Images are at the heart of how people consume content online. They grab attention faster than text and tell a story in seconds. That’s why advertisers developed in-image ads. Ads are placed directly on or around the images your readers are already looking at.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what In-Image Ad Networks are, how they work, and why they can be one of the most effective and least intrusive ways to earn money from your site in 2025.
We reviewed dozens of platforms but only found eight truly focused on in-image ads. These eight networks still specialize in this format, offer reliable technology, and have a record of paying publishers. Rather than listing every company that sometimes serves image ads, we focused only on networks that make image-based placements a core part of their product.
You’ll get full profiles of each network, a clear comparison table, factors to check before you choose, and a testing guide. So without further ado, let’s get started.
What Are In-Image Ad Networks?
An in-image ad network places ads over, inside, or next to the pictures on your web pages.
The ad may appear as a small overlay at the bottom of an image, as a hover unit that shows when someone moves their mouse over an image, or as a clickable tag inside a photo.
Why it works: People notice images more than plain text. When ads are shown close to images, they tend to be seen more often. That means higher viewability and often better earnings.
Common pay models: CPM (paid per thousand views) or CPC (paid per click). Some networks use both.
Who uses them: Publishers, bloggers, news sites, magazines, e-commerce sites, and photographers with lots of image content.
Why In-Image Ads Can Boost Your Revenue?
In-image ads turn the pictures you already use into an extra income stream. Because these ads appear right on or next to images — the part of a page people naturally focus on — they’re more visible, more engaging, and less annoying than traditional banners. This means you can earn more money from the same space without cluttering your site or hurting the reader experience.
- Better Viewability: Ads on or near images are seen more often than small banners that users ignore.
- Lower Banner Blindness: Users get used to ignoring typical banner ads. In-image ads blend into content more naturally and escape that pattern.
- Higher Engagement Potential: Interactive image units (video, overlays, clickable tags) invite action.
- Non-intrusive Options: Many in-image formats stay out of the content flow until the user acts (hover or click), which keeps readers happy.
- Extra Monetization: Images are often unused space — in-image ads let you make money from that space without adding more page clutter.
How In-Image Ad Networks Work? (Step-by-Step)
In-image ad networks act as the middleman between your website’s images and advertisers who want to place ads on them. The process is simple: you sign up, add a small code snippet to your site, and the network does the rest — scanning your images, matching them with relevant ads, and displaying them as subtle overlays or tags. You then earn money on views or clicks according to the network’s payment model.
- Sign up And Add Code: You join a network and place a short JavaScript snippet on your site.
- Network Scans Images: The network uses image recognition and page context to decide which images can host ads.
- Ads Are Matched: Advertisers bid or are chosen to appear on images that match their targets. This matching can be contextual (based on article topic) or behavioral (based on user signals).
- Ads Appear: Ads display as overlays, hover units, or tags. They may show instantly or on interaction.
- You Earn: You get paid by impressions (CPM) or clicks (CPC), depending on the network. Payouts follow the network’s payment schedule.
Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing an In-Image Ad Network
Before you pick a network, check these important points:
- Traffic Location (Geography): Networks pay more for traffic from high-CPM countries (for example, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia).
- Minimum Traffic Requirements: Some networks accept small publishers. Others need thousands or hundreds of thousands of pageviews to join.
- Payment Threshold and Methods: Check how much you must earn before they pay and which methods they use (PayPal, bank transfer, crypto).
- Ad Formats Available: Overlay, hover, in-screen, video in images, etc. More formats give you more chances to earn.
- Contextual Relevance & Image Recognition: Good networks use AI or computer vision to match ads to images for higher click rates and better user experience.
- Brand Safety & Content Rules: Ensure the network doesn’t show ads that damage your site’s reputation.
- Dashboard and Reporting: You need clear reports (impressions, clicks, revenue) to optimize performance.
- Support & Account Management: New publishers often benefit from networks that offer human help.
How to Test Networks to Find the Best ROI (Simple Plan)
- Start Small: Run a 7–14 day test in two networks on the same site pages.
- Keep Creative and Placement The Same: Use the same images and settings so you can compare fairly.
- Track Key KPIs: CTR (click-through rate), viewability, interaction rate, cost per conversion (if you track conversions), and eCPM (revenue per 1,000 pageviews).
- Measure User Experience: Watch bounce rate and session length to make sure ads don’t push readers away.
- Scale the Winner: Increase budget and coverage for the network that gives the best revenue without hurting experience.
- Use a Private Marketplace (PMP) or Direct Deals if you need better inventory and brand safety (for programmatic buys).
The 8 Best In-Image Ad Networks:
Below are the eight networks we selected. Let’s dive in!
- GumGum
- Imonomy
- MaxValue.Media
- Bitmedia
- Inuvo (IntentKey)
- AdMedia
- Vibrant Media
- Affinity
1) GumGum
GumGum is one of the longest-standing companies focused on in-image advertising. Its platform uses computer vision and natural language tools to understand images and place relevant ads. Many well-known publishers and brands use GumGum for image-based ad placements and brand-safe campaigns.
Features
- Computer vision and natural language processing to match ads to images.
- Multiple in-image formats: overlays, expandable canvases, and high-impact image units.
- Strong brand safety controls to avoid unsafe content.
- Reporting dashboard and support from account teams.
Reviews (general feedback)
Publishers praise GumGum for accurate contextual targeting and high viewability. Advertisers like the brand safety features. Some smaller publishers find the minimum traffic requirements and payout thresholds tougher to meet.
Pricing Overview
- Payment model: Primarily CPM for publishers.
- Payout terms: Network policy varies; some arrangements may use Net-30 or Net-60 schedules and a minimum payout threshold. Always confirm the exact terms with GumGum before joining.
Pros
- Excellent contextual relevance (ads match image meaning).
- Good for premium brand advertisers.
- Strong tools for image analysis and safety.
Cons
- May prefer larger publishers with more traffic.
- Payout timing and thresholds can be stricter than some smaller networks.
Best For
- Publishers with lots of editorial images: news sites, magazines, lifestyle blogs.
- Advertisers seeking brand-safe, context-matched image ads.
GumGum is a top choice if you want professional image targeting and brand safety. It tends to be stronger for mid-size to large publishers.
2) Imonomy
Imonomy is a platform built to monetize images and image views at scale. It matches ads to images using contextual and semantic analysis to increase relevance and revenue per impression.
Features
- Focus on monetizing large image inventories.
- Real-time bidding (RTB) and header bidding connections for better payouts.
- In-image, in-screen, and sometimes video overlays.
- Tools to optimize viewability and placement.
Reviews
Publishers report that Imonomy adds incremental revenue without hurting site design. The platform is praised for clean ad placement and solid support. Some details, like minimum payout thresholds, are handled via sales and may not be public.
Pricing Overview
- Payment model: Mostly CPM.
- Publisher terms: Vary; many publishers must contact Imonomy for exact payout details.
Pros
- Great for sites with many images.
- Good optimization for viewable placements.
- Can run alongside existing display ads to boost income.
Cons
- Less transparent public pricing — you may need to negotiate.
- Smaller sites with few images will earn less.
Best For
- Image-heavy publishers such as travel blogs, recipe sites, galleries, and fashion sites.
If your site has hundreds or thousands of images, Imonomy can turn that image inventory into steady revenue with clean, contextual ads.
3) MaxValue.Media
MaxValue.Media is a publisher-focused ad network that offers multiple ad formats, including in-image style overlays, sticky banners, native ads, and video. They emphasize fast setup and payment flexibility.
Features
- Several ad formats: image overlays, sticky banners, video, native.
- User dashboard with real-time reporting.
- Flexible payout options include PayPal, wire transfers, and sometimes crypto.
- Support for publishers with moderate traffic volumes.
Reviews
Many publishers like the fast approvals and lower minimum payout. Reports show MaxValue can increase revenue for sites with good traffic from high-CPM countries.
Pricing Overview
- Payment model: CPM for most placements; some native/video may vary.
- Minimum payout: Often modest (example: around $25), but confirm current terms with the network.
- Payment frequency: Some publishers report Net-15 or fast payouts.
Pros
- Modest payout thresholds — accessible to more publishers.
- Wide range of ad formats to test.
- Good for publishers who want quick onboarding.
Cons
- Best rates require traffic from high-CPM geographies (USA, UK, Canada).
- Some variability in reported earnings means you should monitor performance closely.
Best For
- Small to medium publishers who want flexible ad options and faster payouts.
- Sites with decent traffic from Western countries.
MaxValue is a practical option for publishers who want to start earning quickly and test multiple ad formats without waiting for high traffic volumes.
4) Bitmedia
Bitmedia is a network that began with a strong focus on crypto and Web3 advertisers. It supports image overlays and other rich media formats and accepts cryptocurrency as a payment option. This makes it useful for publishers targeting crypto audiences or who want flexible payment choices.
Features
- Supports image overlays, HTML5 rich media, and sticky banners.
- Advertisers can run self-serve campaigns.
- Accepts crypto payments and fiat.
- Targeting options include geography, device, and keywords.
Reviews (general feedback)
Publishers in the crypto niche report solid performance and the benefit of receiving crypto payments. For broader audiences, results vary — good when traffic matches advertiser demand.
Pricing Overview
- Payment model: CPM and CPC.
- Payouts: Some publishers use smaller payout thresholds thanks to crypto options; details vary by account.
Pros
- Good for crypto and tech niches.
- Flexible payment methods (crypto acceptance).
- Multiple ad formats.
Cons
- Not ideal for sites with general audiences if advertisers are crypto-specific.
- Earnings may be volatile if advertiser demand in the crypto niche falls.
Best For
- Publishers that attract crypto, blockchain, or Web3 readers.
- Publishers want crypto payment options or niche targeting.
Bitmedia is a good match when your audience aligns with crypto advertisers. If your readers are broader, test performance before committing.
5) Inuvo (IntentKey)
Inuvo uses an AI platform called IntentKey™ to place ads based on the likely intent of a user. The idea is to target ads based on why someone is visiting, not only by cookies or past behavior. This helps in a world moving toward fewer third-party cookies.
Features
- AI audience modeling for cookie-free targeting.
- In-image overlays and other native placements.
- Self-serve options and managed campaigns.
- Reporting focused on leads and conversions in addition to clicks.
Reviews
Advertisers report a lift in conversions when using intent-based targeting. Publishers say it can monetize pages effectively if the content and traffic volume are strong.
Pricing Overview
- Payment models: CPM / CPC depending on campaign.
- Payouts and thresholds: Details often require talking to Inuvo’s team.
Pros
- Works better in cookie-less environments.
- Focus on conversion metrics, not just impressions.
Cons
- Less transparent public data for small publishers; accounts often need custom terms.
- May favor higher-scale publishers and campaigns.
Best For
- Publishers and advertisers who want privacy-friendly targeting and conversion focus.
Sites with mid-to-high traffic that need precise ad matching.
Inuvos’ AI approach is a forward-looking option as the ad industry shifts to privacy-safe targeting methods. It’s worth testing if you want better conversion performance.
6) AdMedia
AdMedia is a long-running ad network that offers many monetization options, including in-image like overlays. They focus on contextual advertising and have worked with many established brand advertisers.
Features
- Overlay ads, contextual banners, native placements, and video.
- Brand safety and contextual targeting.
- Publisher dashboard and campaign optimization support.
Reviews (general feedback)
Publishers like the variety of ad types AdMedia offers. It’s often used as part of a blended monetization strategy (not only in-image). Results depend heavily on traffic quality.
Pricing Overview
- Payment models: CPM, CPC, and CPV for certain formats.
- Payout terms: Vary by publisher agreement.
Pros
- A wide range of ad options lets you test what works.
- Good brand safety controls and publisher tools.
Cons
- Blended networks like this sometimes pay less per image impression than networks specializing in in-image ads.
- Earnings depend on traffic quality and geos.
Best For
- Publishers that want one partner for multiple ad formats.
- Sites that want to mix image overlays with other ads for steady revenue.
AdMedia is a reliable, well-known network for publishers needing flexibility. Use it alongside specialized image networks to compare results.
7) Vibrant Media
Vibrant Media focuses on placing ads inside images and on image-rich pages. It uses contextual targeting to keep ads relevant and non-intrusive. They aim to monetize image areas that often go unused.
Features
- Bottom overlays and in-image units that appear in image galleries or article images.
- Contextual and semantic matching.
- Brand safety tools to avoid inappropriate placements.
Reviews (general feedback)
Publishers say Vibrant helps monetize image content that previously earned nothing. Its viewability and relevance are commonly praised.
Pricing Overview
- Payment model: Mostly CPM for overlays and image units.
- Payouts: Terms are often negotiated with publishers.
Pros
- Good at turning image inventory into revenue.
- Non-intrusive units that keep the user experience intact.
Cons
- Not as clear on public pricing — you may need to discuss terms.
- Smaller sites will make less.
Best For
- Photo galleries, e-commerce product galleries, and media sites with lots of static images.
If your pages have many images that are not monetized, Vibrant Media can help you unlock new income without hurting readers’ experience.
8) Affinity
Affinity offers in-image ad formats as part of a broader ad tech suite. They focus on placing programmatic image overlays that look natural on the page and are designed to respect user experience.
Features
- In-image overlays and programmatic demand connections.
- Simple dashboards and publisher account support.
- Options for location and device targeting.
Reviews (general feedback)
Many publishers pick Affinity when they want a simple setup and decent payouts. For smaller publishers, Affinity can be easier to join than some premium players.
Pricing Overview
- Payment models: CPM and CPC options depending on format and region.
- Minimum payout: Often moderate (confirm with Affinity for current terms).
Pros
- Good for small and medium publishers.
- Low friction to start and test.
Cons
- May not reach the highest CPMs for premium brand campaigns.
- Less public detail on exact payouts.
Best For
- Small to mid-sized sites that want in-image revenue with minimal setup.
- Publishers are testing image monetization for the first time.
Affinity is a pragmatic choice for publishers who want to dip their toes into image monetization with low barriers to entry.
Comparison Table
Note: Specific payout numbers and eCPMs vary by country, season, ad format, and advertiser demand. The table below summarizes formats, common payment models, and ideal use cases.
| Network | Main Image Formats | Payment Model (common) | Minimum Payout (typical) | Best Use Case |
| GumGum | Overlays, canvas, expandable image units | CPM | Medium (confirm with GumGum) | Premium publishers, brand campaigns |
| Imonomy | In-image, in-screen, video overlays | CPM | Contact sales | Image-heavy sites (galleries, travel) |
| MaxValue.Media | Image overlays, sticky, native, video | CPM (some formats vary) | Low (example: ~$25) | Small-mid publishers, fast payouts |
| Bitmedia | Image overlays, HTML5, sticky | CPM / CPC | Low (crypto options) | Crypto niche publishers |
| Inuvo | In-image overlays via AI IntentKey | CPM / CPC | Contact sales | Privacy-aware targeting, conversion focus |
| AdMedia | Overlays, contextual banners, native | CPM / CPC / CPV | Varies | Publishers want many ad types |
| Vibrant Media | Bottom overlays, in-image units | CPM | Varies | Photo galleries, e-commerce images |
| Affinity | In-image overlays, programmatic demand | CPM / CPC | Modest (confirm) | Small/mid publishers testing image ads |
How to Choose the Right Network — Practical Checklist
- Match the Format to Your Content: If you have many images, choose Imonomy or Vibrant. For brand campaigns, GumGum is strong.
- Check Traffic Geography: If most of your visitors are in high-paying countries, networks will pay more. If not, expect lower rates.
- Ask About Minimums and Payment Speed: Start with networks that pay smaller amounts quickly if you’re new.
- Test Multiple Networks: Run short tests and compare eCPM and user metrics.
- Check Image Recognition & Targeting: Better matching means better CTR and earnings.
- Protect Your Site: Ensure the network supports brand safety filters and easy ad blocking for pages you want to keep clean.
- Measure User Impact: Monitor bounce rates and session time during tests to make sure ads do not drive readers away.
- Get Written Terms: Clarify payout method, schedule, and any traffic or content restrictions in writing.
Best Practices to Maximize Revenue with In-Image Ads
Want to squeeze the most profit out of every image on your site? Once your in-image ads are running, the way you place, design, and manage them can make or break your earnings. Below are some simple but powerful best practices any publisher can follow to boost revenue without hurting user experience.
- Place Ads on Pages With High Image Viewership: High image exposure leads to more impressions and better earnings.
- Keep User Experience First: Avoid forcing large overlays that block content; prefer hover or small bottom overlays with easy close buttons.
- Use Complementary Ad Partners: Pair an in-image network with your regular ad stack (display, native) and measure incremental revenue.
- A/B Test Ad Formats: Try different overlay sizes, triggers (hover vs. automatic), and creatives to see which performs best.
- Optimize For Mobile: Make sure overlays are mobile-friendly; many users browse on phones and tap instead of hovering.
- Monitor Viewability & Engagement: High viewability and interaction are the drivers of revenue for image ads.
- Keep Images Fast and Optimized: Large images slow pages and can hurt viewability. Use lazy loading and optimized formats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Are in-image ads annoying to users?
A: They can be, if poorly implemented. The best formats are non-intrusive — they appear on hover or as small overlays and have clear close buttons. Good networks focus on relevancy and user choice.
Q: Which payment model is better — CPM or CPC?
A: Both can work. CPM gives a stable income based on views. CPC pays only when people click, but it can be higher per action. Many publishers use a mix to balance steady revenue and performance.
Q: Do I need lots of traffic to use an in-image ad network?
A: Not always. Some networks accept small publishers. But more traffic — especially from high-paying countries — increases revenue potential.
Q: Will adding in-image ads slow down my site?
A: It might if the network’s script is heavy. Choose networks that use optimized scripts, lazy load ad units, and let you control which pages show overlays.
Q: What are the best image types for in-image ads?
A: Large, high-quality images above the fold (visible without scrolling) usually perform best. Images with clear subject matter also help networks match relevant ads.
Q: How do I measure success?
A: Track eCPM (earnings per 1,000 views), CTR, viewability rate, and user engagement metrics like session duration and bounce rate.
Q: Can I run multiple in-image ad networks at once?
A: Yes, but be careful. Overlapping scripts can slow your site and create conflicts. Use header bidding or coordinate placements to avoid competition on the same image slot.
Q: Will my ad revenue be steady year-round?
A: Ad revenue often varies by season and advertiser demand. Some months pay better (holiday seasons, big shopping events).
Conclusion
In-image ad networks let you earn from a valuable part of your pages: images. Because images already draw attention, placing well-matched ads on or around them is a smart way to boost revenue without ruining the reader’s experience.
We reviewed dozens of platforms and found eight that still focus on image monetization in a meaningful way. The above-mentioned in-image ad networks give publishers solid choices depending on site size, audience location, and content type.
Start by testing one or two networks. Use the checklist and testing plan in this article. Measure eCPM, watch user behavior, and scale what works. If you take small steps and focus on user experience, in-image advertising can become a reliable part of your monetization strategy in 2025.