How to make money from your blog without AdSense
Auction ads are one way to earn from traffic, not the only one. These options often pay more per reader, and some work alongside AdSense.
Facts checked 29 Sep 2026 · by the AdSworn team
The main ways to earn from a blog without AdSense are direct sponsorships (a business pays you to feature it on a page), sponsored posts, affiliate links, your own products or services, and email sponsorships. Direct sponsorships suit pages that attract buyers: you set the price and approve the sponsor. For comparison, Google says AdSense publishers receive 80% of revenue after the advertiser platform's fee, about 68% when ads come from Google Ads.
The options, side by side
| Option | How you earn | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sponsorship | A flat fee from one business for a banner or feature on a page | Pages reached by buying searches |
| Sponsored post | A fee to publish a clearly labelled paragraph or article | Articles deep in a topic a business sells into |
| Affiliate links | Commission when a reader buys through your link | Reviews and "best of" lists |
| Your own products | Selling templates, courses or services | Audiences who trust your expertise |
| Email sponsorships | A fee to appear in your newsletter | Blogs with an engaged list |
Why direct sponsorships are worth a look
Auction ads pay the same kind of rate on your best page as on your worst. A direct sponsor pays for who reads a specific page. If people reach it by searching "best online video editor", a video tool will pay more to be there than an auction usually does.
| Page | Search that brings readers | Banner / 4 weeks | Featured / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 12 Best Online Video Editors of 2026 (Free and Paid)Flocksy | “video editor” · 6 clicks | $25 | $2,000 |
| The 8 Best Video Editing Apps for iPhone and Android (2026)Flocksy | “best video editing app for android 2026” · 1 click | $25 | – |
On AdSworn you set the price, approve every sponsor, and keep 85%. There's no exclusivity, so it can sit alongside AdSense.
| Page | Audience, 28 days | Banner / 4 weeks | Featured / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 12 Best Online Video Editors of 2026 (Free and Paid)Flocksy | 120 page views | $25 | $2,000 |
| The 8 Best Video Editing Apps for iPhone and Android (2026)Flocksy | 179 page views | $25 | – |
| BlogFlocksy | 256 page views | $25 | – |
The honest trade-offs
- Auction ads need no selling. Every visit earns something from day one.
- Sponsorships need a buyer. They pay more per reader but only when a page is booked.
- Affiliate income depends on sales, which you don't control.
- Most blogs mix several. Start with what fits your best pages.
Straight answers
What pays more than AdSense?
It depends on the page. Pages that attract buyers often earn more from a direct sponsor or affiliate links than from auction ads.
Can I use AdSense and sponsorships together?
Yes, as long as each ad is clearly labelled and your ad partners' terms allow it. AdSworn doesn't require exclusivity.
What does AdSense pay publishers?
Google says 80% of revenue after the advertiser platform's fee, about 68% when ads come from Google Ads, paid once earnings reach $100.