Today, we’re diving headfirst into the native ads roller coaster. As an affiliate marketer myself, I’ve got some real talk about native ads and why, in 2024, my cash is finding a new home. Now, I know this might ruffle some feathers – after all, there are folks out there killing it with native ads. But for me? It’s time to look elsewhere, and here’s the lowdown on why.
Again for those who like videos here you go:
The Case Study That Spilled the Beans
It all kicked off a couple of weeks back during a Power Hour session on powerhouseaffiliate.com. I was all set to launch this heater offer on Outbrain. You know, those ads you see chilling under the big news stories on sites like Fox or CNN. Well, just as Outbrain gives the green light, the offer gets yanked. Talk about lousy timing!
Why I’m Hitting Pause on Native Ads
After swapping the offer and dropping over 200 bucks into Outbrain, what did I get? Zilch. Nada. No conversions, and the cost per click (CPC) had me seeing stars. Nearly a buck per click for native ads? That’s nuts, especially when platforms like YouTube and Facebook can give you highly targeted, converting traffic for less.
I even chatted with some other folks in the game, and guess what? They’re seeing CPAs (Cost Per Acquisition) for e-commerce offers on native ads hitting the roof, like $70-$90. And here I am, aiming for a CPA in the $30-$40 ballpark. Doesn’t take a genius to see something’s off.
The Bigger Picture: Why Native Ads Are Tripping
It’s not just my campaign hitting a minor snag. There’s a bunch of stuff going on with native ads that’s making it tough for affiliates like us:
- Approval headaches are real. What used to be a breeze is now a back-and-forth saga, thanks to tighter rules.
- Sky-high ad costs are turning profitable campaigns into pipe dreams.
- Search and content arbitrage is messing with CPCs, making it pricier for us regular Joes to get a foot in the door.
- And let’s not even start on ad fraud. It’s like the Wild West out there, with bot traffic making us question every click.
What is Search Arbitrage?
Search arbitrage is a digital marketing strategy where an advertiser buys traffic through low-cost pay-per-click (PPC) ads on one platform (like social media or other ad networks) and then directs that traffic to a landing page filled with higher-paying ads (often from another network like Google AdSense). In search Arbitrage, it is linked to links provided from places like Tonic who is a search ads partner. The goal is to earn more from the clicks on the higher-paying ads than what was spent on the initial PPC traffic. This strategy leverages the difference in cost and payout between traffic sources and ad networks.
Why It Matters for Affiliates:
- Competition and CPC Inflation: Search arbitrage and content arbitrage can significantly impact affiliates by inflating the cost per click (CPC) on ad platforms. As arbitrageurs bid for traffic, they can drive up the price of ads, making it more expensive for affiliates to buy traffic for their campaigns.
So, What’s the Native Ads Game Plan?
Here’s where my head’s at: While $211.20 might not break the bank, it’s clear as day that sinking more into native ads is like throwing good money after bad. If I were to give native another shot, I’d go for offers with beefier CPAs, but honestly? The landscape’s got me thinking twice.
Platforms like Google and Facebook, where the traffic’s legit and the clicks don’t cost an arm and a leg, are where it’s at for me right now. Why chase after native ads when there’s plenty of action (and profit) to be had elsewhere?
Your Two Cents
I’m laying it all out there, but I wanna hear from you too. Got a different take on native ads? Crushing it with your campaigns? Drop your thoughts below and let’s get the convo going.
Wrapping It Up
That’s the lowdown on native ads from my corner in 2024.
Till next time, keep your marketing smart and your investments smarter. Peace out, affiliates.
