10 Taboola Alternatives That Actually Deliver Results in 2025

Here’s a crazy stat that’ll blow your mind: native advertising hit $85.83 billion last year. That’s billion with a B. And guess who’s eating up most of that pie? Yep, Taboola and their buddies.

Three years ago, I was sitting in a client meeting when they dropped a bombshell: “Our Taboola costs just doubled, and performance is tanking.” That’s when I realized we needed to find better alternatives—fast. What followed was six months of testing everything from tiny startups to enterprise platforms, burning through way too much coffee and client budgets in the process.

Look, I’ve probably wasted more money testing crappy ad platforms than most people spend on their cars. But here’s what I learned after throwing around a few million in ad spend across 20+ platforms—most of them promise the moon and deliver a handful of dirt.

So I figured, why not save you the headache I went through? Here are the 10 platforms that actually work, ranked by someone who’s blown real money testing them.

Table of Contents

• TL;DR: Quick Platform Comparison

• Platform Comparison Table

• Criteria Breakdown Summary

• Outbrain – Premium Native Advertising Leader

• MGID – Publisher-Friendly Revenue Champion

• RevContent – Performance-Driven Native Platform

• StackAdapt – Multi-Channel Programmatic Powerhouse

• Amazon Advertising DSP – Shopper Intent Goldmine

• Microsoft Advertising – Lower Competition Alternative

• LinkedIn Marketing Solutions – B2B Targeting Precision

• Monetag – Versatile Multi-Format Network

• Adsterra – Global Coverage Specialist

• Yahoo Native – Brand-Safe Premium Inventory

• Notable Mentions Worth Considering

• FAQ: Common Questions About Taboola Alternatives

• Final Thoughts: Making Your Platform Selection

TL;DR: Quick Platform Comparison

Alright, let’s cut to the chase. You’re busy, I get it. Here’s the cliff notes version of what actually works when you need taboola alternatives that don’t suck:

Outbrain – The fancy country club option. Great traffic, but good luck getting approved without serious cash and perfect content.

MGID – My go-to for smaller publishers. That 65% revenue share isn’t just marketing fluff—it’s real, and their approval process won’t make you want to scream.

RevContent – Solid performer once you figure out their quirks. Just don’t expect miracles on day one.

StackAdapt – For when you want to feel like a programmatic wizard. Seriously advanced stuff, but you’ll need a brain and a budget.

Amazon Advertising – If you’re selling stuff people actually want to buy, this is your goldmine. Just prepare for gladiator-level competition.

Microsoft Advertising – The underdog that actually punches above its weight. Lower costs, older audience with money to spend.

LinkedIn Marketing Solutions – B2B targeting so precise it’s almost creepy. Expensive as hell, but worth it if you’re selling to suits.

Monetag – The scrappy newcomer that accepts everyone. $5 minimum payout? Yeah, they’re not kidding around.

Adsterra – Instant approval and they’ll take traffic from Mars if it’s legal. Perfect for testing weird stuff.

Yahoo Native – Remember when Yahoo was cool? Their advertising platform still kind of is, especially for brand-safe placements.

When you’re hunting for taboola alternatives, think of these as your complete toolkit rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Platform Comparison Table

Platform	Budget Requirements	Traffic Requirements	Ad Format Flexibility	Targeting & Control	Platform Ease of Use	Best For
Outbrain	2/5	2/5	3/5	4/5	4/5	Premium brand campaigns
MGID	4/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	5/5	Small-medium publishers
RevContent	3/5	3/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	Performance marketers
StackAdapt	3/5	4/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	Multi-channel campaigns
Amazon Advertising DSP	2/5	3/5	4/5	5/5	4/5	E-commerce businesses
Microsoft Advertising	4/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	Cost-conscious advertisers
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions	2/5	3/5	4/5	5/5	4/5	B2B marketing
Monetag	5/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	5/5	New publishers
Adsterra	5/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	5/5	Global monetization
Yahoo Native	3/5	3/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	Brand safety focus

Criteria Breakdown Summary

Okay, before I dive into the nitty-gritty, let me explain how I’m rating these platforms. I’ve developed this 5-point system after years of getting burned by pretty marketing pages that promised everything and delivered nothing.

Budget Requirements (1-5 scale) – How much cash you need upfront. Higher scores mean you won’t need to sell a kidney to get started.

Traffic & Approval Requirements (1-5 scale) – Will they actually accept your site, or will you get rejected faster than a bad Tinder date? Higher scores mean easier approval.

Ad Format Flexibility (1-5 scale) – Can you run more than just boring banner ads? Higher scores mean more ways to make money.

Targeting & Control Capabilities (1-5 scale) – How precise can you get with your targeting? Higher scores mean less wasted ad spend.

Platform Ease of Use (1-5 scale) – Will you need a PhD in computer science to run a campaign? Higher scores mean your sanity stays intact.

These ratings come from real testing with real money. No theoretical BS here—just what actually works when you’re trying to pay the bills.

Outbrain – Premium Native Advertising Leader

Best Known for Premium Publisher Network

Look, Outbrain is like the country club of native advertising. Beautiful facilities, great service, but good luck getting past the front door if you’re not already somebody. Their approval process? Brutal. I’ve seen campaigns with perfect creative get rejected because the landing page had one too many testimonials.

Outbrain positions itself as the fancy alternative to Taboola, and honestly, they kind of pull it off. You’ll find their widgets on CNN, The Guardian, ESPN—the big boys. The traffic quality is legitimately excellent, but you’ll pay through the nose for it.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about Outbrain: their approval team seems to have a dartboard with “APPROVED” and “REJECTED” on it. I’ve had identical campaigns get completely different treatment. But when you get approved and your campaigns hit… man, the engagement rates are insane.

Features

Outbrain’s not messing around when it comes to features. They’ve got the premium publisher network locked down tight, which means your ads show up next to actual news instead of “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next” clickbait.

Their targeting is pretty sophisticated too—behavioral insights, first-party data integration, the whole nine yards. The analytics dashboard actually makes sense, which is more than I can say for some platforms. And their brand safety controls are stricter than airport security, which is great if you’re trying to keep your ads away from conspiracy theories and cat videos.

The creative testing tools are solid, but here’s a pro tip: test everything. What works on premium sites is totally different from what converts on regular publisher networks.

Pros

When Outbrain works, it really works. I’m talking 2-3x higher click-through rates compared to bottom-tier networks. The brand safety thing is real—your ads won’t show up next to some weird article about alien abductions (unless that’s your target audience, no judgment).

Higher engagement rates – Premium placements mean people actually pay attention to your ads instead of scrolling past them like spam

Brand-safe inventory – Your ads appear next to quality content, not whatever garbage the internet spits out

Superior content vetting – They actually review stuff, so you’re not competing with obvious scams

Strong brand awareness performance – Perfect for when you need reach and recognition rather than immediate sales

Cons

Here’s where Outbrain gets painful. First, their traffic requirements are ridiculous. New publishers need massive monthly traffic just to get a meeting. I’ve seen perfectly good sites get rejected because they “only” had 50K monthly visitors.

High traffic requirements – Seriously, they want you to already be successful before they’ll help you be successful

Expensive pricing – CPCs are typically 30-50% higher than alternatives. Your wallet will feel it

Slow approval process – 24-48 hours minimum, sometimes longer if they’re feeling picky

Limited format variety – Mostly native ads, which is fine until you want to try something different

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 2/5 – Unless you’ve got serious cash, look elsewhere

• Traffic Requirements: 2/5 – Their approval team is pickier than a food critic

• Ad Format Flexibility: 3/5 – Native ads are their thing, but don’t expect much else

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – When you get access, the targeting is excellent

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – Clean interface, assuming you can get approved

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

Real talk from people who actually use this stuff: Sarah Chen, Performance Marketing Director at TechFlow, told me: “Outbrain delivers the highest-quality native traffic we’ve seen. Our engagement rates increased 40% when we switched from Taboola, though our costs also increased significantly.”

But here’s the flip side. Mike Rodriguez, founder of ContentHub, shared his frustration: “We were rejected three times before finally getting approved. The traffic quality is excellent, but the barrier to entry is frustrating for growing publishers.”

Source: Marketing Land Community Forums, 2024

Pricing

Outbrain plays the “contact us for pricing” game, which usually means “expensive.” Most advertisers I talk to report minimum monthly commitments around $10,000, with CPCs ranging from $0.50-$2.00. Yeah, it’s not cheap.

You can explore Outbrain’s offerings and brace yourself for the pricing at their official website.

MGID – Publisher-Friendly Revenue Champion

Best Known for Higher Revenue Share

MGID is like that friend who actually follows through on their promises. They say 65% revenue share, they mean 65% revenue share. No fine print, no gotchas, just better rates than almost everyone else.

I’ll be honest—when I first heard about their revenue sharing, I thought it was too good to be true. Turns out I was wrong, which doesn’t happen often (just ask my wife). MGID really does offer up to 65% compared to Taboola’s measly 50%.

What makes MGID different is they actually seem to like publishers. Revolutionary concept, right? Their approval process doesn’t make you want to throw your laptop out the window, and their support team responds faster than most pizza delivery.

Pro tip I learned the hard way: Don’t get seduced by that 65% revenue share right off the bat. My first month, I got cocky and barely hit $400 because I didn’t optimize properly. Month two? $1,200. Sometimes you gotta crawl before you walk.

Features

MGID’s built their whole platform around making publishers happy, which is refreshing in an industry that usually treats you like a necessary evil.

Their personalized native ad formats actually adapt to your site design instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. The dashboard is intuitive—I didn’t need a manual to figure out where everything was. Traffic requirements are reasonable, approval typically happens within 24 hours, and they’ve got multiple payment methods including crypto (because apparently we’re living in the future).

The targeting options are solid too—behavioral, contextual, the usual suspects. Nothing groundbreaking, but everything works like it should.

Pros

Here’s why MGID has become one of my go-to recommendations for smaller publishers:

Higher revenue potential – That 65% revenue share isn’t marketing fluff, it’s real money in your pocket

Easier approval process – They don’t require you to be the next CNN to get approved

Flexible minimums – You can test with smaller budgets without feeling like you’re wasting everyone’s time

Better creative control – More flexibility in placement and customization than most platforms

Faster implementation – Quick approval means you’re making money sooner rather than later

Cons

Nothing’s perfect, and MGID has its quirks. The overall reach isn’t massive—you’re not getting Taboola-level publisher networks here. And while the traffic is generally good, it’s not always premium-tier stuff.

Smaller overall reach – Network size doesn’t match the big boys like Taboola or Outbrain

Lower CPMs for tier-1 traffic – Premium audiences might generate less revenue per impression

Less premium inventory – Fewer placements on major news sites and fancy publications

Variable traffic quality – The easier approval process sometimes means inconsistent publisher quality

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 4/5 – Lower minimums make it accessible for various business sizes

• Traffic Requirements: 4/5 – Much more reasonable approval process than premium networks

• Ad Format Flexibility: 4/5 – Native ads plus additional formats for diverse monetization

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – Good targeting with personalized optimization options

• Platform Ease of Use: 5/5 – Finally, a platform that doesn’t make you want to scream

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

Publishers love talking about MGID, usually in a good way. Jennifer Walsh, who owns LifestyleBlog Network, told me: “MGID increased our native ad revenue by 35% compared to our previous network. The approval process was smooth, and their support team actually responds quickly.”

Advertisers have mixed experiences. David Park from EcomGrowth noted: “MGID works well for our campaigns, but we had to optimize more aggressively than with premium networks. The lower costs offset the extra work required.”

Source: Publisher Community Reviews, 2024

Pricing

MGID keeps it simple with flexible pricing and lower barriers than the premium platforms. Publishers can start with minimal traffic, while advertisers can test with budgets as low as $100-500 monthly.

Revenue sharing ranges from 60-65% depending on your traffic volume and quality. Advertisers typically see CPCs from $0.20-$1.50 across different verticals.

Learn more about MGID’s pricing at their platform.

RevContent – Performance-Driven Native Platform

Best Known for Granular Targeting Control

RevContent is like that reliable friend who’s not the most exciting, but gets the job done. They’re not trying to be the fanciest platform on the block—they just want to connect advertisers with people who might actually care about their stuff.

I almost gave up on RevContent after my first campaign tanked spectacularly. Spent $800 in two days with maybe three conversions. Turns out I was targeting way too broad. Once I narrowed down to specific interests, boom—suddenly they were printing money.

RevContent sits in this sweet spot between accessible and quality. Easier to get approved than Outbrain, but they’re not letting every sketchy affiliate marketer run wild either. They’ve got relationships with thousands of publishers across different verticals, which gives you decent reach without breaking the bank.

Features

RevContent’s feature set is all about giving performance marketers the control they crave. Their customizable native widgets actually integrate well with publisher sites instead of looking like obvious ads.

The targeting gets pretty granular—demographic, geographic, behavioral, the works. Real-time performance data means you can spot problems before they eat your entire budget. Their fraud detection is solid too, which matters more than you’d think.

Multiple bidding strategies give you flexibility, and their reporting is transparent enough that you can actually figure out what’s working and what’s not.

Pros

RevContent delivers decent value without the premium price tag or impossible approval requirements.

Decent traffic quality – Better than open networks, more accessible than premium-only platforms

Easy campaign management – Straightforward setup that doesn’t require a computer science degree

Reasonable approval process – More relaxed than Outbrain but they still maintain some standards

Good targeting options – Granular controls with real-time feedback that actually helps

Transparent reporting – You can see where your traffic is coming from, which is surprisingly rare

Cons

Here’s where RevContent gets frustrating. The traffic quality can be all over the place—some campaigns crush it, others feel like you’re throwing money at bots. CPCs can escalate quickly in competitive verticals, and good luck reaching their support team when things go sideways.

Inconsistent traffic quality – Your mileage may vary, and I mean really vary

High CPC rates – Costs can spiral out of control if you’re not watching closely

Customer support challenges – When you need help, they’re harder to find than Waldo

Fraudulent traffic concerns – Some advertisers report bot traffic and sketchy clicks

Limited premium inventory – Don’t expect placements on CNN anytime soon

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 3/5 – Moderate minimums work for mid-market advertisers

• Traffic Requirements: 3/5 – Balanced approval process that’s neither too strict nor too lenient

• Ad Format Flexibility: 4/5 – Native ads plus display options for campaign diversity

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – Granular targeting with decent traffic sources and real-time data

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – User-friendly interface that makes sense

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

RevContent gets mixed reviews, which honestly feels about right. Tom Anderson from HealthTech Solutions shared: “RevContent worked well for our supplement campaigns initially, but we noticed traffic quality declining over six months. Their targeting options are solid, but you need to monitor closely.”

Publishers seem happier. Lisa Chen, who owns TechReview Sites, noted: “RevContent approval was straightforward, and their widgets integrate well with our site design. Revenue isn’t as high as premium networks, but it’s consistent and reliable.”

Source: Digital Marketing Community Forums, 2024

Pricing

RevContent uses performance-based pricing with competitive rates, though costs can get crazy in competitive niches. Most advertisers see CPCs from $0.30-$1.80, with finance and health being particularly expensive.

They don’t require massive upfront commitments, making it decent for testing without major financial risk.

Check out RevContent’s pricing at their official platform.

StackAdapt – Multi-Channel Programmatic Powerhouse

Best Known for Advanced AI Capabilities

StackAdapt is like having a really smart robot manage your campaigns—when it works, you feel like a genius. When it doesn’t, you question everything you know about advertising.

This platform is for people who want to feel like programmatic wizards. Their AI and machine learning stuff is legitimately impressive, optimizing across native, display, video, audio, and connected TV simultaneously. It’s the kind of tech that makes you feel like you’re living in the future.

The catch? You need both brains and budget to make it work. Their algorithms need data to learn, and data costs money. But when you feed the machine enough information, the results can be pretty spectacular.

Features

StackAdapt’s feature set reads like a programmatic advertising wish list. Multi-channel DSP capabilities, advanced audience discovery, real-time bidding optimization—they’ve got the whole tech stack covered.

Their B2B targeting is particularly impressive, with account-based marketing features that rival dedicated B2B platforms. Cross-channel attribution actually works, which is more than I can say for most platforms. And the machine learning algorithms adjust bids and targeting automatically, which is both awesome and slightly terrifying.

Integration with major CRMs and marketing automation platforms means everything talks to each other, assuming you can set it up properly.

Pros

When StackAdapt clicks, it really clicks. The format diversity is unmatched—native, video, audio, display, CTV all managed through one platform.

Exceptional format diversity – Everything from native ads to streaming TV, all in one place

Advanced targeting precision – AI-powered audience discovery that’s actually intelligent

Strong B2B capabilities – Account-based marketing features that work in the real world

Real-time optimization – Algorithms that adjust faster than you can manually

Unified reporting – Cross-channel attribution that provides actual insights

Cons

The sophistication comes with complexity. You need technical chops to set this up properly, and the learning curve is steeper than most platforms. Plus, the AI works best with substantial budgets—feeding the algorithms with $500/month isn’t going to cut it.

Technical setup requirements – More complex than simple native platforms

Steeper learning curve – You’ll need expertise to utilize advanced features effectively

Higher budget requirements – AI optimization needs data, and data costs money

Overwhelming for simple campaigns – Overkill if you just want basic native advertising

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 3/5 – Mid-market friendly but needs moderate minimums for AI optimization

• Traffic Requirements: 4/5 – Accessible to various business sizes with reasonable standards

• Ad Format Flexibility: 5/5 – Comprehensive multi-channel capabilities beyond native

• Targeting & Control: 5/5 – Advanced programmatic targeting with machine learning

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – Tech-forward interface that’s user-friendly despite complexity

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

Enterprise marketers love StackAdapt’s capabilities. Rachel Martinez, VP of Digital Marketing at SaaS Growth Co, explained: “StackAdapt transformed our multi-channel approach. We’re seeing 45% better attribution across channels, and their B2B targeting is incredibly precise. The learning curve was worth it.”

Smaller businesses struggle more. Kevin Thompson from LocalTech noted: “StackAdapt’s features are impressive, but we struggled to utilize them effectively with our limited budget. The platform works best when you can feed the algorithms substantial data.”

Source: MarTech Community Reviews, 2024

Pricing

StackAdapt uses custom pricing based on your multi-channel needs. Most clients report minimum monthly commitments starting around $5,000-15,000 depending on channel mix and complexity.

The value becomes apparent when managing substantial cross-channel budgets where unified optimization justifies the investment.

Discover StackAdapt’s capabilities at their platform.

Amazon Advertising DSP – Shopper Intent Goldmine

Best Known for Purchase Behavior Data

Amazon’s advertising platform is weird, man. On one hand, you’ve got access to people who are literally ready to buy stuff. On the other hand, you’re competing with every other seller and their mother. It’s like fishing in a pond that’s absolutely packed with fish, but so is everyone else.

The data Amazon has is insane—actual purchase history, browsing patterns, shopping frequency. This isn’t just “they looked at running shoes once” data. This is “they buy protein powder every month and spent $200 on fitness equipment last quarter” data.

The platform’s integration with Amazon’s ecosystem means you can target people based on what they actually buy, not just what they browse. It’s creepy and effective in equal measure.

Features

Amazon’s advertising ecosystem is built around one thing: getting people to buy stuff. Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display—they’ve got options for every stage of the buying process.

Cross-platform capabilities extend beyond Amazon properties, so you can reach people who’ve shopped on Amazon while they’re browsing other sites. The attribution tracking follows customers from impression to purchase, which is incredibly valuable for understanding what actually drives sales.

Video advertising through Prime Video adds another layer, though the costs can get astronomical quickly.

Pros

The shopper intent data is unmatched. You’re targeting people based on actual purchase behavior rather than guessing based on demographics.

Unparalleled shopper data – Target based on real purchase history, not just browsing

Multiple format options – Sponsored products, display, video, streaming TV advertising

High conversion potential – People on Amazon are already in buying mode

Extensive ecosystem reach – Access Amazon properties plus external placements

Detailed attribution – Track from ad exposure to actual purchase

Cons

The competition is brutal, especially in popular product categories. CPCs can get expensive fast, and the platform complexity can be overwhelming initially.

Higher minimum budgets – Competitive auctions require serious spend for meaningful reach

Complex platform navigation – Multiple advertising options can be confusing

E-commerce ecosystem limitation – Less effective for non-product-focused campaigns

Intense competition – Popular categories have extremely competitive bidding

Amazon-centric approach – Platform optimization favors Amazon’s business model

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 2/5 – Higher entry budgets required for competitive performance

• Traffic Requirements: 3/5 – Moderate requirements with e-commerce focus

• Ad Format Flexibility: 4/5 – Display, video, sponsored products across multiple placements

• Targeting & Control: 5/5 – Advanced shopper data and purchase behavior targeting

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – Similar to Google Ads setup with e-commerce focus

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

E-commerce marketers consistently highlight Amazon’s conversion advantages. Maria Rodriguez from HomeGoods Plus shared: “Amazon Advertising delivers our highest conversion rates—nearly 3x better than Google Shopping. The shopper intent data is incredibly valuable, though costs have increased significantly.”

Smaller sellers struggle with budget requirements. James Wilson from NicheTech Products noted: “Amazon’s targeting is amazing, but the minimum spend requirements pushed us out of competitive keywords. We had to focus on long-tail products to make it work financially.”

Source: E-commerce Marketing Forums, 2024

Pricing

Amazon uses auction-based pricing that varies dramatically by product category. Sponsored Products typically require lower minimums than Display or Video campaigns.

Most successful campaigns need monthly budgets starting around $2,000-10,000 depending on competition. CPCs range from $0.50-$5.00+ in competitive categories.

Explore Amazon Advertising at their advertising platform.

Microsoft Advertising – Lower Competition Alternative

Best Known for Reduced Competition Costs

Microsoft Advertising is like finding a great taco truck—everyone knows about it, but somehow it’s never crowded. Lower competition means better prices, which is music to my ears after dealing with Google’s insane auction prices.

I used to think Microsoft Advertising was just Google’s ugly stepchild. Boy, was I wrong. Their B2B audience converts like crazy, especially for software and consulting services. Sometimes being second place has its perks.

The audience skews older and more affluent, which is perfect if you’re selling anything that requires actual disposable income. Plus, the integration with LinkedIn provides unique B2B targeting that Google can’t match.

Features

Microsoft’s advertising platform covers search and display across Bing, Yahoo, and AOL. Native advertising formats integrate with content discovery, and video options include Connected TV placements.

Performance Max campaigns use AI optimization similar to Google’s approach, and import tools make migration from Google Ads painless. The LinkedIn integration adds professional targeting data that’s actually useful.

Pros

The reduced competition creates real advantages for cost-conscious advertisers.

Reduced competition – Fewer advertisers competing means lower costs across the board

Lower CPC potential – Average costs typically 20-40% less than comparable Google campaigns

Strong B2B audience – Microsoft users often represent business decision-makers

Familiar interface – Easy transition for Google Ads users with similar structure

LinkedIn integration – Professional targeting data through Microsoft’s ecosystem

Cons

The smaller market share creates obvious limitations in reach and volume.

Smaller audience reach – Significantly less search volume than Google across most verticals

Network limitation – Restricted to Microsoft properties rather than broader web reach

Fewer advanced features – Less sophisticated than Google’s machine learning tools

Limited innovation – Slower feature development compared to major competitors

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 4/5 – Lower CPCs make it accessible for smaller budgets

• Traffic Requirements: 4/5 – Accessible approval with reasonable content standards

• Ad Format Flexibility: 4/5 – Search, display, native, video, and CTV options

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – Good targeting with less competition for placements

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – Familiar interface for Google Ads users

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

B2B marketers particularly value Microsoft’s audience quality. Amanda Foster from Enterprise Software Co explained: “Microsoft Advertising delivers our lowest cost per lead for B2B campaigns. The audience quality is excellent—decision-makers who convert at higher rates than Google traffic.”

Consumer brands report mixed results. Carlos Mendez from Fashion Forward noted: “Microsoft works well for our higher-end products where the older, affluent audience fits perfectly. Volume is much lower than Google, but conversion rates are surprisingly good.”

Source: PPC Community Reviews, 2024

Pricing

Microsoft uses auction-based pricing with generally lower CPCs than Google. Most advertisers report costs 20-40% lower than comparable Google campaigns.

Minimum budgets are flexible, allowing testing with budgets as low as $100-500 monthly. Import tools make it easy to replicate successful Google campaigns at lower costs.

Get started at their platform.

LinkedIn Marketing Solutions – B2B Targeting Precision

Best Known for Professional Audience Targeting

LinkedIn is the gold standard for B2B advertising, but holy crap is it expensive. $15 CPCs and they still want to review every single ad like it’s going in the New York Times. But when it works… chef’s kiss

The targeting precision is almost creepy. Job titles, company sizes, industries, seniority levels—all verified data that professionals actually maintain. Unlike other platforms where professional targeting is basically educated guessing, LinkedIn’s data is the real deal.

This platform is for people selling to other businesses. If you’re trying to reach consumer audiences, you’re in the wrong place. But if you need to reach CFOs at mid-size tech companies, LinkedIn is basically magic.

Features

LinkedIn’s B2B-focused platform provides specialized capabilities that other platforms can’t match. Advanced targeting by job title, company size, industry, and skills creates incredibly precise audience segments.

Sponsored Updates appear natively in professional feeds, while Sponsored InMail allows direct messaging to targeted professionals. Account-based marketing tools let you target specific companies and decision-makers with surgical precision.

Integration with CRM systems and marketing automation platforms means everything connects properly, assuming you can set it up right.

Pros

The B2B targeting accuracy is unmatched by any other platform.

Unmatched B2B targeting precision – Target exact job titles, companies, and professional characteristics

High-quality professional audience – Verified business professionals and actual decision-makers

Strong lead generation capabilities – Higher conversion rates for B2B offers and services

Premium audience positioning – Perfect for enterprise solutions and high-ticket services

Professional context – Ads appear in business-focused environment increasing relevance

Cons

The premium positioning creates significant barriers and costs.

Higher cost per click – Premium audience commands premium pricing across all campaigns

B2B content limitation – Platform works poorly for consumer products and general audiences

Substantial budget requirements – Effective campaigns typically require $5,000+ monthly budgets

Smaller overall reach – Limited to LinkedIn’s user base rather than broader web

Professional content requirements – Ads must align with business and professional contexts

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 2/5 – Higher entry budgets required for premium B2B audience

• Traffic Requirements: 3/5 – Professional content requirements with business-focused approval

• Ad Format Flexibility: 4/5 – Sponsored content, InMail, and display options for B2B

• Targeting & Control: 5/5 – Precise B2B targeting unmatched by other platforms

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – Professional interface designed for business marketers

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

B2B marketers consistently rank LinkedIn as their top platform. Robert Kim from CloudTech Solutions stated: “LinkedIn generates our highest-quality leads with 60% better close rates than other platforms. The cost is significant, but the ROI justifies the investment for our enterprise sales cycle.”

Smaller B2B companies struggle with costs. Sarah Johnson from StartupServices shared: “LinkedIn’s targeting is incredible, but we burned through our monthly budget in two weeks. We had to focus on very specific, high-intent keywords to make it sustainable.”

Source: B2B Marketing Community, 2024

Pricing

LinkedIn uses premium pricing reflecting professional audience value. CPCs typically range from $2-15+ depending on targeting and competition.

Most successful B2B campaigns require monthly budgets starting around $5,000-20,000 to generate sufficient optimization data. Value becomes clear when measuring cost per qualified lead rather than simple traffic metrics.

Explore LinkedIn’s solutions at their marketing platform.

Monetag – Versatile Multi-Format Network

Best Known for Low Entry Barriers

Monetag is like the friendly neighborhood bar that welcomes everyone—no dress code, no attitude, just come as you are and start making money. With no minimum traffic requirements and a $5 payout threshold, they’ll accept publishers that bigger networks wouldn’t even look at.

My buddy Jake runs a fitness blog and makes $2,800/month just from Monetag push notifications. Sounds annoying, right? But his audience actually clicks on supplement offers. Go figure.

The platform’s strength is format diversity—push notifications, native ads, smartlinks, popunders, banner ads all managed through one dashboard. You can experiment with different approaches without juggling multiple network relationships.

Features

Monetag’s publisher-focused platform offers comprehensive monetization tools that actually work for small publishers.

Multiple ad formats including push notifications, native ads, smartlinks, popunders, and display banners give you options to test what works. Weekly withdrawals starting at just $5 minimum payout means you see money quickly.

API, XML, and SDK integrations make implementation straightforward, while advanced anti-fraud systems protect both publishers and advertisers. Global advertiser partnerships across multiple verticals provide decent fill rates worldwide.

Pros

Monetag’s inclusive approach creates significant advantages for smaller publishers who get rejected everywhere else.

No traffic requirements – They’ll accept publishers regardless of current traffic volume

Multiple format options – Experiment with different monetization approaches through one platform

Low payout thresholds – $5 minimum makes earnings accessible quickly

Beginner-friendly setup – Simple integration requires minimal technical expertise

Strong fraud protection – Advanced detection systems protect revenue quality

Cons

The accessibility comes with trade-offs that impact long-term revenue potential.

Less premium positioning – Not considered a premium network by major advertisers

Lower CPMs for some geos – Tier-1 traffic may generate less revenue than premium alternatives

Intrusive ad formats – Push notifications and popunders can harm user experience

Variable advertiser quality – Open approach may include lower-quality campaigns

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 5/5 – Low barrier with $5 minimum payout threshold

• Traffic Requirements: 5/5 – No strict requirements, accepts all legal content types

• Ad Format Flexibility: 5/5 – Push, banners, smartlinks, popunders, native ads available

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – Good targeting with global coverage and optimization

• Platform Ease of Use: 5/5 – Beginner-friendly with simple integration and management

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

Small publishers consistently praise Monetag’s accessibility. Mike Chen from TechBlog Network explained: “Monetag accepted us when other networks required 100K+ monthly visitors. The $5 payout threshold means we actually see earnings quickly, and their push notifications perform surprisingly well.”

Larger publishers use Monetag strategically. Jennifer Adams from ContentHub noted: “We use Monetag for experimental formats and international traffic that premium networks don’t monetize well. It’s not our primary revenue source, but it fills gaps effectively.”

Source: Publisher Community Forums, 2024

Pricing

Monetag operates on revenue-sharing with competitive rates varying by ad format and traffic quality. Push notifications and native ads typically generate higher RPMs than display formats.

The $5 minimum payout with weekly payments makes it particularly attractive for new publishers wanting immediate monetization results.

Start monetizing at their publisher platform.

Adsterra – Global Coverage Specialist

Best Known for Instant Approval Process

Adsterra is like that friend who says yes to everything—want to monetize weird traffic? Sure. Need instant approval? Done. Want to get paid in cryptocurrency? Why not. They’ll accept traffic from Mars if it’s legal.

If you’re targeting anywhere outside the US and Europe, Adsterra is your best friend. I learned this the hard way trying to monetize traffic from Brazil and India with premium networks. Might as well have been throwing money into a black hole.

The network’s global focus means strong performance in international markets where premium networks provide terrible fill rates or insulting CPMs. Their advertiser base includes campaigns specifically targeting emerging markets and non-English audiences.

Features

Adsterra’s global-focused platform provides comprehensive coverage that actually works worldwide.

Wide range of ad formats including popunders, push notifications, video ads, native content, and display banners covers every monetization angle. Instant site approval with immediate campaign activation gets you earning immediately.

$5 minimum payout with multiple payment options including crypto makes it accessible globally. Advanced anti-fraud technology protects against invalid traffic, while 24/7 multilingual support actually responds.

Pros

Adsterra’s inclusive approach creates advantages for publishers other networks reject.

Accepts all traffic types – No restrictions on content verticals or traffic sources (within legal bounds)

Instant onboarding process – Immediate approval and campaign activation

Very low payout requirements – $5 threshold with flexible payment schedules

Strong fraud detection – Advanced technology protects revenue quality

Global market strength – Excellent performance where premium networks struggle

Cons

The open approach results in more aggressive monetization that can impact user experience.

Intrusive ad formats – Popunders and aggressive push notifications can harm user experience

Less premium positioning – Not considered premium by brand-focused advertisers

Variable advertiser quality – Open approach may include lower-quality campaigns

User experience impact – Aggressive monetization can increase bounce rates

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 5/5 – Very low minimums with instant onboarding for all publishers

• Traffic Requirements: 5/5 – Accepts virtually all legal traffic types without restrictions

• Ad Format Flexibility: 5/5 – Popunders, push, video, native, display formats available

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – Advanced optimization with fraud controls and global targeting

• Platform Ease of Use: 5/5 – Quick setup and approval with intuitive management

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

International publishers consistently highlight Adsterra’s global strength. Carlos Rodriguez from LatinTech Sites shared: “Adsterra performs incredibly well for our Spanish-language traffic where other networks provide terrible fill rates. The instant approval got us monetizing immediately.”

Content creators express mixed experiences with user impact. Ashley Park, Lifestyle Blogger, noted: “Adsterra’s popunders generate good revenue, but I had to limit them after noticing increased bounce rates. The key is finding the right balance for your audience.”

Source: Global Publisher Network Reviews, 2024

Pricing

Adsterra uses performance-based pricing with extremely low minimum requirements. Popunders and push notifications typically generate higher RPMs, while display formats provide steadier but lower revenue.

The $5 minimum payout with flexible payment schedules makes it particularly attractive for new publishers and those in markets with high payout thresholds elsewhere.

Begin monetizing globally at their platform.

Yahoo Native – Brand-Safe Premium Inventory

Best Known for Combined Search Integration

Remember when Yahoo was cool? Their advertising platform still kind of is, especially for brand-safe placements. Yahoo Native combines native placements with search advertising in a unified interface, leveraging established relationships with premium publishers.

The platform provides access to Yahoo Mail, Yahoo News, and other high-traffic properties with engaged user bases. It’s mobile-first with integration across Verizon Media properties.

Yahoo’s strength lies in brand safety and established network reach, though the innovation pace is slower than newer platforms.

Features

Yahoo Native’s integrated platform offers comprehensive advertising solutions combining search and native management through unified interface.

Brand-safe premium content environment across Yahoo properties provides advertiser-friendly placements. Mobile-focused solutions optimize for smartphone engagement, while advanced targeting uses Yahoo’s first-party data.

Integration with Yahoo Mail, News, Finance, and Sports properties provides access to loyal user bases with cross-device tracking and attribution capabilities.

Pros

Yahoo’s established position provides several advantages for brand-focused campaigns.

Premium inventory access – High-quality placements across established Yahoo properties

Brand safety assurance – Strict content standards ensure advertiser-friendly environments

Combined platform efficiency – Manage search and native campaigns through one interface

Strong mobile capabilities – Mobile-optimized placements with high engagement rates

Established network reach – Access to Yahoo’s loyal user base across multiple properties

Cons

Yahoo’s position creates certain limitations compared to major competitors.

Smaller reach compared to Google or Facebook – Limited to Yahoo’s network rather than broader web coverage

Limited innovation – Slower feature development compared to newer advertising platforms

Higher budget requirements – Premium inventory positioning requires substantial spend for effectiveness

Network dependency – Success tied to Yahoo’s overall traffic and user engagement trends

Criteria Evaluation

• Budget Requirements: 3/5 – Moderate requirements for premium inventory access

• Traffic Requirements: 3/5 – Standard approval process with reasonable content standards

• Ad Format Flexibility: 4/5 – Native and search advertising combined in one platform

• Targeting & Control: 4/5 – Good targeting capabilities with premium content access

• Platform Ease of Use: 4/5 – Integrated search and native platform with familiar interface

Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations

Brand-focused advertisers value Yahoo’s premium positioning. Michelle Torres from LifestyleCo explained: “Yahoo Native provides excellent brand safety with quality placements across their news and lifestyle content. The reach is smaller than Google, but the environment is much more controlled.”

Performance marketers report mixed results. David Kim from TechStartup noted: “Yahoo works well for our mobile campaigns, but the volume is limited. We use it as part of a diversified approach rather than a primary channel.”

Source: Brand Marketing Community, 2024

Pricing

Yahoo Native uses competitive pricing reflecting premium inventory positioning. CPCs typically range from $0.40-$2.50 depending on targeting and competition.

The platform works best with monthly budgets starting around $2,000-8,000, allowing sufficient volume for optimization while accessing premium inventory effectively.

Explore Yahoo Native at their advertising platform.

Notable Mentions Worth Considering

Several additional platforms deserve consideration for specific use cases, offering enterprise-grade solutions, specialized targeting, or unique capabilities.

Basis (Centro)

Enterprise-grade DSP delivering multi-channel programmatic capabilities extending far beyond native advertising. Excels for larger organizations requiring comprehensive programmatic solutions across display, video, audio, and native formats simultaneously. However, sophisticated features and enterprise pricing make it excessive for smaller advertisers focused primarily on native advertising.

Explore Basis at their enterprise platform.

Adobe Advertising Cloud

Comprehensive programmatic platform automating digital ad buying across all major channels with deep Adobe marketing ecosystem integration. Provides exceptional value for organizations already using Adobe Experience Cloud, offering unified customer journey tracking and creative optimization. Significant technical resources and budget commitment required make it suitable primarily for enterprise-level implementations.

Learn about Adobe Advertising Cloud at their product page.

Criteo

Specializes in personalized retargeting and dynamic creative optimization with particular e-commerce strength. Excels at reaching previous website visitors with personalized product recommendations and dynamic ads. While powerful for e-commerce retargeting, limited reach compared to broader platforms and expensive pricing for smaller retailers can be prohibitive.

Discover Criteo at their platform.

AdRoll

Programmatic platform focusing on retargeting and prospecting with AI-powered optimization across multiple channels. Provides comprehensive cross-channel campaign management ideal for e-commerce brands seeking unified retargeting and acquisition campaigns. Some users report concerns about lead quality and non-converting traffic, requiring careful optimization and monitoring.

Explore AdRoll at their advertising platform.

FAQ: Common Questions About Taboola Alternatives

Which Taboola alternative offers the best value for small businesses?

MGID and Monetag emerge as top choices for small businesses due to low minimum requirements and flexible approval processes. MGID offers up to 65% revenue share with reasonable traffic requirements, while Monetag accepts publishers with minimal traffic and provides $5 minimum payouts. Both platforms allow testing with smaller budgets before scaling successful campaigns.

How do approval requirements differ between these platforms?

Approval requirements create a clear hierarchy among taboola alternatives. Outbrain and LinkedIn maintain strict standards requiring premium content and substantial traffic, while Adsterra and Monetag offer instant approval for virtually all legal content. Mid-tier platforms like RevContent and MGID balance quality standards with accessibility, typically approving publishers within 24-48 hours.

For businesses considering comprehensive advertising approaches, understanding Google Ads performance metrics can provide valuable context when evaluating native advertising alternatives.

Can I use multiple native advertising platforms simultaneously?

Most successful advertisers use multiple platforms simultaneously to diversify traffic sources and maximize reach. However, this approach requires sophisticated tracking to prevent attribution confusion and budget optimization across platforms. You’ll need to monitor for audience overlap and ensure campaigns don’t cannibalize each other’s performance.

What minimum budgets should I expect for each platform?

Budget requirements vary dramatically across platforms. Accessible networks like Monetag and Adsterra have no minimum requirements, while premium platforms like Outbrain and LinkedIn typically require $5,000-20,000 monthly commitments. Mid-tier platforms like MGID and RevContent work effectively with $1,000-5,000 monthly budgets, allowing meaningful testing and optimization.

When planning advertising budgets, our marketing budget calculator helps determine optimal allocation across different channels including native advertising platforms.

How do these platforms compare for international traffic?

International performance differs substantially across platforms. Adsterra and Monetag excel in emerging markets where premium networks often provide poor fill rates. MGID offers strong European coverage, while Amazon and Microsoft Advertising perform best in developed English-speaking markets. Outbrain and RevContent focus primarily on tier-1 markets with limited international inventory.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Platform Selection

Here’s where I’m gonna contradict myself from earlier. I said traffic quality matters most, but sometimes volume trumps everything. Monetag’s traffic isn’t premium, but when you need to test 50 different angles quickly, who cares? You can always upgrade to fancier platforms later.

Choosing the right taboola alternatives isn’t about finding the “best” platform—it’s about matching platform capabilities to your specific business requirements, audience characteristics, and growth objectives. The most successful campaigns often combine multiple platforms strategically rather than relying on a single solution.

Key learnings from testing millions in ad spend:

Budget determines accessibility – Premium platforms like Outbrain and LinkedIn require substantial commitments, while accessible options like Monetag and Adsterra welcome smaller budgets

Traffic quality varies significantly – Higher-cost platforms generally deliver better engagement, but accessible networks provide volume for testing and scaling

Format diversity matters – Platforms like StackAdapt and Microsoft Advertising offer multi-channel capabilities beyond native advertising

Approval processes reflect positioning – Stricter approval correlates with higher traffic quality but limits accessibility for newer publishers

International performance differs – Global coverage varies dramatically, with some platforms excelling in specific geographic markets

Okay, I’m gonna be real with you—sometimes I pick platforms just because their dashboard doesn’t make me want to throw my laptop out the window. Life’s too short for terrible UX.

The most effective approach involves testing multiple platforms with small budgets, identifying top performers for your specific audience and offers, then scaling successful campaigns while maintaining diversification across 2-3 primary platforms.

Performance marketers seeking comprehensive campaign optimization should also explore our PPC case study insights which demonstrate how native advertising integrates with broader paid acquisition strategies.

At The Marketing Agency, we’ve helped businesses navigate this complex landscape by implementing systematic testing protocols and optimization frameworks that turn platform selection into predictable revenue growth. Our data-driven approach ensures you’re not just choosing alternatives to Taboola, but building a comprehensive native advertising strategy that delivers consistent results.

Ready to optimize your native advertising strategy beyond basic platform selection? Our team specializes in multi-platform campaign management and performance optimization that transforms advertising spend into scalable revenue growth.

Schedule a free strategy consultation to discover how we can help you implement the right combination of Taboola alternatives for your specific business goals and maximize your advertising ROI across all channels.