WordPress makes it easy to publish content. However, it has no built-in tool for ads. You could paste ad codes into theme files, but that is slow and risky. A better way is to use ad plugins for WordPress. They place, rotate and track ads without any coding. In this article we compare the five best options.
Why use ad plugins for WordPress?
An ad plugin saves time and prevents mistakes. For example, you can add one ad after the second paragraph of every post with a single setting. Moreover, your ads stay in place when you change the theme.
Before you choose, check a few things.
- Automatic placement. Can the plugin insert ads into posts for you?
- Ad types. Does it support AdSense, header bidding tags and your own banners?
- Device targeting. Can you show different ads on mobile and desktop?
- Ads.txt. Can it manage your ads.txt file?
- Speed. Is it light and does it work with caching?
The 5 best ad plugins for WordPress
1. Advanced Ads
Advanced Ads is a complete ad manager. It supports AdSense, Google Ad Manager and any custom code. In addition, you can set conditions, so an ad shows only on certain pages or devices. The free version is enough for most blogs. Paid add-ons bring extra features, for example more placements and tracking.
Best for: publishers who want one tool for everything.
2. Ad Inserter
Ad Inserter is known for its many insertion options. You can place code before or after any paragraph, image or heading. It also has an ads.txt editor. On the other hand, the settings screen looks technical at first.
Best for: automatic ads inside long articles.
3. AdRotate
AdRotate focuses on banners that you manage yourself. You create ads, put them into groups and rotate them. Furthermore, you can schedule campaigns and see basic statistics. Therefore it works well when you sell ad space directly to local companies.
Best for: direct deals and banner rotation.
4. Site Kit by Google
Site Kit is the official Google plugin. It connects AdSense, Analytics and Search Console to your dashboard. As a result, the AdSense code is added automatically and you see earnings inside WordPress. However, it does not manage other ad networks.
Best for: beginners who only use AdSense.
5. WP QUADS
WP QUADS is a simple plugin for quick ad positions. You paste the code once and choose where it appears, for instance at the start, middle or end of a post. It is light and easy to learn.
Best for: small blogs that want a fast setup.
How to choose the right plugin
The best choice depends on how you sell ads.
- Do you only use AdSense? Then Site Kit or WP QUADS is enough.
- Do you run several networks? In that case, choose Advanced Ads or Ad Inserter.
- Do you sell banners yourself? Then AdRotate fits best.
Install only one of these plugins. Otherwise two tools may insert ads into the same place.
Tips for ads on WordPress
- First, pick a fast theme. See our list of the best WordPress themes for ads.
- Next, use popular sizes from our guide to the best desktop ad sizes.
- Then keep the number of ads reasonable, so pages stay pleasant to read.
- After that, clear the cache whenever you change ad settings.
- Finally, test positions for a few weeks and compare the revenue.
New to AdSense? Then start with our AdSense application tutorial.
Conclusion
Good ad plugins for WordPress make monetization simple. Advanced Ads and Ad Inserter offer the most control. AdRotate is ideal for direct sales, while Site Kit and WP QUADS are perfect for an easy start. Choose one, set up a few positions and measure the results. Features change with new versions, so check the plugin page before you install.
