Alternative to adsense

A simple, practical expansion to the replies already here: several posters named alternate contextual networks and @Dani noted that some networks can pay more per click while producing fewer clicks. The points below add options and a short test plan that are evergreen and useful for sites of any age.

Consider alternatives to pure CPC/contextual placements: direct ad sales (sell banner, sidebar, or sponsorship slots to niche advertisers); affiliate and CPA programs (promote relevant products or services for a commission); CPM/programmatic buyers or private ad deals (sell impressions at a fixed rate); native/sponsored content and dedicated sponsored posts; premium email/newsletter sponsorships; and paid memberships or microtransactions for exclusive content. Each approach trades ease-of-setup for control and often higher revenue — direct deals and affiliates typically win on RPM for niche audiences, while programmatic fills scale better for high-volume sites.

A short evaluation checklist: measure revenue per 1,000 sessions (RPM) rather than raw clicks; track eCPM, fill rate, viewability and conversion for affiliate links; run each new channel for a 30–90 day window under similar traffic conditions; use consistent placement and creatives when comparing; segment by traffic source and device. Keep an eye on ad quality and user experience metrics (bounce, time on site) — bad ads hurt long-term traffic and search rankings.

Practical cautions and quick wins: diversify — avoid relying on a single network; verify payment terms, minimum thresholds and content policies before committing; disclose affiliate/sponsored relationships; test larger-format/native placements before increasing ad density; for low-value keyword sites (as @clarinetalex noted) affiliates or sponsorships often outperform pure CPC; treat single-post endorsements (as from @emmacool) as starting points for testing, not gospel.