PublisherRevenue Guide

The business behind
independent publishing.

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Research / Source register

Follow the evidence.

The original documents behind this edition. Platform documentation stays attributed to the platform; illustrative numbers stay separate from measured results.

  1. Standard Advertising Services Terms & Conditions – New Terms as of May 2026

    Primary source
    Primary source · Source published 20 May 2026 · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Sponsor pipeline capacity: stage demand without pretending it is a forecast; Sponsor renewal review: decide before the campaign disappears into the archive; Price sponsor exclusivity from the opportunity it removes; Write a sponsor makegood policy before delivery misses.

  2. The Invoice object

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Publisher invoice reconciliation: connect the order, credit, payment, and bank record; Annual subscription cash reserve: plan for the service still owed.

  3. The Subscription object

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Annual subscription cash reserve: plan for the service still owed; Cancellation feedback design: learn without obstructing the exit; Plan a subscription price change by cohort; Build a renewal cohort ledger that explains retention; Operate failed-payment recovery without calling it voluntary churn.

  4. Welcome emails

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Subscriber onboarding sequence: turn access into a first useful outcome.

  5. Welcome pages

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Subscriber onboarding sequence: turn access into a first useful outcome.

  6. Plan user research for your service

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Reader offer experiment: run a small test without overclaiming the result.

  7. What is Copyright?

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Content licensing rights inventory: know what can actually be offered.

  8. License your work

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Content licensing rights inventory: know what can actually be offered.

  9. FAR 37.602: Performance work statement

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Consulting scope capacity: price the work the team can actually deliver.

  10. NIH Grants Policy Statement 7.2: The Cost Principles

    Primary source
    Primary source · Source updated March 2026 · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Grant-funded project budget: connect restricted work, allocation, and cash.

  11. NIH Grants Policy Statement 8.3.1: Financial Management System Standards

    Primary source
    Primary source · Source updated March 2026 · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Grant-funded project budget: connect restricted work, allocation, and cash.

  12. setConfig

    Prebid documentation
    Prebid documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Draw the ad-auction timeout before changing it.

  13. Timeouts

    Prebid documentation
    Prebid documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Draw the ad-auction timeout before changing it.

  14. Declare refresh inventory

    Google Ad Manager documentation
    Google Ad Manager documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Write an ad-refresh policy readers and buyers can understand.

  15. OpenRTB signaling ad refreshes

    IAB Tech Lab documentation
    IAB Tech Lab documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Write an ad-refresh policy readers and buyers can understand.

  16. Unified pricing rules

    Google Ad Manager documentation
    Google Ad Manager documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Test an ad price floor without mistaking CPM for yield.

  17. Create a manual experiment

    Google Ad Manager documentation
    Google Ad Manager documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Test an ad price floor without mistaking CPM for yield.

  18. How do we manage consent in practice?

    UK regulator guidance
    UK regulator guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Build a consent-state test matrix before release.

  19. Guidelines 2/2023 on the technical scope of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive

    EU regulator guidance
    EU regulator guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Build a consent-state test matrix before release.

  20. Contracts and data sharing

    UK regulator guidance
    UK regulator guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Prepare a publisher vendor exit plan before notice is due.

  21. Exports

    Ghost documentation
    Ghost documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Prepare a publisher vendor exit plan before notice is due; Migrate a newsletter with an inventory, pilot, and rollback.

  22. Automatic backups

    Ghost documentation
    Ghost documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Prepare a publisher vendor exit plan before notice is due; Plan a publication backup-and-restore drill that proves recovery.

  23. Difference between estimated and finalized earnings

    Google AdSense documentation
    Google AdSense documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Close publisher revenue with an evidence-first checklist.

  24. Programmatic Direct payments and reports

    Google Ad Manager documentation
    Google Ad Manager documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Close publisher revenue with an evidence-first checklist.

  25. About bot activity

    Mailchimp documentation
    Mailchimp documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Measure newsletter click quality beyond the click count.

  26. Safe Links in Microsoft Defender for Office 365

    Microsoft documentation
    Microsoft documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Measure newsletter click quality beyond the click count.

  27. Post analytics

    Ghost documentation
    Ghost documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Measure newsletter click quality beyond the click count.

  28. URL builders: collect campaign data with custom URLs

    Google Analytics documentation
    Google Analytics documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Set sponsor attribution boundaries before a campaign starts.

  29. Attribution overview

    Google Analytics documentation
    Google Analytics documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Set sponsor attribution boundaries before a campaign starts.

  30. About Conversion Lift

    Google Ads documentation
    Google Ads documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Set sponsor attribution boundaries before a campaign starts.

  31. Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content

    Google Search documentation
    Google Search documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Run an evergreen content review queue by reader risk; Build a library around decisions, not a keyword quota..

  32. The lastmod tag in sitemaps

    Google Search documentation
    Google Search documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Run an evergreen content review queue by reader risk.

  33. Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems

    NIST guidance
    NIST guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Plan a publication backup-and-restore drill that proves recovery.

  34. #StopRansomware Guide

    CISA guidance
    CISA guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Plan a publication backup-and-restore drill that proves recovery.

  35. Create paid tiers

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Design paid tiers from benefit cost and delivery capacity.

  36. Update a subscription

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Plan a subscription price change by cohort.

  37. Automation use cases

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Operate failed-payment recovery without calling it voluntary churn.

  38. Add or remove group members

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Design an institutional subscription around buyer, seats, and service.

  39. Recurring pricing models

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Design an institutional subscription around buyer, seats, and service.

  40. Import members

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Migrate a newsletter with an inventory, pilot, and rollback.

  41. Member management

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Migrate a newsletter with an inventory, pilot, and rollback.

  42. Accepting payments for pre-orders

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Run a digital-product presale with a delivery gate.

  43. Refunds

    Primary source
    Primary source · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Run a digital-product presale with a delivery gate.

  44. Making Events Accessible

    Primary source
    Primary source · Source updated 31 August 2022 · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Build an event contribution budget before opening seats.

  45. Ads.txt 1.1 specification

    IAB Tech Lab specification
    IAB Tech Lab specification · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Trace one authorized sale from your domain to the final bid request.

  46. Sellers.json specification

    IAB Tech Lab specification
    IAB Tech Lab specification · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Trace one authorized sale from your domain to the final bid request.

  47. OpenRTB SupplyChain object

    IAB Tech Lab specification
    IAB Tech Lab specification · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Trace one authorized sale from your domain to the final bid request.

  48. Investigate report discrepancies

    Google Ad Manager documentation
    Google Ad Manager documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Reconcile two ad reports on the same clock and denominator.

  49. Counting impressions and clicks

    Google Ad Manager documentation
    Google Ad Manager documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Reconcile two ad reports on the same clock and denominator.

  50. Viewable Ad Impression Measurement Guidelines, version 2.0

    MRC measurement guideline
    MRC measurement guideline · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Keep viewability, attention signals, and outcomes in separate columns; Report the sponsor promise, delivery, response, and limits separately.

  51. IAB and MRC Attention Measurement Guidelines, version 1.0

    IAB and MRC measurement guideline
    IAB and MRC measurement guideline · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Keep viewability, attention signals, and outcomes in separate columns.

  52. Optimize Cumulative Layout Shift

    Google web.dev documentation
    Google web.dev documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Give every ad slot a layout and performance budget.

  53. Effectively loading ads without impacting page speed

    Google web.dev documentation
    Google web.dev documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Give every ad slot a layout and performance budget.

  54. Invalid traffic

    Google AdSense policy documentation
    Google AdSense policy documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Pause suspicious traffic without destroying the evidence.

  55. Account suspended for invalid traffic or policy reasons

    Google AdSense policy documentation
    Google AdSense policy documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Pause suspicious traffic without destroying the evidence.

  56. Violation review request troubleshooter

    Google AdSense support documentation
    Google AdSense support documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Pause suspicious traffic without destroying the evidence.

  57. Email sender guidelines

    Gmail sender documentation
    Gmail sender documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make the newsletter sender identifiable before chasing inbox rates; Qualify the sponsor before finding the contact; Run a sponsor campaign from written promise to collected cash.

  58. Email sender guidelines FAQ

    Gmail sender documentation
    Gmail sender documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make the newsletter sender identifiable before chasing inbox rates.

  59. Sender requirements and recommendations

    Yahoo Sender Hub documentation
    Yahoo Sender Hub documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make the newsletter sender identifiable before chasing inbox rates.

  60. RFC 8058: Signaling One-Click Functionality for List Email Headers

    IETF standard
    IETF standard · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make the newsletter sender identifiable before chasing inbox rates.

  61. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2

    W3C recommendation
    W3C recommendation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Test the paid-publication journey from offer to accessible issue.

  62. Forms Tutorial: Labeling Controls

    W3C WAI tutorial
    W3C WAI tutorial · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Test the paid-publication journey from offer to accessible issue.

  63. All WCAG 2.2 Techniques: PDF techniques

    W3C techniques
    W3C techniques · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Test the paid-publication journey from offer to accessible issue.

  64. Amazon Associates Program Policies

    Program-owner terms
    Program-owner terms · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Turn affiliate link decay into an editorial work queue.

  65. FTC Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking

    US regulator guidance
    US regulator guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Turn affiliate link decay into an editorial work queue; Affiliate revenue is a reconciliation business; The label belongs with the advertisement.; Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place.; Protect the editorial decision—and have a way to stop an ad..

  66. AP Statement of News Values and Principles

    Publisher standards
    Publisher standards · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make every material correction visible, dated, and retriggered.

  67. Crossmark: registering updates

    Crossref documentation
    Crossref documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make every material correction visible, dated, and retriggered.

  68. Influence your byline dates in Google Search

    Google Search documentation
    Google Search documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Make every material correction visible, dated, and retriggered.

  69. Standard Terms and Conditions for Internet Advertising for Media Buys One Year or Less, version 3.0

    IAB and 4A's standard terms
    IAB and 4A's standard terms · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Report the sponsor promise, delivery, response, and limits separately; Count the rung, name the denominator; Add programmatic demand one layer at a time; Build the small measurement layer; buy the hard detection; Build a media kit from evidence and a rate card from costs; Run a sponsor campaign from written promise to collected cash.

  70. Desktop Display Impression Measurement Guidelines, version 1.1

    MRC measurement guideline
    MRC measurement guideline · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 19 September 2026

    Used in: Report the sponsor promise, delivery, response, and limits separately.

  71. Hell Gate 2025 Annual Report

    Publisher annual report
    Publisher annual report · Source published 29 September 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Hell Gate separates subscription momentum from money in the bank.

  72. We Just Got Our Millionth Dollar From Subscribers

    Publisher milestone
    Publisher milestone · Source published 9 April 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Hell Gate separates subscription momentum from money in the bank.

  73. Aftermath Vs 2025

    Publisher subscriber goals; live page updated after original publication
    Publisher subscriber goals; live page updated after original publication · Source published 7 April 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Aftermath ties subscriber goals to operating capacity.

  74. All The Things We've Learned After A Year Of Running Our Own Website

    Publisher first-year retrospective
    Publisher first-year retrospective · Source published 11 November 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Aftermath ties subscriber goals to operating capacity.

  75. The Cable's campaign succeeds: more than 50% increase in membership income and a £40k bonus

    Publisher campaign outcome
    Publisher campaign outcome · Source published 29 August 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Bristol Cable used a grant match to grow member income.

  76. Love local news as much as we do? We're seeking Patrons

    Publisher campaign appeal
    Publisher campaign appeal · Source published 12 April 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Bristol Cable used a grant match to grow member income.

  77. Transparency

    Publisher funding and governance disclosure
    Publisher funding and governance disclosure · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Bristol Cable used a grant match to grow member income.

  78. Ghost 6.0

    Ghost product release
    Ghost product release · Source published 4 August 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Ghost 6.0 made federation a distribution question..

  79. Meet the beehiiv Ad Network

    beehiiv product update
    beehiiv product update · Source published 14 September 2023 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: beehiiv put ad-inventory workflow into the product..

  80. Introducing the beehiiv Ad Network

    beehiiv product update
    beehiiv product update · Source published 19 September 2022 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: beehiiv put ad-inventory workflow into the product..

  81. Now live for all: Substack Notes

    Substack product announcement
    Substack product announcement · Source published 11 April 2023 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Substack Notes made discovery work visible..

  82. Guardian Annual Report 2024/25

    Publisher annual report
    Publisher annual report · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Guardian's open-access reader revenue has a cost line.

  83. The Guardian Media Group publishes 2024/25 annual report

    Publisher financial disclosure
    Publisher financial disclosure · Source published 11 September 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Guardian's open-access reader revenue has a cost line.

  84. Guardian US taps Georgia Warren as editorial director, membership and supporter strategy

    Publisher announcement
    Publisher announcement · Source published 18 July 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Guardian's open-access reader revenue has a cost line.

  85. Defector Annual Report, September 2024 – August 2025

    Publisher annual report
    Publisher annual report · Source published 19 November 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Defector's subscription core and its modest second lines.

  86. Defector Annual Report, September 2023 – August 2024

    Publisher annual report
    Publisher annual report · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Defector's subscription core and its modest second lines.

  87. Five Years Of Defector

    Publisher retrospective
    Publisher retrospective · Source published 10 September 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Defector's subscription core and its modest second lines.

  88. What We Learned In Our First Year of 404 Media

    Publisher retrospective
    Publisher retrospective · Source published 22 August 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: 404 Media built a direct reader relationship before claiming scale.

  89. We Need Your Email Address

    Publisher product explanation
    Publisher product explanation · Source published 26 January 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: 404 Media built a direct reader relationship before claiming scale.

  90. 404 Media at Two Years: How We've Grown, and What's Next

    Publisher retrospective
    Publisher retrospective · Source published 22 August 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: 404 Media built a direct reader relationship before claiming scale.

  91. 2024 Annual Report

    Publisher annual report
    Publisher annual report · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Texas Tribune's 2024 mix put grants, donors and events on different lines.

  92. Documents

    Publisher financial document index
    Publisher financial document index · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Texas Tribune's 2024 mix put grants, donors and events on different lines.

  93. Announcing a bold vision for local news in Texas

    Publisher announcement
    Publisher announcement · Source published 5 September 2024 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: The Texas Tribune's 2024 mix put grants, donors and events on different lines.

  94. Next steps for Privacy Sandbox and tracking protections in Chrome

    Google Privacy Sandbox announcement
    Google Privacy Sandbox announcement · Source published 22 April 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Chrome kept cookie choice in its settings..

  95. Google users are less likely to click on links when an AI summary appears in the results

    Pew Research Center original analysis
    Pew Research Center original analysis · Source published 22 July 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: A search summary is not a traffic forecast..

  96. What Web Browsing Data Can Tell Us About Americans’ Use of AI

    Pew Research Center methodology report
    Pew Research Center methodology report · Source published 23 May 2025 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: A search summary is not a traffic forecast..

  97. Updates to how publishers monetize with AdSense

    Google AdSense announcement
    Google AdSense announcement · Source published 2 November 2023 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: When AdSense changed the unit, the dashboard needed new questions..

  98. AdSense revenue share

    Google AdSense Help
    Google AdSense Help · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: When AdSense changed the unit, the dashboard needed new questions..

  99. Two Years of Journey by Mediavine

    Mediavine announcement
    Mediavine announcement · Source published 7 August 2026 · Primary source checked · 16 September 2026

    Used in: Journey made Grow optional. The application still needed a fit check.; Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  100. Mail Privacy Protection & Privacy

    Platform documentation
    Platform documentation · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: A small newsletter, four sponsor slots; An open is a signal, not a reader.

  101. When will I receive payment?

    Affiliate-network documentation
    Affiliate-network documentation · Source published 19 June 2020 · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: A small newsletter, four sponsor slots; Gross revenue is only the first line.

  102. About line items

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: What remains after the network takes its share.

  103. Sponsorship line items

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: What remains after the network takes its share.

  104. 2026 INN Index archive

    Original survey analysis
    Original survey analysis · Source published 9 June 2026 · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: More revenue models. More work, too..

  105. 2026 Index Methods & Definitions

    Original survey methodology
    Original survey methodology · Source published 9 June 2026 · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: More revenue models. More work, too..

  106. 2024 Index: Revenue & Expenses

    Original survey analysis
    Original survey analysis · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: More revenue models. More work, too..

  107. Payment timelines for AdSense

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: More revenue models. More work, too.; Gross revenue is only the first line; Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing; From pageview to collected cash: the ad revenue ledger.

  108. Ad Network FAQ

    Vendor documentation
    Vendor documentation · Source updated 12 August 2026 · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: An open is a signal, not a reader.

  109. Reader Revenue Playbook

    Industry playbook
    Industry playbook · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Choose the model you can actually operate.

  110. How do we choose the engagement and revenue model for us?

    Field guide
    Field guide · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Choose the model you can actually operate.

  111. Who is eligible for Raptive?

    Vendor eligibility documentation
    Vendor eligibility documentation · Source updated 5 June 2026 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Choose the model you can actually operate; Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  112. Pricing & Fees

    Vendor pricing page
    Vendor pricing page · Publication date not stated · Referenced in the earlier research pass · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Gross revenue is only the first line.

  113. AdSense revenue share

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  114. What does it take to get approved by Mediavine?

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  115. Programs and the Publisher Path to Growth

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  116. Revenue Share

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  117. Getting Started with Raptive

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing; From pageview to collected cash: the ad revenue ledger.

  118. Getting Started: Ezoic’s Requirements

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  119. Ezoic Incubator

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  120. Ezoic Publisher Compliance and Quality Policies for Monetization

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  121. Ezoic Terms of Use

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 12 June 2026 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  122. Ezoic Payments

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  123. Propel Program

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  124. Website Monetization

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  125. Payment Terms and How You are Paid

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  126. Propel Payment

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  127. Journey Revenue Share

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 12 April 2024 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  128. Why does Journey pay NET65?

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 12 April 2024 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  129. Why Journey requires exclusivity

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 7 May 2024 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  130. Journey by Mediavine homepage — conflicting Grow requirement

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  131. What Journey Supports Directly

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 22 July 2026 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  132. Leaving Journey

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 21 August 2026 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  133. When am I getting paid?

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Compare ad partners by denominator, eligibility, and cash timing.

  134. Publisher revenue evidence map, September 2026

    User-supplied research
    Supplied research brief · Retained in the private archive · Independent verification pending · Imported 15 September 2026

    Used in: From pageview to collected cash: the ad revenue ledger; Build newsletter revenue around delivery, trust, and renewal; Affiliate revenue is a reconciliation business; The seven revenue families a publisher can actually operate; Choose what reader revenue is asking people to fund; Beyond ads: products, services, events, rights, support, and exit; Choose a revenue model with gates, pilots, and stop rules.

  135. Display ad networks research brief

    User-supplied research
    Supplied research brief · Retained in the private archive · Independent verification pending · Imported 15 September 2026

    Used in: From pageview to collected cash: the ad revenue ledger.

  136. How much does Substack cost?

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Source updated 16 December 2025 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Build newsletter revenue around delivery, trust, and renewal; Choose what reader revenue is asking people to fund.

  137. Are there any transaction fees?

    First-party product documentation
    First-party product documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Build newsletter revenue around delivery, trust, and renewal; Choose what reader revenue is asking people to fund.

  138. Research brief 01

    User-supplied research
    Supplied research brief · Retained in the private archive · Independent verification pending · Imported 15 September 2026

    Used in: Build newsletter revenue around delivery, trust, and renewal; Affiliate revenue is a reconciliation business.

  139. Full map of publisher monetization methods

    User-supplied research
    Supplied research brief · Retained in the private archive · Independent verification pending · Imported 15 September 2026

    Used in: Affiliate revenue is a reconciliation business; The seven revenue families a publisher can actually operate; Choose what reader revenue is asking people to fund; Beyond ads: products, services, events, rights, support, and exit; Choose a revenue model with gates, pilots, and stop rules.

  140. Mobile Viewable Impression Measurement Guidelines

    Measurement standard
    Measurement standard · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Count the rung, name the denominator; Build the small measurement layer; buy the hard detection.

  141. IAB/ABC International Spiders & Bots List

    Industry resource
    Industry resource · Publication date not stated · Cited by supplied research; independent recheck pending · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Count the rung, name the denominator; Build the small measurement layer; buy the hard detection.

  142. Introduction to Header Bidding

    Open-source project documentation
    Open-source project documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Add programmatic demand one layer at a time; Build the small measurement layer; buy the hard detection.

  143. Ads.txt — Authorized Digital Sellers

    Standards-body documentation
    Standards-body documentation · Source updated 14 September 2026 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Add programmatic demand one layer at a time.

  144. Web Vitals

    Platform documentation
    Platform documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Add programmatic demand one layer at a time; Build the small measurement layer; buy the hard detection.

  145. Direct advertiser acquisition research import

    Supplied research
    Supplied research brief · Retained in the private archive · Independent verification pending · Imported 15 September 2026

    Used in: Qualify the sponsor before finding the contact; Build a media kit from evidence and a rate card from costs; Run a sponsor campaign from written promise to collected cash.

  146. Native Advertising: A Guide for Businesses

    Regulator guidance
    Regulator guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Qualify the sponsor before finding the contact; Build a media kit from evidence and a rate card from costs; Run a sponsor campaign from written promise to collected cash; The label belongs with the advertisement.; Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place.; Protect the editorial decision—and have a way to stop an ad..

  147. Qualify your outbound links

    Platform documentation
    Platform documentation · Publication date not stated · Cited by supplied research; independent recheck pending · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Build a media kit from evidence and a rate card from costs.

  148. FTC: Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule Q&A

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: The label belongs with the advertisement.; Protect the editorial decision—and have a way to stop an ad..

  149. CAP Code: Recognition of marketing communications

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: The label belongs with the advertisement.; Protect the editorial decision—and have a way to stop an ad..

  150. Directive 2005/29/EC: Unfair Commercial Practices

    EU legislation
    EU legislation · Source published 11 May 2005 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: The label belongs with the advertisement..

  151. FTC: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place..

  152. CPPA: 2026 CCPA regulation updates

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place..

  153. CalPrivacy: Seven things to know before the 2026 updates

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place..

  154. ICO: Guidance on storage and access technologies

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Source updated 29 April 2026 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place.; Map the data before you choose the vendor..

  155. EDPB Guidelines 2/2023: Technical scope of Article 5(3)

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Source published 16 October 2024 · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Privacy rules start with the reader, the data, and the place.; Map the data before you choose the vendor..

  156. ICO: How do the rules apply to online advertising?

    Primary guidance
    Primary guidance · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Map the data before you choose the vendor..

  157. Google Search Central: AI features and your website

    First-party search documentation
    First-party search documentation · Publication date not stated · Primary source checked · 15 September 2026

    Used in: Build a library around decisions, not a keyword quota.; Distribution is a practice. Freshness is a responsibility..

A clearer view of the business

The Revenue Letter.

One useful model. One question worth asking.
A considered note for independent publishers.