BuySellAds is an advertising marketplace where publishers list ad spaces on their websites, newsletters or podcasts and advertisers buy them directly. Instead of an automated auction, you set the price and approve each advertiser. BuySellAds handles billing and delivery and pays you your share. It also runs Carbon Ads, its selective network for developer and design sites.
At a glance
| What it is | Direct ad marketplace |
| Inventory | Website, newsletter and podcast placements |
| Pricing | Set by the publisher |
| Revenue share | Reported at 75% to the publisher |
| Approval | Each advertiser approved by you |
| Payouts | Reported twice a month; $20 PayPal minimum |
| Also runs | Carbon Ads |
How it works
You apply and, once accepted, create ad zones with your own prices and formats. Advertisers browse the marketplace, choose your placement and pay. You approve the creative before it runs. BuySellAds collects payment, serves the ad and pays you after taking its share.
Direct deals, not auctions
Because advertisers buy your space directly, prices are clear and you control who appears on your site. The trade-off is that there is no automatic optimisation: if no one buys a slot, it stays empty unless you fill it with something else.
Who buys
Advertisers on BuySellAds tend to be software, design and developer tools, along with other brands looking for specific audiences. Niche sites with a clear audience usually do best.
What you can realistically earn
Earnings depend on your audience and prices. A well-defined niche, such as developers or designers, can command good rates; general sites may struggle to sell slots.
Getting started
Apply with a site that has a clear audience and steady traffic. Price your first zones modestly to win early buyers, then adjust as demand grows.
Common mistakes
Some publishers price slots too high before they have any buyers, and the zones sit empty. Others list on a general site with no clear audience, which makes it hard for advertisers to see the value. A third mistake is ignoring the creative review, which is your chance to keep low-quality ads off the site.
Pricing your zones
Start with a price close to what similar sites in your niche charge, and lower it if nothing sells after a few weeks. Once a slot sells out regularly, raise the price gradually. Clear audience details and traffic numbers help advertisers decide quickly.
Keeping track
Watch which zones sell, how often they renew and how advertisers’ ads perform. Returning advertisers are the best sign your audience is worth the price.
Combining income
Many publishers use BuySellAds for premium spots and fill the rest of the page, or unsold slots, with a programmatic network. That way no space goes unused.
Before you apply
Prepare clear audience details: who reads your site, where they are and how many visit. Decide which placements you can offer without hurting the reader experience, and check that your design has room for them.
Final tip
Offer a sponsorship package that bundles a website slot with a newsletter mention. Advertisers value reaching the same audience in two places, and packages sell more easily than single slots.
Who earns most here
Developer, design, productivity and niche B2B sites tend to attract the most buyers, because advertisers in those fields want precise audiences.
Reader experience
Direct ads are chosen and approved by you, so they tend to fit the site better than automatic ads. Keep the number of zones small and the designs clean, and readers are more likely to notice and click.
Payment options
BuySellAds pays by PayPal with a low minimum, which suits small publishers. Check current methods and fees for larger payouts in your dashboard before choosing one.
Owen’s take
BuySellAds suits publishers who prefer direct relationships with advertisers and clear prices. Pair it with a programmatic network if slots go unsold.
Who it suits
It suits niche sites, newsletters and podcasts with defined audiences. It suits less well general sites that need automatic fill.
Similar options
- Carbon Ads is BuySellAds’ developer network.
- Paved sells newsletter sponsorships.
- EthicalAds serves developer sites.
- Google AdSense fills space automatically.
More options are in Blogging & Ads.
Pros and cons
Pros
- You set prices
- You approve every advertiser
- Low PayPal payout minimum
Cons
- No automatic fill
- Works best for niche audiences
- Selective approval
FAQ
Who sets the prices on BuySellAds?
You do.
Can I approve ads before they run?
Yes.
What revenue share does BuySellAds pay?
Reported at 75% to publishers.
How often does BuySellAds pay?
Reported twice a month, with a $20 PayPal minimum.
Can I sell newsletter or podcast ads?
Yes, alongside website placements.
