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Okay, so you know those ads that pop up when you're watching a YouTube video, scrolling through a blog, or playing a game online? Most people just ignore them, click the little “X,” or keep scrolling. But here’s the wild part—they still make money. Even when nobody clicks.
It sounds weird at first, but once you understand how online ads actually work behind the scenes, it makes total sense. The internet runs on ads. And businesses, websites, and ad networks all play a part in turning those ads into real cash.
Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense, without boring charts or complicated words.
The Real Reason You Keep Seeing Ads Everywhere
Ads are how websites stay free. Instead of charging people to read the news or watch videos, sites show ads and get paid for it. That money usually comes from companies that want their brand or product in front of the right people—aka, you.
But it’s not as simple as throwing up a random ad and hoping for the best. Companies use display ad networks to place their ads on websites where people are likely to notice them. These networks work like a super smart middleman. They connect advertisers (the ones who pay for the ad) with publishers (the ones who own the site showing the ad).
If you want to see how this works in real life, display ad networks like Galaksion are a great example. They help advertisers get their message out and help website owners earn money from their content—all in one place.
No Click? No Problem. You Can Still Get Paid.
You’d think that the only way websites make money from ads is if someone actually clicks on them. That’s true for CPC (cost-per-click) ads. But that’s just one type.
There’s another model called CPM, which stands for cost-per-thousand impressions. “Impressions” just means how many times the ad is seen. Not clicked—just seen. So even if someone scrolls past the ad, it still counts.
That means if a site gets a lot of traffic, it can earn money just by showing ads to people. Even if those people don’t do anything. It’s kind of genius.
Let’s say a website gets 100,000 views a month and earns $5 per 1,000 impressions. That adds up to $500 a month just from people seeing ads. No clicks required.
What’s in It for the Advertiser?
You might be thinking, “Why would anyone pay for ads if people don’t click them?” Good question.
Even if someone doesn’t click an ad, they still see it. That matters a lot for building brand awareness. Think about the last time you saw the same logo or brand name a few times in a row. It sticks in your head without you even realizing it.
Advertisers also track way more than just clicks. They look at how many people saw the ad, how long they stayed on the page, if they visited later, or if they searched for the product afterward. A lot of the impact of advertising happens quietly, over time.
Plus, with retargeting, someone might ignore an ad the first time but click the second or third time they see it. Ad networks use cookies and smart tech to follow where users go online and show them ads that match what they’re interested in.
The Role of Targeting: Ads That Actually Matter
Ever noticed how ads seem to know what you’ve been looking at? Like you check out new shoes once, and then suddenly every site you visit is showing you shoe ads?
That’s not magic. That’s targeting.
Display ad networks collect data (nothing super personal—mostly browsing behavior) to figure out what kinds of ads will work best for each person. So instead of everyone seeing the same boring ad, each person sees ads based on what they’re into.
This makes the ads more likely to actually work. Advertisers don’t want to waste money showing ads to people who don’t care. And website owners want to show ads that their audience might actually pay attention to.
Who Makes the Money?
There are a few main players that all get a slice of the pie:
- Advertisers spend money to promote their brand, product, or service.
- Display ad networks make money by connecting advertisers with websites and charging for the ad placements.
- Publishers (website or app owners) earn money when they host ads on their site—either from clicks, views, or both.
It’s a win-win-win setup. The advertiser gets exposure, the ad network gets a cut, and the publisher earns money by sharing space on their site.
This is how tons of people and businesses make a living online. Even small blogs or YouTube channels can bring in real money just by running ads—especially if they get a lot of traffic.
The Secret Sauce: Automation
Here’s something most people don’t realize—most of this stuff runs automatically. Advertisers don’t hand-pick every site where their ads go. It all happens super fast through something called programmatic advertising.
Ad networks use tech to match the right ad with the right person on the right site, all in a fraction of a second. There are even online auctions happening behind the scenes every time a page loads. The highest bidder wins the ad space, and it shows up in real time.
It sounds complicated, but it’s actually what makes modern digital advertising possible. Without automation, advertisers would have to guess where to put their ads, and publishers would have to manage everything manually. Nobody has time for that.
So... Why Does This Matter?
If you ever wondered how your favorite YouTuber can afford to post videos every week or how news sites stay free to read, this is the answer.
Online ads—especially display ads—make the internet work. They’re the reason so much content is available without subscriptions or paywalls. And yeah, even the ads you don’t click are doing their job.
This is also a big deal for businesses. They don’t need to spend thousands on a huge campaign. They can target exactly who they want, only pay for what works, and track every single result. That’s something old-school billboards or magazine ads could never do.
What You Should Remember
- Online ads make money through both clicks and views.
- Display ad networks connect advertisers with websites to make everything run smoothly.
- Even ignored ads build awareness, and that can lead to sales later.
- Ads are targeted using data, so they’re more likely to show you something relevant.
- Everyone involved—advertisers, publishers, and networks—gets a piece of the action.
So the next time you scroll past a banner ad or skip a video promo, just remember: that ad still made money. And it's helping keep the internet running for free.
Got a website or thinking of starting one? Display ads could be the easiest way to start making money from day one. It’s not just about clicks—it’s about visibility, strategy, and working with the right network to make it all count.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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