The next step in my quest of trying different ad networks was signing up for an in-text ad network. Originally I wanted to use Intellitxt, but they have a stiff pageview requirement that none of my sites currently meet. Luckily, I was able to get in on a special partnership with Kontera that accepts blogs based entirely on the quality of their content.

An example of in-text advertising (using Kontera)

There is a little bit of confusion with branding here, so let me explain. Kontera is to ContentLink as Google is to AdSense. Kontera is a marketing company that manages an in-text advertising network called ContentLink.

ContentLink ads are more invasive than some people like. I think you have to decide on a site by site basis. They can clutter your design and annoy your visitors, depending on your content. Generally, you only want to use in-text advertising like Intellitxt and ContentLink on content-heavy pages, with at least a few paragraphs of text.

The ad code is just a simple Javascript code that your put at the bottom of your pages. The script scans for keywords on the page and matches them with advertiser’s products to create the in-text ads. The ads are CPC, so I get money every time someone clicks them. The best part about it is that they are relevant to the content, so I know both my readers and my advertisers are happy.

Kontera ContentLink pays well too. I’ve been running the ads on one of my blogs for the past two weeks now. On good days, it will make more money than AdSense. On average days, it makes slightly less than AdSense. Still, it’s by far one of the best ad networks I’ve ever used.

Now, you can signup for Kontera ContentLink and start making money too, thanks to the John Chow / Kontera partnership. All you need to do is fill out the application and put “John Chow Kontera partnership” in the Comments field. If your content is deemed acceptable, you should be approved within a few days. Enjoy!