How to get started with the Ad Network

paid plans

Using the Ad Network as a publisher or brand

With the powerful beehiiv Ad Network, you can effortlessly accept, send, and get paid for placing relevant advertisements in your newsletters. This valuable monetization opportunity is available to all users on our paid plans.

To get started with the Ad Network, click on this link and select if you would like to see ad opportunities as a publisher or a brand. As a publisher, you would be featuring ads created by brands, whereas as a brand, you would be creating ads for publishers. After you get going in the Ad Network, you can choose to be both a brand and a publisher, but to get started you’ll need to select one. For this article, we will look at being a publisher.


Watch a quick video on the Ad Network 

The beehiiv platform has evolved since the filming of this video so parts of the user interface featured in the video will be slightly different than what you see in your account. In particular, we now offer CPM ads as well as CPC ads.

How to view ads as a publisher

  1. To view available ad opportunities, log in to your beehiiv account and from the left panel Dashboard, select Monetize > Ads.



  2. Your Ads dashboard will open, displaying the Available Opportunities on the Overview tab.

    Ad opportunities are provisioned automatically in our platform based on available campaigns, your previous ad performance, your publication audience, the brand’s target demographic, and a variety of other factors. You are not guaranteed to have ads available at all times or at all, as there may be no ad campaigns in our network that align with your publication.

     

  3. Click View details & respond on the available ad opportunity to see more information, accept it, and schedule it.



    For each ad opportunity you can:
  • See the dollar amount of the CPC or CPM for the ad.
    • CPM (cost per mille) is a payment method where you earn based on the number of unique opens per send for an advertiser. For example, with a $5 CPM, you’ll earn $5 for every 1,000 unique opens you deliver in a single send.
    • CPC (cost per click) is based on the number of unique clicks that the sponsored links in your send receive. For example, if the CPC for a campaign is $2 and you include an ad in your newsletter that receives 100 verified unique clicks, your payout would be 100 x $2, or $200.

      CPM Deals.png
  • View an estimated payout, use the slider to see how much you may earn for the opportunity.
  • Select any one day within the available ad campaign dates to schedule the ad send.
  • Choose 1 creative version from the available options.

    After reviewing the ad opportunity, follow the steps below to book the ad for placement.

How to book an ad for placement

Click on the steps in the interactive image to explore all options, or view the written instructions below.

 

  1. Select the date that you would like the opportunity to run from the dropdown calendar.



  2. View the creative versions. To see more details, hover over the creative version until it turns gray. Click on the Expand icon in the bottom right corner of the creative version to see on a larger screen. You can also click on the Link icon, to Test the Ad Link.



  3. Choose the creative version you want to use from the options. The selected version will be highlighted with a purple outline and a checkmark box.



  4. Click on the Review and accept button to proceed.

  5. You will be taken to a prompt to confirm your selection. Confirm that you will schedule the campaign on the selected date and understand that the payout estimates may change based on actual unique clicks and then click on the Accept button to proceed.



    Or, if you’d like to pass on this ad, click the Not the right fit for me button to fill out a survey explaining why this ad isn’t suitable for your publication. Providing this feedback helps us better match you with advertisers that align with your audience and preferences.




Not ready to schedule the ad yet? No problem

You can return to schedule the ad at any time by navigating back to your Ads dashboard. You will receive a Did you forget to reply? prompt, simply click the I’m not ready to decide button to book the ad at another time.



How to add an advertisement to a post 

  1. Open one of your posts and then go to the editor and start typing “/advertisement” to bring it up. Click on Advertisement.



  2. You’ll find the specific ads you’ve previously accepted as options; choose one from the list.



  3. Once an ad is selected, you’ll see it in your post.

     

Important things to remember after placing an ad in your post 

  • Editing Restrictions: Ads cannot be edited once placed. However, you can add custom content above or below the ad block and adjust the placement of the ad logo.

  • Double check the send date: Be sure to schedule your post for the selected ad date to ensure you receive payment for the campaign.

  • Tracking clicks and payouts: There is a 72-hour window for click tracking. Once this period ends, you’ll receive an email confirming your total payout. Please note that payouts are processed on the 20th of each month for ads from the previous month. For example, ads from July will be paid out on August 20th.



  • View your ad reports: Reports are generated 96 hours after placing the post. You can view the ad report, which includes click tracking and other details, in the Reports tab of your Ads dashboard.

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