« Back to Glossary Index

What is an Ad Network?

An Ad Network serves as an intermediary that connects advertisers with publishers. It aggregates ad inventory from various publishers and then sells it to advertisers who are looking to place ads across multiple platforms. The primary advantage for advertisers lies in more precise ad targeting and optimal ad placement, often fetching premium prices for ad inventory.

Business Models in Ad Networks

Vertical Networks:

Vertical networks focus on specific niches or industries, allowing for highly targeted advertising. Advertisers usually have a high level of control over ad placement in these networks.

Blind Networks:

These are more generalized networks where advertisers have less control over where their ads are placed. However, the cost per impression is usually lower, making it more affordable.

Targeted Networks:

In these networks, advanced data analytics are used to pinpoint specific user demographics or behavior, giving advertisers more control over ad targeting.

Tier Structure in Ad Networks

First-Tier Networks:

These include search engine-based networks and are generally considered premium. They offer high-quality ad inventory and usually have a larger client base.

Second-Tier Networks:

These networks syndicate ads from other ad networks and are usually more affordable. However, the ad quality and targeting options might not be as refined.

Ad Network Advantages for Stakeholders

For Publishers:

Ad Networks offer an avenue for publishers to sell their unsold ad inventory. They can also benefit from the advanced technology that Ad Networks provide for ad rotation and targeting.

For Advertisers:

Using an Ad Network allows advertisers to scale their campaigns and benefit from automation. Advanced tracking and reporting features can also provide valuable insights into campaign performance.

Programmatic Advertising and Ad Networks

In the context of Programmatic Advertising, Ad Networks can be highly beneficial. Ad Networks often use programmatic methods to auction off ad inventory in real-time. This involves real-time bidding (RTB), where advertisers can bid on ad inventory across various publishers, making the entire process more efficient and data-driven.

Related Articles:
Related Glossary Terms:
  • Ad Exchange
    An ad exchange in programmatic advertising is an online marketplace where advertisers, agencies, demand-side platforms, publishers, and supply-side platforms may bid on advertising inventory from multiple publishers utilising real-time bidding (RTB).
  • Outstream Video
    Outstream video, also referred to as in-read or native video, is an advertising term describing video advertisements placed in otherwise non-video original content. When a user navigates to it within text material (usually an article), it automatically starts playing in a big format player, even if the publisher doesn't have any video content.
  • RON
    Run of Network (sometimes referred to as “RON”) is the term where an advertising campaign or PMP is applied to the entire network of websites within an Ad Network. It is actually a form of internet marketing where an online advertising campaign is applied to a wide collection of websites without the ability to choose specific sites.
  • Run of Network
    Run of Network (sometimes referred to as “RON”) is the term where an advertising campaign or PMP is applied to the entire network of websites within an Ad Network.
  • Sell Through Rate
    Sell Through Rate is a sell-side metric that is sourced and calculated from a Publisher's Ad server and is represented as a percentage. The Sell-Through Rate compares the quantity of current or anticipated inventory with the quantity sold over a predetermined time period.


« Back to Programmatic Glossary Index

Food Targeting Categories

Since 2008, Gourmet Ads has been the global leader in food-focused advertising, specializing in Contextual Targeting. Discover a wide range of Food Targeting Categories for your next advertising campaign or programmatic deals, including Alcohol, Beverage, Cuisine, Diet, Ingredient, Kitchen Appliances, Non-Endemic, Publisher, and Recipe Targeting. We ensure your brand resonates with an engaged, culinary-inclined audience, transforming advertising campaigns into deliciously successful endeavors. Experience Gourmet Ads—where your message meets the appetite of your desired market.

Alcohol Targeting

Alcohol Targeting

Beverage Targeting

Beverage Targeting

Cuisine Targeting

Cuisine Targeting

Diet Targeting

Diet Targeting

Ingredient Targeting

Ingredient Targeting

Kitchen Appliances Targeting

Kitchen Appliances Targeting

Non-Endemic Targeting

Non-Endemic Targeting

Kitchen Targeting

Kitchen Targeting

Recipe Targeting

Recipe Targeting

Let’s Get Started ! 

Let the Gourmet Ads team walk you through all the options available to ensure that your Food, Supermarket, Beverage or Kitchen advertising campaign has the best possible combination of Premium Guaranteed Inventory, Scale, First Party Data, Contextual Targeting and Programmatic Advertising elements.