%. You will receive this payment on a weekly basis. Go to the referral program to get the referral link or banner ad. To learn more about the VIP program and eligibility requirements, you can request details directly from your personal manager. There are multiple ways to create a buzz and introduce new publishers or advertisers to this platform. If you have had a satisfactory experience working with HilltopAds, you could describe it through an article or a post and encourage others to sign up through a referral link. You can also embed the link on your website. Every time a new publisher or advertiser gets connected to HilltopAds through your link, you end up getting a commission. 6. FAQ Section In case you are facing any difficulty in navigating your through HilltopAds, adding your account, or monetizing your website, you can find your answers in the FAQ section. This section is a collection of the most commonly asked questions by the visitors. It has all the important and organized information in place and can help every user to leverage the platform without any scope of confusion. In addition, each account is assigned a personal manager whom you can contact with any questions or issues. Your manager’s contact details are available directly in your account, ensuring you always have direct support when needed. Direct Link - Monetization Beyond Websites With HilltopAds, you don’t necessarily have to own a website to earn revenue from traffic. It can even help bloggers, community managers, and social media content creators monetize their traffic without technical barriers. The monetization format on the Direct Link of HilltopAds doesn’t rely on impressions but clicks. It features a pop-under style ad which gets activated when visitors click or tap on a certain section of the website. Be it images, bio links, or buttons, publishers can decide the timing and what kind of user interaction would trigger the link to open, depending on what engages the audience the most. These links can be pasted anywhere- community posts, descriptions, story links, or even comments on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram, where traditional banner ads or embedding ad codes are strictly forbidden. When they click on the link, they are taken to the pre-landing page with relevant information, and then, they are directed to the ad offer. However, publishers should make sure that the direct link is placed strategically with relevant content aligned with the offer that prompts the user to take the next action. This ensures that the conversion funnel is seamless. Also, while placing the links on certain sections, publishers must be mindful as some platforms have strict rules about the placement of direct links on certain sections. Also, make sure that the ad offers are aligned with the traffic requirements to ensure maximum conversions. Even for monetization through Direct Link, there is no minimum traffic requirement. Large scale content creators or budding bloggers with a modest number of followers can monetize the traffic as long as the visitors exhibit the required engagement level to click on the link. Setting up and Monetizing Direct Link This process is also easy and hassle-free and doesn’t involve any technical integration. Go to the HilltopAds account interface, and navigate to ‘Manage Sites and Zones’. Choose an ad offer that might appeal to your audience. You will find the option of ‘Add Direct Link’ here. Click on it. Insert a Direct Link name according to your preference. However, this should be aligned with the ad offer. In case you are trying to monetize Instagram users with lifestyle product-related offers, specify ‘Lifestyle products’ as the name. Based on the age-restriction of the traffic sources, choose the category (mainstream or non-mainstream. The direct link URL is created. Choose any CMS platform to create a pre-landing page with relevant information about the ad offer. Make sure it contains a strong CTA. Link the CTA with the link of the Direct Link. Now, attract the Facebook audience with a creative post with engaging information about the offer and link it strategically with the pre-landing page, in a way that prompts the users to click on it. This will make sure the engagement level of the traffic is high and lead to enhanced CPM rates. To be open to monetization, get in touch with your designated manager through Telegram, Skype, or email and ask them to link the ad offer to the Direct Link created by you. Make sure that you don’t post a raw direct link on the social media platform directly or your account might be blocked or your revenue potential will be restricted. Website Monetization through Direct Link Direct Links can also be used by website owners. In case you want to monetize your website, follow these steps: In the same way, click on ‘Manage Sites & Zones’ on your publisher account. Once you click on Add Direct Link, specify the name of your direct link and assign a category. Copy the Direct Link code or URL and paste it to the code of your blog or website. Ensure that it is inserted before the closing tag/. The visitors on your website can click on the button. And then, they will be directed to the Direct Link. The ads will be displayed to the audience. Customization Features 1. Ad- formats and ad zones HilltopAds doesn’t confine the publishers to a one-size-fits-all approach. Every audience and platform has a different requirement. In-page ads might resonate more with lifestyle blogs, while pop-under ads might be perfect for entertainment sites. Based on the type of platform, content type and traffic engagement, publishers can choose from the wide variety of ad formats and experiment with multiple combinations to discover the most effective format that drives maximum results. For example, for maximum revenue, publishers can choose Pop-under ads, while if the maximum source is from social media, they can choose Direct Link. Publishers can also determine the ad experience by selecting the ad zone where they want the advertisement to be placed. 2. Advanced Traffic Segmentation Though every traffic source is important, not every visitor has the same value. At HilltopAds, publishers can segment the traffic based on various parameters such as the source they are coming from- websites, social media handles, or other platforms and the way they engage with the content. Publishers can also optimize the ad offers based on the location of the audience. Through a strategic approach, they can focus more on the high-value markets through the most sought-after campaigns and find other revenue opportunities for tier 3 countries. This ensures that they cater to every type of audience spread across the globe through appropriate ad offers. Instead of following a uniform approach, publishers also customize ad experiences according to the devices or browsers used by the audience and enhance revenue potential. 3. Frequency of ads Showing excessive ads to the audience can be overkill. This not only frustrates the audience but often leads to a massive loss of traffic. HilltopAds makes sure that publishers have perfect control over how frequently the ads should be shown to the audience to prevent over-saturation. They make sure that the number of ads shown to the audience is specified to a limit and ensure the ads shown to the users are not repetitive. This makes sure that they can control the monetization aspect while retaining the audience they are targeting. 4. Optimization strategy Based on the amount of control you want to have, you can choose between a manual or an automated setup. If you want to have more control over the ad formats you want to show, the audience customization based on the requirements, and goals, you can choose the manual setting. The multi-tagging option is also available for publishers who want to rely on the platform’s performance logic to identify which ad format is the most effective for the audience and can maximize the earnings. This way, publishers don’t have to interfere with the process of continuous optimization. Pricing Hilltop Ads is suitable for both niche and large-scale publishers, as they don’t have to pay any subscription fee to use the platform. The earning model is essentially performance-focused and is based on impressions generated by traffic. Essentially, the platform follows the CPM model, which indicates that the revenue potential of the publisher is based on 1000 ad impressions generated by the traffic. Some of the factors that determine the earnings would be the ad format, demographics, or quality of traffic. However, the platform also allows publishers to earn from CPA and CPC models. Unlike many other networks that pay publishers on a monthly basis, the NET-7 payout system pays users 7 days after the billing cycle ends. Publishers are paid every Tuesday based on the UTC time zone. They can withdraw their earnings as soon as they reach the minimum payout threshold. The minimum payout limit is $20, but the amount depends on the payment platforms you are choosing. This gives publishers the freedom to choose a payment platform based on their scale of operations. Support Though HilltopAds is designed to be a self-serve platform, new users might face difficulty along the way. Keeping this in mind, it has strong customer support that offers assistance through multiple channels like Skype, Telegram, or live chat. Whenever users face any roadblock, they get in touch with the customer support team. When a new user logs in, they get the expert assistance of a dedicated account manager who can help with changing email, setting up the account, creating direct links, or optimizing ad campaigns based on real-time insights. You can also reach out to the team at support@hilltopads.com or via massenger. The FAQ section also features common queries that can come in handy for users. However, the extent of support provided by the team depends on the quality of your traffic or the reputation of the site. Well-reputed sites with massive traffic tend to get more prompt responses from the team, compared to low-tier publishers. OfferGate, Affiliate network, Software had a pleasant experience with the support team. According to them, “There have never been any questions about the manager's work, everything is always fast, efficient both in terms of answers and in terms of solving urgent issues. There have also never been any problems with the launch.” HilltopAds Review Review Here is what we loved about HilltopAds Since there is no traffic requirement for monetization, publishers of every stature can use the platform to earn revenue. Even if ad blockers are activated, most of the ads reach the target traffic through other methods. In tier 1 countries, the CPM rates are massive. In tier 2 markets, where the CMP is significantly less, the flexible structure of HilltopAds makes it easier for publishers to monetize through more traffic, enhanced fill rates, and accurate targeting strategies. The dashboard is user-friendly, and the streamlined interface is designed keeping the convenience of new users in mind. Keeping the unique requirements of publishers in mind, HilltopAds also offers custom ad delivery. The direct link of HilltopAds adds value to content creators who find it difficult to earn revenue from their social media despite having massive traffic. The NET-7 payout system processes payments every Tuesday. This truly adds value to emerging publishers and makes sure they don’t have to wait for revenue till the end of the month. Areas of improvement Though the traffic volume is around 73+ billion monthly impressions, the traffic quality could be erratic in certain locations. Large-scale publishers receive better customer support than emerging publishers. There are many filters available, but the reporting analytics and auto-optimization tool can be more nuanced for better tracking. The approval method and compliance checks can seem too strict, as the user account is blocked if the traffic sources don’t seem credible. Final Thoughts HilltopAds has been able to add value to the publishing industry owing to its inclusive nature. Whether you are a top-tier publisher, a blogger, or a budding content creator, HilltopAds makes the platform accessible to all. It shows significant potential as it moves past traditional formats and paves diverse paths of monetization. It stands out by redirecting its emphasis on sessions, and not impressions, further strengthening the revenue potential for publishers. HilltopAds is the perfect option for publishers who have a global audience and want to expand their network further. While the traffic quality can be inconsistent, the adaptable monetization strategies, 100% fill rates, impressive CPM rates across all regions, wide flexibility, and advanced targeting make it a powerful tool for publishers who want to scale with confidence and control.

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