40 Alternatives to Google and Facebook Ads: A Practical Guide with Pros and Cons
Google and Facebook may dominate the digital ad world, but they’re not the only game in town. Whether you’re looking to diversify traffic, lower ad costs, or find new audiences, there are dozens of platforms worth exploring. This guide gives you 40 top advertising alternatives—each with a brief summary, pros, and cons so you can decide what’s right for your business.
✦ Search & Display Ad Platforms
1. Microsoft Ads (Bing Ads)
A search engine ad platform serving Bing, Yahoo, and AOL users. It’s a great option for reaching older, higher-income demographics.
✦ Pros: Lower CPCs than Google
✦ Cons: Smaller search volume
2. Yahoo Gemini (Verizon Media Native)
Yahoo’s native ad network serves display ads on Yahoo News, Finance, and AOL properties.
✦ Pros: Good native placements across Yahoo-owned sites
✦ Cons: Less advanced targeting features
3. AdRoll
An ad platform focused on retargeting and multichannel display advertising across web, email, and social.
✦ Pros: Powerful retargeting features
✦ Cons: Can be expensive without solid ROI
4. Outbrain
A native advertising network that places content recommendations on publisher websites like CNN and Time.
✦ Pros: Large audience reach with native format
✦ Cons: Clickbait-style content often performs better
5. Taboola
One of the largest native advertising platforms, often seen below articles on news websites.
✦ Pros: Extensive publisher network
✦ Cons: Traffic quality can vary
6. RevContent
Known for higher-quality publisher placements and strict content rules, making it ideal for premium campaigns.
✦ Pros: Strong targeting and cleaner placements
✦ Cons: Approval process can be tough for small brands
7. BuySellAds
Connects advertisers directly with niche websites to buy banner, display, and native ad space.
✦ Pros: Transparent pricing and premium placements
✦ Cons: Requires manual setup and upfront budget
8. Infolinks
Offers in-text and overlay ads that integrate with website content for a contextual experience.
✦ Pros: Easy integration for advertisers and publishers
✦ Cons: Ads can feel intrusive to users
9. Bidvertiser
A beginner-friendly ad network with CPC and pop-under options.
✦ Pros: Fast approval and simple interface
✦ Cons: Lower traffic quality than larger networks
10. Media.net
A contextual ad platform powered by Yahoo and Bing with a focus on keyword relevance.
✦ Pros: High relevance with contextual targeting
✦ Cons: Works best with U.S. traffic
✦ Social Media Advertising Alternatives
11. LinkedIn Ads
A professional ad platform ideal for B2B, HR, and executive-level targeting.
✦ Pros: Unmatched B2B targeting options
✦ Cons: Very high cost-per-click (CPC)
12. Pinterest Ads
Great for lifestyle, eCommerce, home, and fashion brands targeting users in inspiration mode.
✦ Pros: Strong visual discovery platform
✦ Cons: Less effective for service-based businesses
13. Twitter/X Ads
Allows you to promote tweets and trends to target audiences in real time.
✦ Pros: Real-time exposure during trending events
✦ Cons: Lower ROI unless timed perfectly
14. Snapchat Ads
Ideal for brands targeting Gen Z with short, engaging video ads.
✦ Pros: Young, highly engaged user base
✦ Cons: Weak for older demographics
15. TikTok Ads
A fast-growing video-based ad platform with viral potential for bold creatives.
✦ Pros: High engagement and viral reach
✦ Cons: Requires fresh, creative content
16. Reddit Ads
Run ads in niche communities based on subreddit interests and behaviors.
✦ Pros: Highly targeted by community interest
✦ Cons: Users are ad-averse and highly skeptical
17. Quora Ads
Target users based on the questions they browse and answer, making intent very specific.
✦ Pros: Intent-driven targeting
✦ Cons: Limited user base compared to others
18. Tumblr Sponsored Posts
Useful for visual brands looking to reach younger, artsy audiences.
✦ Pros: Unique and creative demographic
✦ Cons: Smaller active user base
19. Discord Sponsorships
Partner with active community servers to promote products in niche interest groups.
✦ Pros: Intimate community-based trust
✦ Cons: Requires manual outreach and negotiations
20. Telegram Promotions
Popular for crypto and finance brands—promote to large channels or through bot systems.
✦ Pros: Direct messaging access to users
✦ Cons: Difficult to measure results
✦ Content & Influencer Marketing
21. Sponsored Blog Posts
Pay bloggers or media sites to publish a branded article that drives traffic or links.
✦ Pros: Boosts SEO and brand awareness
✦ Cons: Results depend on the blog’s credibility
22. Influencer Platforms (e.g., AspireIQ, Upfluence)
Connects you to creators on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for paid collaborations.
✦ Pros: Social proof and targeted reach
✦ Cons: ROI can vary wildly based on influencer selection
23. Medium Publications
Sponsor posts or write content for Medium’s established publications.
✦ Pros: Access to large, trust-based readership
✦ Cons: Limited customization and targeting
24. Substack Sponsorships
Sponsor curated newsletters with high engagement in specific industries.
✦ Pros: Direct, high-quality reader engagement
✦ Cons: Hard to scale or automate
25. YouTube Sponsorships
Pay creators to mention or review your product during their video content.
✦ Pros: High trust and long-term visibility
✦ Cons: High cost for top creators
26. Podcast Ads
Run host-read or pre-recorded ads inside niche podcasts.
✦ Pros: Engaged and loyal audience base
✦ Cons: Tracking ROI can be tricky
27. Reddit AMAs (Ask Me Anything)
Run a live Q&A with Redditors to build transparency and brand trust.
✦ Pros: Great for thought leadership
✦ Cons: Must be genuine—Redditors spot fakes quickly
✦ Email & Direct Marketing
28. Solo Email Ads
Pay a list owner to send an email to their audience with your offer or content.
✦ Pros: Fast list growth and leads
✦ Cons: Quality and trustworthiness vary
29. Newsletter Sponsorships
Buy ad space in curated email newsletters targeted to a specific audience.
✦ Pros: High open and engagement rates
✦ Cons: Limited inventory for some niches
30. Direct Mail Campaigns
Send postcards, letters, or physical offers to targeted mailing lists.
✦ Pros: Memorable and tangible
✦ Cons: Costly and slower than digital ads
31. SMS Marketing
Send promotional texts directly to subscribers’ phones.
✦ Pros: Immediate attention with high open rates
✦ Cons: Easily marked as spam
✦ Affiliate & Referral Platforms
32. ClickBank
A global marketplace for digital product affiliates to promote your offers.
✦ Pros: Massive reach and easy setup
✦ Cons: Some lower-quality affiliates and high refund rates
33. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
Enterprise-level affiliate network with premium brands and tools.
✦ Pros: Trusted by big companies
✦ Cons: Not beginner-friendly
34. Rakuten Advertising
One of the oldest affiliate networks, strong in retail and loyalty programs.
✦ Pros: Access to top-tier affiliates
✦ Cons: Interface feels outdated
35. ShareASale
Popular for eCommerce brands with a wide range of niches and moderate entry costs.
✦ Pros: Affordable and user-friendly
✦ Cons: Smaller affiliate pool
36. Impact.com
Enterprise-level affiliate and partnership platform with advanced analytics.
✦ Pros: High-level tracking and scalability
✦ Cons: Better suited for large brands
37. TUNE (HasOffers)
A customizable affiliate tracking system for large and complex affiliate programs.
✦ Pros: Full control and deep customization
✦ Cons: Requires technical setup
38. ReferralCandy
An easy-to-use referral tool designed for eCommerce stores.
✦ Pros: Incentivizes customer referrals
✦ Cons: Only works if you already have happy buyers
✦ Guerrilla & Creative Alternatives
39. Sponsor Niche Forums or Communities
Partner with forums, Slack groups, or online communities to reach niche markets.
✦ Pros: High trust with engaged audiences
✦ Cons: Small reach and often manual setup
40. Giveaway Tools (KingSumo, Gleam)
Use viral contests to drive email opt-ins and social shares.
✦ Pros: Rapid list growth and social buzz
✦ Cons: Lead quality can be low if incentives are misaligned
Final Thoughts
Diversifying away from Google and Facebook can unlock better ROI, lower ad costs, and reduce dependency on a single platform. These 40 alternatives provide a full toolbox—pick the ones that fit your budget, audience, and goals, and test from there.
Need help choosing or implementing one of these platforms? Drop a comment or get in touch—we’ll help you pick the right traffic mix.
