Audience - Freestar https://freestar.com Publisher First Thu, 27 Feb 2025 18:31:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://freestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cropped-Icon-32x32.png Audience - Freestar https://freestar.com 32 32 Introducing Sertify: A New Partnership to Empower Diverse Publishers https://freestar.com/introducing-sertify-a-new-partnership-to-empower-diverse-publishers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=introducing-sertify-a-new-partnership-to-empower-diverse-publishers Mon, 03 Feb 2025 23:47:54 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17523 At Freestar, we aim to help publishers succeed by providing innovative tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive in today’s competitive advertising landscape. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new partnership with Sertify, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to simplifying and standardizing accreditation for diverse-owned businesses. This collaboration will enable our publishers to earn official certification as diverse-owned entities within minutes and at no cost, paving the way for expanded revenue opportunities while supporting a more equitable advertising ecosystem.

Certification: A Catalyst for Growth

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly driving decisions in the advertising industry, with many brands and agencies committed to investing in diverse-owned media. Official certification through Sertify helps publishers stand out by providing advertisers with the confidence that their dollars are being spent with verified diverse media outlets. This validation removes potential barriers and creates opportunities for publishers to secure meaningful partnerships with advertisers prioritizing DEI-focused spending.

How Sertify Supports Publishers

Sertify’s streamlined process provides publishers with an efficient pathway to official accreditation. Here’s what the process includes:

  • Ownership Verification: A thorough review is conducted to confirm that publishers meet diverse business ownership criteria.
  • Enhanced Credibility: Certification builds trust with advertisers seeking to meet DEI objectives.
  • Access to Opportunities: Accredited publishers are well-positioned to secure high-value campaigns and increase their visibility in the marketplace.

Getting Started with Sertify

Freestar publishers can now begin the certification process through Sertify here. It takes only 5-10 minutes at no cost to them. For those who have already self-identified as diverse-owned, this next step ensures they maximize their competitive edge and remain attractive to advertisers with DEI goals. 

Looking Ahead

This collaboration with Sertify represents a shared commitment to fostering inclusivity and innovation in the advertising industry. By empowering publishers with the tools they need to succeed, we’re building a future where diverse voices are amplified and supported. Together, we’re unlocking new possibilities and driving meaningful progress for publishers and advertisers alike.

Contact us today to learn more or click here to get Sertify within minutes compliments of Freestar.

 


About Sertify

Sertify is dedicated to advancing equity in media by providing a straightforward and reliable accreditation process for diverse publishers and influencers. Their mission is to empower publishers, build trust with advertisers, and create a more inclusive digital ecosystem.

The post Introducing Sertify: A New Partnership to Empower Diverse Publishers first appeared on Freestar.

]]> 7 Reasons Why Publisher Quality is the #1 Factor to Successful Ad Monetization https://freestar.com/7-reasons-why-publisher-quality-is-the-1-factor-to-successful-ad-monetization/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-reasons-why-publisher-quality-is-the-1-factor-to-successful-ad-monetization Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:15:08 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17423 Over the past 3 years, Freestar has implemented extensive measures to ensure our publishers consistently meet today’s high-quality standards, benefiting both their audiences and our advertising partners. Publisher quality remains a critical factor for successful ad monetization, and we’re committed to upholding these standards.

Publisher quality is a core pillar of our audience strategy, deeply integrated across many aspects of our business. It influences everything from the publishers we target and how we monitor quality signals to how our audience team collaborates with publishers to grow audiences in the right areas. This commitment to quality forms the core of our Freestar DNA. High-quality publishers can deliver better user experiences, attract more engaged audiences, and deliver better ad performance, all of which leads to higher revenue. 

Here’s a breakdown of why quality matters:

1. Audience Trust

High-quality publishers typically have established trust with their audiences, leading to = users are more engaged and receptive to content, including ads. Users who trust the website tend to view more pages per session and stay longer – two key engagement metrics that are consistent with top performing ad revenue per page.

How to Increase User Trust:

  • To establish a strong and authoritative brand presence online, it’s crucial to ensure that comprehensive information about your company is readily available for users and search engines alike. Start by creating a detailed About Page and featuring it prominently in your top site navigation. This page should provide a clear, engaging description of your business and the value it offers, making it easier for platforms like Google to generate a knowledge graph around your brand. Don’t forget to include essential details such as contact information and an updated privacy policy to inspire trust and transparency.
  • Prioritize UX over monetization. Websites cluttered with excessive ads, pop-ups, and other disruptive elements not only frustrate visitors but also erode trust, making users less likely to engage with content or ads. A modern, streamlined website design, especially optimized for mobile users, is imperative. Navigation should be intuitive, with critical sections easily accessible from the main menu, and the addition of breadcrumb navigation can further enhance the user journey by simplifying content discovery.
  • Relevancy should be a guiding principle across your site. Google tends to reward content that demonstrates authority in a specific niche, so focusing on a well-defined area of expertise will make it easier to build credibility and brand recognition. Rather than attempting to be an expert in every field, carving out a specialized domain allows for a more organic and effective growth strategy, positioning your brand as a trusted thought leader in your industry.

2. Ad Viewability

Ads that appear on quality sites are more likely to be seen by users because these publishers prioritize clean layouts, faster loading times, and optimal ad placements. Better viewability leads to higher ad effectiveness, as ads are more visible and accessible to users, which increases CPMs. 

Since August, we’ve achieved a 147% increase in the volume of PMP deals across our network. These deals are designed to meet the high expectations of premium advertisers, with most requiring a minimum viewability rate of 70% to ensure optimal ad performance. As a result, only sites that consistently meet or exceed this standard are considered for inclusion in these premium packages, emphasizing our commitment to delivering quality inventory and driving value for both publishers and advertisers.

3. Brand Safety

High-quality publishers provide a brand-safe environment for advertisers. Advertisers are increasingly cautious about where their ads appear to avoid being associated with inappropriate or harmful content. 

Because quality publishers reduce the risk of brand damage, they attract premium advertisers willing to pay higher rates for safe, reputable placements. One of the reasons that audience curation is on the rise is the ability to select a collection of domains that the advertiser is confident in.  

Partners That Keep Us Honest

For years we have relied on Jounce Media for their data on high-risk supply, and their insights around MFA and keeping supply paths clean. Freestar is proud to be a Jounce Bellwether Publisher, recognized for the high-quality supply that spans our 800+ enterprise publishers.  

We recently launched a partnership with Deepsee.io in order to track key quality signals for publishers, both legacy and prospects. By leveraging Deepsee’s robust data insights, we now have greater confidence in demonstrating to advertisers that our publishers provide a brand-safe and highly desirable environment. Deepsee’s advanced analytics allow us to monitor and validate key safety metrics, ensuring our inventory aligns with the highest industry standards and offering reassurance to advertisers looking for quality, and secure placements.

Additionally, here are the  Freestar publisher requirements that must be met prior to eligibility. 

4. Better Ad Relevance and Contextual Targeting

Contextual targeting often presents the best possible ad experience for a user.

Quality publishers typically provide specialized, well-curated content that allows for effective contextual targeting. Advertisers can serve ads that align closely with the content, creating a more relevant experience for the user. This boosts ad performance and monetization potential, as relevant ads are more likely to convert.

5. User Retention and Ad Block Avoidance

Users on high-quality sites are less likely to use ad blockers since ads are often integrated thoughtfully and presented in non-intrusive ways. This improves the publisher’s ability to monetize, as they can reach more of their audience with ads and build long-term revenue through user retention.

Low-quality sites are also much more likely to be added to an advertiser block list, either based on the full domain or just by keyword exclusivity.

Low-quality sites face a significantly higher risk of being added to advertiser block lists, whether through full domain exclusions or keyword-based restrictions. This not only limits monetization opportunities but also undermines the site’s ability to attract premium ad campaigns, highlighting the importance of maintaining high standards to meet advertiser expectations. 

6. Long-Term Partnerships with Advertisers

In a recent Hubspot trend report, 68% of publishers believe more direct deal revenue is the best opportunity for increased revenue in 2025. 

At Freestar, we maintain strong, direct relationships with many premium advertisers, and work with them on behalf of our publishers, in order to increase the amount of revenue brought in by ID-based deals and curation packages. This approach ensures our publishers can tap into exclusive opportunities, optimizing their inventory while delivering targeted, relevant experiences.  

It’s quality publishers that are able to form strong, lasting relationships with advertisers who see value in the consistency and reliability of their placements. These partnerships lead to repeat business and often open up opportunities for exclusive or direct deals, bypassing intermediary fees and increasing profit margins.

7. Compliance with Industry Standards

High-quality publishers are generally more compliant with industry standards and best practices. Keeping above-board on data privacy, transparency, and fraud prevention makes them trusted partners for advertisers and networks.

For our own business efforts, we see a strong correlation between publisher quality and their agreement to the expectations Freestar internal teams set. Quality publishers have a strong alignment to our internal standards including adherence to timeline, willingness to implement ad layout recommendations, demand approvals and even proactive engagement in communication channels, thus making them long-term partners for Freestar.    

Publisher quality impacts every part of the ad monetization process—from the perception and engagement of the audience to the ROI and trust of advertisers. 

The post 7 Reasons Why Publisher Quality is the #1 Factor to Successful Ad Monetization first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Why January is a Chill Month for Publisher Ad Revenue: Seasonal Trends Explained https://freestar.com/why-january-is-a-chill-month-for-publisher-ad-revenue-seasonal-trends-explained/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-january-is-a-chill-month-for-publisher-ad-revenue-seasonal-trends-explained Thu, 02 Jan 2025 22:00:37 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17473 January has arrived and once again we face what is historically the slowest month of the year for publisher ad revenue. But before you seep into those new-years-blues, let us explain. We understand, and will feel the same pain to our bottom line throughout these next few weeks. However, January and the rest of Q1 don’t have to be entirely daunting. With the right strategies in place, there are effective ways to mitigate these losses and even turn this traditionally slower period into a time of growth and opportunity for your business!

Why Does This Happen?

To best understand this trend, keep in mind what has just ended – Q4! More ad dollars go to publishers in October through December than any other time of the year, making January’s CPM drop seem even more drastic. 

Post-holiday Slowdown

The post-holiday slump in advertiser spending is a predictable trend each year. Aside from a few unique product verticals such as fitness equipment, and wellness products, brands anticipate people will buy less in January as they recover from any financial debt brought on by the holiday season. For the average consumer, January is also a time to regain control of the household finances and monthly budgeting. The goal is to spend less, not more, resulting in less time online searching for the latest luxury products. 

Seasonal Advertising Trends

You know that holiday-hangover, when you awake from a sugar-induced coma only to find an empty wallet and a piercing headache from WAY too much wine and family interaction? Advertisers can also feel that way, as they enter the new year having just spent much of their budget on holiday campaigns spanning across multiple devices and consumer touch points! January often serves as a much-needed breather for publishers—a time to pause, reflect, and strategize for the year ahead to pump the brakes on spend, reassess the budget and analyze the performance of Q4 campaigns.

After January’s brief pause to spend, advertisers will reemerge with dedicated spend for tentpoles that fall later in Q1, such as the Superbowl, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day sales, tax season promotions, and spring break. 

Less Competition = Lower CPMs

The result of less advertiser spend and reduced media consumption by users is lower CPMs. For publishers, this shift means lower RPMs and less total monthly revenue. Not only does less competition among advertisers for ad placements mean lower CPMs, but with fewer active campaigns, there is more ad inventory available, driving down prices further. It’s the perfect storm. 

How To Capitalize on the Slower Season

Proactive steps can be taken in January to maximize revenue in the short-term, while also laying the groundwork for stronger performance in later months of the year. 

Plan Ahead

Every January, publishers express concerns over the drop, but this decline is both predictable and manageable. As you build out annual revenue projections, budgeting for this drop ensures you are prepared and that will mitigate any panic that this revenue decrease brings.

Optimize For Seasonal Content

If applicable to your brand, publish content that aligns with popular January topics like fitness, health, budgeting, organization, and goal-setting. These topics attract advertisers focused on New Year’s resolutions. If more so reliant on trending content, use January to create or update evergreen content that can generate consistent traffic throughout the year.

Invest in the Long-term

With the stress of Q4 behind us, January can be used for those much needed A/B tests. Test article headlines, content formats, or layouts to improve user engagement and conversion rates. If you aren’t yet capitalizing on the growing amount of digital video spend, test the video player in Q1. Early adoption gives you plenty of time to optimize the experience and maximize revenue potential well ahead of Q4 2025. According to Google, “Video ads are on average earning 8.9x higher CPMs compared to standard banner ad CPMs on Ad Exchange.”

Diversify Revenue Streams

As in most cases, diversification is key. Our core competency may be ad monetization but we regularly consult publishers on revenue opportunities outside of that.   

  • Data monetization
  • Subscription models
  • Content licensing 
  • Affiliate marketing
  • E-commerce 
  • Sponsored partnerships

Improve the UX

Some of the most common issues preventing publishers from brand growth are outdated website designs, unintuitive site navigation and confusing  taxonomies. Newer companies with more modern design and friendlier UX are beating legacy sites who didn’t make the necessary changes. With lower traffic and slower pace, offers an ideal low-risk window to make these changes. Enhancing the website’s design and functionality now not only improves user experience but also positions your brand to compete more effectively down the year. 

Direct Sales Strategy

Start building direct relationships with relevant advertisers in your space. You don’t need to hire an expensive sales team, but you can reach out to these advertisers to evangelize your website and inventory.  

Update your media kit, create customized ad packages that align with annual tentpole events, assign pricing to ad units, and find ways to offer interesting things to advertisers. At Freestar, we follow the same pattern. We leverage our SSP and DSP relationships to ensure that our publishers are well represented in the private marketplace, PG and other premium environments. Annual revenue to our publishers from deal-based IDs and curated audiences is up over 50%. We also work directly with brands and agencies, evangelizing segments of high-quality inventory for relevant direct sales campaigns.  

Focus On Audience Engagement

As we move into 2025 and beyond, audience success metrics are shifting to prioritize engagement, loyalty, and authentication. Metrics like total pageviews and sessions, once the gold standard, no longer tell the full story. Instead, deeper signals – such as engaged users, repeat visitors, and authenticated traffic – paint a more accurate picture of brand value and monetization potential.

Offer unique and customized ways for your audience to connect with you and with each other. 

  • Leverage short-form video: Create engaging short-form videos that are shareable and captivating. 
  • Optimize your Newsletter: Strengthen your newsletter strategy by offering customized content options, ensuring readers receive the information that is targeted and more relevant to them.
  • Build community spaces: Foster community through social media or forums to encourage audience interaction and connections.

Shake Up the Ad Strategy

Just like everything else in your business, the ad strategy should be looked at again each year to avoid growing stagnant. At Freestar, we pride ourselves on white-glove service and the strategic partnership we provide. We bring new ideas for ad layout, ad products and optimizations to our publishers throughout the year.   

The amount of ad units per page doesn’t have to be the same year round. If you typically run a conservative layout, you can afford increasing in January. You can also be strategic about where you increase the amount of units. Instead of across the whole site, you can temporarily add units to a segmented group of top content performers.

Hang In There!

We understand the frustrations of low CPMs! The January drop occurs every year, across every ad network and provider. If you plan in advance, and use this month to complete some outstanding dev tasks or UX improvements, the labors of January can result in even more revenue in later months of the year.

The post Why January is a Chill Month for Publisher Ad Revenue: Seasonal Trends Explained first appeared on Freestar.

]]> 5 Key Takeaways from the Publisher Predictions Webinar: Traffic, Monetization, and Market Trends https://freestar.com/5-key-takeaways-from-the-publisher-predictions-webinar-traffic-monetization-and-market-trends/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-key-takeaways-from-the-publisher-predictions-webinar-traffic-monetization-and-market-trends Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:07:29 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17452

Our latest webinar of the Publisher Predictions was an insightful deep dive into the most pressing issues and opportunities shaping the publishing and adtech landscape. From decoding audience engagement to navigating the complexities of SSP consolidation, the session offered actionable strategies for publishers aiming to thrive in a dynamic market. If you missed it, here are the top takeaways you need to know:

1. Building Smarter Traffic Strategies with Identity Graphs and Audience Segmentation

Publishers are leveraging identity graphs to unlock deeper insights into their audience profiles, creating a bridge between anonymized data and identifiable user attributes. This enables more precise audience segmentation, allowing publishers to tailor content and advertising for higher engagement and ROI. SSO (Single Sign-On) has emerged as a pivotal tool for integrating these insights, ensuring a seamless user experience while safeguarding privacy.

Pro Tip from our experts: Use your content as a testing ground to refine audience segments – track what resonates and iterate to drive higher traffic quality. Look into data to drive your content strategy.

2. Video Monetization: Filling the Gaps with a Mobile-First Approach

Video continues to dominate the ad revenue conversations in 2024 and well into 2025, but it’s no longer enough to prioritize desktop placements. Mobile-first video monetization strategies are essential, especially as mobile traffic accounts for a growing share of publisher audiences, especially when targeting the younger mobile-first demographic. Publishers can improve fill rates and monetize short-form content by optimizing video placements and format, particularly on social platforms.

Pro Tip from our experts: Experiment with vertical and immersive video formats to capture mobile users’ attention in competitive feeds.

3. Monetization Diversification: The Power of Curation and Omnichannel SSPs

Publishers are strategically curating ad inventory and packaging premium placements to attract higher bids. By partnering with omnichannel SSPs, they’re diversifying programmatic ad spend across channels like video, display, and CTV, reducing reliance on any single ad type or buyer. Supply path optimization (SPO) is critical in creating transparency and efficiency for buyers, translating to stronger revenue for publishers.

Pro Tip from our experts:  Regularly assess the performance of your SSP partners to ensure you’re maximizing omnichannel demand, being agile and adaptive.

4. The AI Evolution: Tracking User Behavior to Inform Strategy

AI/ML continues to transform how publishers understand and predict user behavior. Predictive algorithms enable content teams to anticipate trends and tailor experiences in real time, while monetization teams use AI to fine-tune programmatic auction strategies. However, successful implementation requires a balance of automation and human oversight to maintain brand integrity and user trust.

Pro Tip from our experts: Use AI to enhance first-party data insights but ensure editorial teams retain control over content narratives, thus maintaining competitive advantage regarding content refresh and contextual targeting. 

5. SSP Consolidation: What It Means for Publishers

The ongoing consolidation of the SSP market is reshaping the adtech ecosystem. Publishers should proactively evaluate their SSP partnerships and diversify their demand sources to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Pro Tip from our experts: Look for SSP partners that align with your business model, offering transparency, innovation, and consistent support.

Connect with our Speakers:

Kurt Donnell
CEO

Heather Carver
CRO

Lindsay Valdez
VP, Audience Strategy

Jamie Murphy
VP, Product

The post 5 Key Takeaways from the Publisher Predictions Webinar: Traffic, Monetization, and Market Trends first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Publisher Predictions for 2025: Part 2 https://freestar.com/publisher-predictions-for-2025-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=publisher-predictions-for-2025-part-2 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:09:00 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17447 In Part 1 of our Publisher Predictions for 2025, we explored privacy-first strategies, header bidding wrappers, and SSO. These foundational elements set the stage for publishers to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital ecosystem. In Part 2, we’ll take a deep dive into how artificial intelligence (AI), granular audience segmentation, and the evolution of video inventory and curated deals will trend in 2025. Stay tuned for the webinar coming up on December 4th, 2024!

AI in Content and Ad Optimization

It’s a critical lever of efficiency and growth for publishers. In 2025, the application of AI will become even more sophisticated, enabling publishers to unlock new revenue streams and improve user experiences across platforms/devices.

Key Use Cases of AI for Publishers:

  1. Content Personalization: AI analyzes user behavior to deliver hyper-personalized content, increasing engagement and dwell time which in turn increases user engagement on the website, thus uplifting all engagement metrics without getting penalized and staying compliant.  
  2. Ad Targeting: Machine learning algorithms optimize ad placement and formats to maximize yield purely based on user behavior/interaction based on content relevancy.

Granular Audience Segmentation

As the digital landscape becomes increasingly privacy-centric, first-party data is emerging as the key element of successful audience targeting. In 2025, publishers will tend to focus on granular segmentation to better understand their audiences and deliver more tailored advertising solutions and AI in content will drive the results. Discover more on how our ID solutions work and impact your strategies. 

Monetizing Granular Segments

Highly targeted audiences command premium CPMs, particularly in Private Marketplace (PMP) and Programmatic Guaranteed deals. Advertisers value these segments for their potential to drive conversions, making granular audience segmentation a critical monetization tool and drive engagement. 

Freestar’s solutions, powered by advanced data analytics, help publishers unlock the full potential of their first-party data, ensuring maximum yield from targeted ad campaigns. Get in touch with our Audience development teams to understand the full scope. 

The Evolution of Video Inventory and Curated Deals

Video remains one of the most lucrative formats in 2024 and well into 2025 as well. 

  • CTV and OTT Growth: Connected TV and over-the-top video platforms will open new revenue channels for publishers. This helps in getting targeted in advertising. 
  • Interactive Video Ads: Engaging formats like shoppable ads and polls will enhance user engagement and ROI.

Publishers must diversify their video offerings to meet advertiser demand and optimize ad placements across platforms.

The Value of Strategic Partnerships

In a complex and fragmented ecosystem, the right partners can make or break a publisher’s monetization strategy. 

Why Freestar?

Freestar stands out as a trusted partner for publishers, offering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of every client. Here’s how we can help:

  1. Our advanced algorithms ensure optimal yield across all ad formats.
  2. We empower publishers to monetize their audiences responsibly and effectively.
  3. With a dedicated team of experts, we provide unparalleled support to ensure success. It’s like experts helping experts. 

As we look ahead to 2025, publishers are poised for both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. At Freestar, we’re committed to helping publishers navigate this ever-changing landscape. Whether through innovative products, actionable insights, or exceptional support, we’re here to empower your growth every step of the way.

What’s next?

Register now for the webinar to know more about all predictions from our experts.

registernow

The post Publisher Predictions for 2025: Part 2 first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Publisher Predictions for 2025: Part 1 https://freestar.com/publisher-predictions-for-2025-part-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=publisher-predictions-for-2025-part-1 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:32:46 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17437 With increased focus on privacy regulations, the optimization of ad stacks, and the need for seamless user experiences, publishers must navigate a complex ecosystem to maximize revenue. In this first part of our two-part series, we talk about the transformative trends set to redefine the adtech industry in 2025, including privacy-first approaches, the rise of SSO (Single Sign-On), and the adoption of advanced Header Bidding Wrappers for ad stack optimization. 

The Privacy-First Era: Building Trust and Compliance

2025 will solidify the shift toward a privacy-first digital ecosystem, driven by evolving regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and newer regional policies. As third-party cookies phase out, publishers must adopt strategies that prioritize user privacy while maintaining robust monetization capabilities. Central to this evolution is the implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO).

Why SSO Matters in 2025

SSO solutions offer publishers a powerful way to unify user identities across their platforms. By enabling users to access content with a single set of credentials, SSO not only improves the user experience but also provides publishers with the following advantages:

  1. Enhanced Data Collection: SSO allows publishers to collect first-party data more effectively, as users are more likely to share accurate information when accessing personalized content across the website. 
  2. Improved Compliance: SSO simplifies consent management, making it easier for publishers to adhere to privacy regulations. This is achieved by consolidating user preferences and permissions in one place and making it easier and transparent for users to know what information is being collected upon entry. 
  3. Increased Engagement: Streamlined login processes encourage users to stay longer and explore more content, boosting overall engagement metrics.

Any publisher investing in a robust SSO solution will be better positioned to thrive in a post-cookie world.

Ad Stack Optimization: Header Bidding Revolution

In the advertising world, efficiency and yield optimization are essential. Header bidding has long been a game-changer for publishers, enabling them to maximize ad revenue by allowing multiple demand sources to bid simultaneously. Freestar stands as a pioneer with this header bidding wrapper technology, extending the open source Prebid.js framework. 

Learn more about Freestar’s 4-step approach to performance optimization for memory management. 

The Role of Header Bidding Wrappers

Header bidding wrappers have emerged as a crucial component of a modern ad stack. These tools provide publishers with greater control and transparency over their bidding processes. Key benefits of adopting a header bidding wrapper include:

  • Customizability: Wrappers allow publishers to set rules for prioritizing specific demand partners, creating a tailored auction environment.
  • Reduced Latency: Conducting a single auction for multiple slots reduces page load times, enhancing the user experience. This directly works with content strategies that will form the core which we will be discussing further in our part 2 in this series. 
  • Analytics and Insights: Advanced wrappers offer real-time data on auction performance, empowering publishers to make data-driven decisions.

To learn more about all the predictions, join us on the webinar on December 4th, 2024.

registernow

The post Publisher Predictions for 2025: Part 1 first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Publisher Acceptance Requirements: Are you ready to Monetize With Freestar? https://freestar.com/publisher-quality-requirements/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=publisher-quality-requirements Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:07:30 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=16449 In recent years, significant industry changes have led us to prioritize website quality and carefully evaluate the publishers we accept for monetization through Freestar. These shifts have underscored the importance of maintaining high standards in our network, ensuring that only reputable sites that align with our values and industry best practices become part of our ecosystem

Freestar partners with many of the world’s largest publishers, a success made possible through strong, strategic relationships with top SSPs, DSPs, agencies, and advertisers. In the past year alone, we’ve seen over 200% growth in deal-based and audience curation revenue. By raising our standards for publisher quality, we provide advertisers with greater confidence in the value and integrity of our network, reinforcing trust as they invest across our portfolio of sites.

With traffic from major referral sources of the past decade—such as Google organic search, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest—declining, it’s crucial for publishers to focus on UX and content quality. These elements are now essential in building brand reputation and attracting premium advertisers who prioritize engaging, high-quality sites for their campaigns.

Freestar’s Publisher Acceptance Requirements

1. As a publisher, you must be able to show 6 months of historical traffic data. It’s hard to naturally grow the amount of traffic it takes to accumulate meaningful ad revenue in anything less, and even 6 months seems short. Organic audience comes from search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo), social (Facebook, Pinterest, X, Instagram), Google News, Google Discover, YouTube, Reddit, and news syndication sources (Smart News, Flipboard, News360, Newsbreak).

2. Content must be unique to the publisher, and meant for human consumption, with the majority of traffic being unpaid. A healthy diversification of traffic is safest. We require access to Google Analytics (or equivalent) to verify that traffic is from legitimate sources.

3. We do not monetize MFA websites or sites engaging in any level of ad arbitrage. Ad density levels, MFA flags and cheap reach violations are monitored via our partners, Deepsee and Jounce.

4. Content must be brand safe. We do not monetize websites that publish, utilize or condone:

    • Piracy
    • Violence
    • Hate-speech
    • Adult content / pornography  
    • Profane speech
    • Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
    • Cruelty to humans or animals
    • IVT
    • The breaking of any laws

5. Publishers must be in good standing with all major ad providers. If you’ve had issues in the past with demand flags, penalties or rejections, we may not be able to work with you.

          6. Content must not be accurate and not misleading to users in any way. No fake news!

7. Once accepted, our specified ads.txt file must be in place at all times.

Related: Publisher Services

In order to provide publishers the high CPMs we do today, we are committed to upholding high quality standards.. As a part of this, we may request access to GA4, and ask for insights into your website traffic, revenue historicals and the relationship status with current demand partners.

Rules Around Content

We pride ourselves on being content agnostic, with publishers representing 18 different content verticals. As long as you meet all the guidelines we just listed above, it doesn’t particularly matter the niche. Some of our largest content categories are sports, news, finance, automotive, gaming and entertainment. 

Content should either be original to the publisher, or using content syndication best practices with proper permissions. The most successful monetization comes in the form of engaged website users. Content strategies that will not be accepted: stolen/scrapped, low quality AI-generated, clickbait headlines, and content with potential copyright issues.

Traffic Considerations

In order to bring you meaningful revenue, the average pageviews for our publishers are typically at least a million per month. Once accepted, we have a team of audience development experts ready to work with you on traffic growth strategies!

We do not monetize sites that incentivize users to view ads in exchange for rewards, discounts, or money. We also cannot except websites that allow gambling in exchange for real money.

Ad Layout

Our Onboarding and Yield Specialists will assist in getting ad tags created, and can answer any specific questions on the revenue impact of these modifications. We’re confident that prioritizing user experience with a conservative layout is the best strategy for the long-term revenue of your business.

  • Ad refresh rate must be set at 30 seconds or more. The refreshing of non-viewable ads is not tolerated.
  • On a given page, only one video ad can play at a time.
  • Ad density must not be higher than 30%.
  • No more than 5 ads can be in view at any given time on desktop, 3 on mobile.
  • Ads cannot block content from users.
  • Ads cannot be stacked, neither vertical or horizontally.
  • No overlapping ads.
  • Landing page layout cannot artificially initiate clicks or impressions.
  • No auto playing ads with sound.

If you’re ready to monetize with Freestar, meeting our publisher acceptance requirements is the first step toward unlocking new revenue potential. By partnering with us, you’ll join a network that prioritizes quality, transparency, and value, offering a seamless path to higher CPMs and premium demand

Are you ready for the next steps? Click the link below to get started. We can’t wait to meet you!

The post Publisher Acceptance Requirements: Are you ready to Monetize With Freestar? first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Top 10 Reasons ID Solutions Help Publishers Leverage First-Party Data for Increased Ad Revenue https://freestar.com/top-10-reasons-id-solutions-help-publishers-leverage-first-party-data-for-increased-ad-revenue/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-reasons-id-solutions-help-publishers-leverage-first-party-data-for-increased-ad-revenue Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:37:11 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17372

Publishers are increasingly reliant on first-party data to drive ad revenue and deliver personalized experiences to their audiences. However, effectively leveraging this first party data can be a complex task. This is where identity solutions (ID) come into play and create efficiency. By providing a unified view of users across different devices and platforms, identity solutions enable publishers to maximize the value of their first-party data.

Rich Audience Segmentation

This allows for more personalized ad targeting and content delivery, leading to improved user engagement and higher click-through rates allowing users to spend more time on the website which in any intent signal tracking and push them to come as returning users to the site. This increases quality traffic on the site which helps in organic ranking across. 

Addressable Inventory Across Browsers

With identity solutions, publishers can track users across different browsers and devices, ensuring that their ad targeting remains consistent and effective. This enables publishers to reach their audiences on a wider range of platforms, increasing their potential ad revenue.

Improved Data Privacy

The lack of consent from IOS users including Safari have hit eCPMs hard, with revenue dropping drastically across the board. Survey data shows that eCPMs on an average, 70% lower than those from publishers’ addressable inventory. These impacts depend heavily on the percentage of traffic coming from non-Chrome browsers, which can make up about 40-50% of total traffic in regions like the USA, UK, and Australia.

Identity solutions can be implemented in a way that respects user privacy by obtaining explicit consent for data collection and usage. This helps publishers comply with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, mitigating the risk of fines and penalties.

Enhanced Contextual Targeting

Identity solutions can be combined with contextual targeting to deliver ads that are highly relevant to the content users are consuming. This improves user experience and leads to higher engagement rates and better ad performance on the site creating an overall positive user experience for visitors.

Increased eCPMs

By delivering more targeted and relevant ads, publishers can command higher eCPMs from advertisers. This translates into increased ad revenue for publishers, ultimately improving their bottom line.

Better Measurement and Data Attribution

Identity solutions provide more accurate tracking of user behavior and ad performance, allowing publishers to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns. Publishers are in need of a secure storage solution for their growing first-party data, and a data lake is often the go-to choice. Unlike traditional databases, data lakes can handle both structured and unstructured data. Publishers can safely store all customer information and easily create custom datasets when required.

Improved User Experience

Identity solutions enable publishers to deliver personalized content and recommendations based on user preferences, improving the overall user experience.

Enhanced Ad Fraud Prevention

Identity solutions can help detect and prevent ad fraud by identifying suspicious patterns and malicious activity. This protects publishers’ ad revenue from fraudulent traffic and ensures that their campaigns are delivering genuine results.

Advertisers and publishers can work together through data clean rooms, enabling them to share data in a privacy-compliant manner. Stand alone  clean rooms, in particular, allow data owners to match similar audience segments and improve user profiles using look-alike modeling, while personal information remains anonymous. 

Greater Ad Inventory Monetization

Identity solutions enable publishers to optimize their ad inventory by matching the right ads with the right users. This maximizes the revenue potential of ad inventory and ensures that publishers are getting the best possible rates for their ad space.

Long term viability

Identity solutions are designed to be adaptable to future industry changes, such as the evolving landscape of data privacy regulations and technological advancements. This ensures that publishers’ ad revenue strategies remain viable and effective in the long run and thus being able to be agile in motion. Through a definite ID framework publishers can collect data in the way they observe it from users’ behaviors and actions on their sites, while advertisers can collect it to help with targeting and campaign measurement which as mentioned above will increase user engagements, eCPMs, inventory management and higher ad revenue. 

What does it mitigate?

This reduces all risks involved in the mapping of audiences and segments between advertisers and publishers, in the programmatic ecosystem where there are many intermediaries and bidders.

At Freestar, we specialize in helping publishers navigate these complexities and optimize their monetization strategies. Don’t let the competition leave you behind—contact us today to learn how we can help you implement an ID Graph solution and unlock your full revenue potential.

 

The post Top 10 Reasons ID Solutions Help Publishers Leverage First-Party Data for Increased Ad Revenue first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Top 10 Reasons Why ID Solutions Help in Personalizing Content https://freestar.com/top-10-reasons-why-id-solutions-help-in-personalizing-content/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-reasons-why-id-solutions-help-in-personalizing-content Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:03:26 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17358

Delivering personalized content is key to capturing user attention and driving engagement. However, personalization is only as good as the data behind it. That’s where Identity (ID) Graph solutions come into play. By leveraging ID solutions, publishers can connect data points across devices and platforms, helping deliver the right content to the right audience at the right time.

What’s an ID Graph Solution?

An ID Graph solution connects a user’s interactions across multiple devices, platforms, and channels, creating a unified profile that informs how content is personalized. This holistic view, often referred to as an “Identity Graph,” provides publishers with the ability to deliver content experiences that are finely tuned to individual user behavior and preferences.

Here’s how an ID Graph makes content personalization a reality:

1. Comprehensive Audience Profiles

ID Graphs aggregate user data from multiple sources, creating rich audience profiles. These profiles allow publishers to deliver personalized content tailored to each user’s preferences, behaviors, and interests, and the usage of a device The result? More relevant content that leads to highly targeted content that boosts more engagement, and increased loyalty.

2. Smarter Content Recommendations

ID solutions enhance your ability to offer more accurate content recommendations by drawing on a user’s history across devices and channels. By serving personalized recommendations, publishers can guide users to consume more content, driving deeper engagement that increases the time spent on the site, and improve the click-through rates.

3. Cross-Device Content Consistency

With an ID Graph, users can receive personalized content no matter which device they’re using. This cross-device consistency is vital for maintaining engagement as users switch between mobile, desktop, and other devices thus ensuring the ads are being delivered seamlessly across devices.

4. Increased Relevance

Using an ID Graph allows you to deliver content based on highly specific user behaviors. Whether it’s adjusting headlines or recommending articles, the increased relevance makes users feel more connected to your site. This not only makes the website relevant but also can drastically reduce bounce rates and increase page views, achieving a higher level of personalization.

5. Detailed Audience Segmentation

ID solutions enable publishers to segment their audience with incredible detail. By understanding nuanced behavior patterns, publishers can tailor content for specific audience segments, delivering hyper-relevant material that improves engagement. The more tailored your content, the more time users spend on your site.

6. Boosted Engagement

Personalized content has been proven to generate higher engagement. With an ID Graph, publishers can present users with content that aligns perfectly with their interests, boosting click-through rates and interaction. This increase in engagement not only helps build loyalty but also contributes to higher ad revenues.

7. Optimized Ad Targeting

ID solutions don’t just enhance content personalization—they also improve ad personalization mapping a better user journey.. By using the same data to tailor both content and ads, publishers can ensure that users see ads that are relevant and engaging, leading to higher click-through rates and better monetization opportunities.

8. Data-driven decisions

 As ID solutions provide valuable insights into the various user behavior on the site, it helps publishers to make not only data-driven decisions but be data-informed as well at all times. This will in turn boost better content creation, superior ad placements, that will in turn impact the ad revenue. 

These help in creating long-lasting relationships with the audiences by ensuring that each interaction feels tailored and relevant. 

9. Be compliant

While privacy concerns are becoming highly notable across industries, ID solutions create “privacy-friendly” ways to target users. The shift away from third-party cookies encourages greater transparency and empowers users to have more control over their data, improving online security and reducing cyber threats.

10. Future-Proofing Personalization Efforts

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, reliance on first-party data becomes even more crucial. ID Graphs allow publishers to maintain personalized content delivery even as third-party cookies disappear, ensuring they remain competitive and continue providing a valuable, relevant user experience.

 

Don’t Miss Out: Elevate Your Content Strategy with ID Solutions

Personalized content is no longer optional—it’s essential. Implementing an ID Graph solution allows publishers to offer tailored content that captivates users, drives deeper engagement, and boosts revenue.

At Freestar, we help publishers unlock the full potential of their content by integrating powerful ID solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can help you personalize your content and enhance your monetization strategy.

The post Top 10 Reasons Why ID Solutions Help in Personalizing Content first appeared on Freestar.

]]> Top 10 Reasons How ID Graph Solutions Help in Increasing CPM Rates https://freestar.com/top-10-reasons-how-id-graph-solutions-help-in-increasing-cpm-rates/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-reasons-how-id-graph-solutions-help-in-increasing-cpm-rates Thu, 05 Sep 2024 19:02:08 +0000 https://freestar.com/?p=17345

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital advertising, publishers are constantly seeking ways to optimize their revenue streams. One of the most impactful strategies for increasing revenue is through higher CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions) rates, which directly tie to how effectively ad inventory is monetized. 

But first, what’s an Identity graph solution?

It denotes creating a unified view of a user behavior by connecting various data points across multiple devices, channels, and platforms. This holistic view is often referred as an “Identity Graph (ID)” solution 

Implementing an Identity (ID) Graph solution is key to achieving these higher CPMs, as it allows for more precise audience targeting and better ad personalization. Without leveraging an ID Graph, publishers aren’t just missing out on premium ad deals—they’re leaving significant revenue on the table. Here’s how:

1. Enhanced Audience Targeting

ID Graphs aggregate user data across various devices and platforms, creating a unified view of the user. This allows advertisers to target their desired audiences with precision, leading to more relevant ads being served since it becomes targeted. When advertisers can reach their ideal audience, they’re willing to pay a premium, resulting in higher CPMs for publishers, resulting in revenue uplift.

2. Improved Ad Personalization

With an ID Graph, personalization goes beyond basic demographics. Advertisers can tailor their messages based on user behavior, interests, and intent. Personalized ads tend to perform better, attracting higher bids and boosting CPM rates. ID graphs also support Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) by giving the right data to tailor ad creatives dynamically based on the user profile. 

3. Cross-Device Tracking

Users today interact with content across multiple devices and platforms ID graphs can recognize the same user across different devices, ensuring ads are delivered in a consistent and targeted approach which helps in providing a comprehensive view of the user journey. Advertisers value this cross-device consistency as it offers more targeted and premium ad placements, which can drive up demand and, consequently, CPMs.

4. Reduced Wasted Impressions

By accurately identifying and targeting users, ID Graphs minimize wasted impressions on non-relevant audiences. This efficiency makes your inventory more valuable to advertisers, who are willing to pay more for effective ad placements, thus not only increasing your CPM but also create a frequency cap to enable optimized ad delivery.

5. Strengthened Data Privacy Compliance

In a world increasingly focused on data privacy, ID Graphs help ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. When advertisers feel confident that their ads are served in a privacy-compliant environment, they’re more likely to invest.

6. Access to Premium Demand

ID Graphs open the door to premium demand partners who prioritize quality and precision in their ad buys. This access to high-caliber advertisers means higher bids for your optimized  ad inventory and dynamic pricing as it enables a more sophisticated programmatic strategy including dynamic pricing that adjust based on user profiles and demand.

7. Better Audience Segmentation

With the detailed insights provided by an ID Graph, you can create more granular audience segments. Advertisers are willing to pay more for specific, high-intent segments, as opposed to broad, less-targeted groups that align with the target demographics and behavioral patterns.

8. Enhanced Attribution Models

ID Graphs offer improved attribution capabilities, allowing advertisers to understand better the customer journey and the impact of their ads. Clear, accurate attribution increases the perceived value of ad placements, encouraging advertisers to invest more, as it allows them to understand the campaign effectiveness better and justify spends.

9. Increased Buyer Confidence

When advertisers know they’re getting accurate, reliable data from ID Graphs, their confidence in placing higher bids grows. They have better control over where and to whom the ads are being served which builds brand safety. This trust translates to higher demand for your inventory and, ultimately, better CPMs.

10. Future-Proofing Against Third-Party Cookie Deprecation

As the industry moves away from third-party cookies, ID Graphs are becoming essential for maintaining accurate targeting capabilities as reliance on first-party data increases Publishers who adopt ID Graph solutions now are better positioned to command high CPM rates in a cookie-less future, avoiding the revenue dips that come with outdated methods.

Don’t Miss Out: Get Ahead with ID Graph Solutions

The ad tech landscape is rapidly changing, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for maximizing your revenue. By integrating an ID Graph solution, you can significantly boost your CPM rates, attracting premium advertisers who value precision, personalization, compliance, and a better return on investment.

At Freestar, we specialize in helping publishers navigate these complexities and optimize their monetization strategies. Don’t let the competition leave you behind—contact us today to learn how we can help you implement an ID Graph solution and unlock your full revenue potential.

 


To gain further insights and strategies for managing publisher traffic and maximizing revenue, watch our recorded webinar, The Truth About Publisher Traffic

The post Top 10 Reasons How ID Graph Solutions Help in Increasing CPM Rates first appeared on Freestar.

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