As digital marketers, we’re no strangers to the ever-evolving landscape of online advertising. With the rise of programmatic buying and real-time bidding, the art of digital marketing has become increasingly complex. Amidst the chaos, one crucial aspect often gets overlooked: the requirements you actually need to get into a premium ad network like Raptive.
Overview of Raptive
Raptive (formerly AdThrive) is a premium ad management network that partners with independent content creators and publishers to optimize display advertising revenue. It focuses on high-quality, brand-safe sites and serves over 3,500 publishers globally, reaching hundreds of millions of unique visitors monthly. Joining involves a rigorous vetting process, with only about 18% of applications approved, to ensure advertiser confidence.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the standard Raptive network (often referred to as “Premium” due to its exclusive ad campaigns and higher revenue potential), your website must meet these key criteria based on official guidelines:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Pageviews | Minimum of 100,000 pageviews (verified via Google Analytics). This ensures sufficient scale for premium ad placements. |
| Traffic Quality | Majority from Tier-1 countries: US, UK, Canada, Australia, and/or New Zealand. – For 100,000–249,999 pageviews: At least 40% from these countries. – Higher traffic sites may have slightly adjusted thresholds, but quality remains key. Traffic must be organic and from trustworthy sources (no bots or low-quality referrals). |
| Content Standards | – Original, engaging, long-form content on the majority of pages. – Brand-safe (no adult, violent, or controversial material that could deter advertisers). – Meaningful human involvement (not AI-generated spam). |
| Site Age and Setup | – Domain at least 6 months old. – Clean advertising history: No violations or bans from major providers (e.g., Google AdSense). – Technical compatibility: Easy to add/configure ads (e.g., responsive design, no heavy restrictions). |
| Google Analytics | Properly installed and connected, with accurate data for review. |
Notes on Requirements:
- These apply to the primary site. Additional sites under an existing Raptive account have lower thresholds (e.g., 25,000 pageviews for “Insiders” level, or waived for higher tiers like Platinum).
- Outdated sources may reference lower thresholds (e.g., 25,000 pageviews), but current official requirements are 100,000+.
- If your site falls short post-approval, Raptive provides growth support rather than immediate removal.
How to Apply and Join
- Verify Eligibility: Use Google Analytics to confirm your metrics. Ensure your site aligns with content and technical standards.
- Submit Application: Fill out the online form at Raptive’s application page. Provide your site’s URL, Google Analytics access (view-only), and details on ownership. Apply separately for each site.
- Review Process: A team reviews your application and site manually (typically 1–2 weeks). They check traffic, content, and ad-friendliness.
- Onboarding (if Approved):
- Sign the service contract (exclusive ad management; Raptive takes ~25% fee for services).
- Choose self-install or let Raptive handle ad setup (requires site access).
- Sign a Traffic Assignment Letter (TAL) for Comscore aggregation to boost visibility.
- Join the private Facebook community for networking.
- Go Live: Ads launch within days; access a dashboard for earnings insights (RPMs often 2–3x higher than self-serve networks).
For questions, submit a support request via their help center. If rejected, focus on growing traffic/content—reapply once eligible. Raptive emphasizes long-term partnerships, including privacy compliance and premium campaigns.