An ad network is a technology platform that connects advertisers to publishers or websites that want to host advertisements. The key function of an ad network is to aggregate ad supply from publishers and match it with the advertisers demand. Ad networks act as intermediaries between advertisers and publishers, helping advertisers buy available ad space across multiple publishers. They collect unsold ad inventory from multiple publishers and offer this pool of impressions to advertisers at a much lower price than a publishers direct sales. Ad networks take all of the available inventory from a publisher and sell it to advertisers as packaged impressions.
Ad networks offer a platform for advertisers to sign in and manage their advertising campaigns. They also offer a managed service in which account managers act as consultants and use their expertise to ensure campaigns run at optimal levels. Ad networks support a wide spectrum of ad formats (e.g. banners, native ads) and platforms (e.g. display, mobile, video) . There are several types of ad networks, including premium ad networks, vertical ad networks, and targeted ad networks.
Ad networks are important because they act as a technical and commercial intermediary between advertisers and publishers. They help advertisers reach their target audience and increase conversions, and for publishers, they are an effective way to secure buyers and fill ad inventory. Ad networks use algorithms to ensure that ads reach the target audience, though the supply paths arent always transparent.
In summary, an ad network is a platform that connects advertisers to publishers or websites that want to host ad...