How to make money blogging (and monetize a website)
Your traffic is already worth something. Here's every way to charge for it, and what each needs.
Facts checked 15 Oct 2026 · by the AdSworn team
Bloggers make money six main ways: display ad networks, affiliate links, sponsored posts sold directly, sponsored pages, digital products, and a newsletter with sponsors. Ad networks pay per view and some set traffic minimums; affiliate links pay a commission on sales; sponsorships pay a flat price you set, from day one, if your pages reach people a business wants. Most blogs that earn well mix two or three, starting with whatever their traffic already supports.
The six ways to make money from a blog
| Way | How you're paid | What it needs | Who sets the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display ad networks | Per 1,000 views | Approval, and sometimes a traffic minimum | The network's auction |
| Affiliate links | A commission on each sale | Readers ready to buy | The merchant |
| Sponsored posts | A flat price per post and term | Pages that reach a buyer a business wants | You |
| Sponsored pages | A flat price per page | A site that ranks for what the sponsor sells | You |
| Digital products | Each sale | Something worth paying for, and trust | You |
| Newsletter sponsors | Per send | A list of subscribers | You |
1. Display ad networks
An ad network fills spaces on your pages with ads and pays you a share. It's passive, but the price is set by an auction and it's paid per view, so a small blog earns little. What the main networks ask for, from their own pages:
- Google AdSense: you must be 18 or older and follow its programme policies; its eligibility page states no minimum traffic.
- Mediavine: at least $5,000 a year in ad revenue for the full programme. Its Journey programme needs 1,000 sessions from Tier 1 countries (US, Canada, UK, Australia) in 30 days.
- Raptive: at least 25,000 monthly pageviews, plus its quality guidelines.
Networks are a floor, not a ceiling. If you're under their thresholds, or want more per reader, see make money from your blog without AdSense.
2. Affiliate links
You link to products and earn a cut when readers buy. It suits reviews and "best X" posts. Rates vary by programme: Amazon Associates' own rate table runs from 0% to 10% by category, with 4% for "all other categories". In the US the FTC says affiliate links need a clear disclosure close to the recommendation, and that the words "affiliate link" alone may not be understood; it says "paid link" next to the link is adequate.
3 and 4. Sponsored posts and sponsored pages, sold directly
This is where small, focused blogs earn the most per reader. A business pays you a flat price to be recommended on a page whose readers already search for what it sells. You set the price and approve every sponsor. Two forms:
- Sponsored post. A labelled briefing about the sponsor inside an article you've already published and that already ranks. No new writing, no layout changes.
- Sponsored page. A whole new page about the sponsor on your site, labelled Sponsored. You approve it and post it.
Price from your real traffic, not a guess. On AdSworn the starter rate for a sponsored post is $20 per 1,000 page views over a year, and each page gets its own price from its traffic. For example (made-up numbers): a page with 2,000 page views every 4 weeks gets about 26,000 a year, so 26 × $20 = $520 a year. Try your own numbers below.
- Sponsored post $1,300 / year$1,196 a year
Starter rates from what sites charge for ads they sell directly: $10–20 per 1,000 views (Google). Sponsored post $20 per 1,000 page views over a year (orders from $150). Pages that rank for buying searches price their readers at 2×, 4× or 6× this rate, set by what Google Ads charges per click for those searches. You set your own; we take 8% only when you get paid.
More on pricing in how much to charge for ads on your website, and on finding buyers in how to sell sponsored posts.
5 and 6. Digital products and a newsletter
Templates, courses, presets and guides sell well when the blog already answers the questions buyers ask. The margin is high, but you build and support the product.
A newsletter turns one-off readers into an audience you can reach again, and sponsors pay per send. It takes time to grow the list. See newsletter vs website sponsorship for how the two compare for sponsors.
Sell sponsorships directly with AdSworn
- List your site freeConnect Google Search Console and Google Analytics, read-only. No listing, monthly or setup fees.
- Every page gets a price from its real trafficBuyers see your page views and the Google searches that bring your readers, read from Google. That's proof a screenshot can't give.
- Approve every sponsorNothing goes live without your OK. Buyers pay nothing until you approve.
- Keep 92%AdSworn takes 8% on sales, and the advertiser pays the listed price with nothing on top. Payment is held until the post is verified live.
| Format on “The 12 Best Online Video Editors of 2026 (Free and Paid)” | Advertiser pays | AdSworn (8%) | Publisher gets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsored post / year | $2,000 | $160 | $1,840 |
Straight answers
How do bloggers make money?
Mostly from display ads, affiliate links, sponsored posts and pages, digital products and newsletter sponsors. Most mix two or three.
How much traffic do you need to make money blogging?
It depends on the method. Google AdSense states no minimum, Mediavine's Journey programme needs 1,000 Tier 1 sessions in 30 days, and Raptive needs 25,000 monthly pageviews. Sponsorships need pages that reach buyers a business wants, not a fixed number.
How do I monetize a website without ads?
Sell sponsored posts and pages directly, use affiliate links, or sell your own digital products. All three work without display ads on the page.
How much should I charge for a sponsored post?
Price it from the page's real traffic. AdSworn's starter rate is $20 per 1,000 page views over a year, and you can set your own.
Do I have to disclose affiliate links and sponsored posts?
Yes, in the US. The FTC expects a clear disclosure near the recommendation, such as "paid link" beside an affiliate link and "Sponsored" above a sponsored post.