Ep 7: Ad network vs ad exchange

Quick quiz. Is AdSense an ad network or an ad exchange?

An ad network resells many sites’ ad space. An exchange is an open auction marketplace.

A network gathers ad space from lots of sites, sells it to its advertisers, and takes a cut. An exchange lets many buyers and sellers meet, and auctions every impression. AdSense is Google’s ad network. Google Ads advertisers and other approved buyers bid, Google runs the auction, and you get a share. For display ads, say an advertiser spends one dollar. Google Ads keeps, on average, fifteen cents. Of the eighty-five cents left, AdSense pays you eighty percent. That’s sixty-eight cents. AdX is Google’s exchange, reached through Google Ad Manager, with more of your own controls, like floors and private deals.

In AdSense, open Brand safety, Content, Blocking controls, then Authorized buyers. That’s who bids on your site.

Next, direct-sold, programmatic and remnant. Three ways inventory sells.