Short answer: the ad sizes that reliably earn the most are the large rectangle (336x280), the medium rectangle (300x250), the large mobile banner (320x100), and the leaderboard (728x90). Placement matters as much as size, ads inside content and above the fold earn far more than ones buried in the footer. Here is what works and why.
The top-earning ad sizes
| Size | Name | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 336x280 | Large Rectangle | In-content, highest earner |
| 300x250 | Medium Rectangle | In-content and sidebar, huge demand |
| 320x100 | Large Mobile Banner | Mobile, where most traffic is |
| 728x90 | Leaderboard | Desktop header/between sections |
| 300x600 | Half Page | Sticky sidebar, high viewability |
The rectangles (300x250 and 336x280) win because advertisers bid heavily on them and they fit naturally inside articles.
Placement beats size
Where an ad sits affects earnings more than its dimensions:
- Within the content, after the first or second paragraph, tends to earn most because readers actually see it.
- Above the fold (visible without scrolling) has higher viewability.
- A sticky sidebar ad stays on screen as the reader scrolls.
- Footer-only ads earn little because few people scroll that far.
Use responsive ads
Rather than hard-coding one size, responsive ad units let the network pick the best-fitting, best-paying size for each device and slot. On mobile especially, this fills the space efficiently. Most modern ad platforms recommend responsive units as the default.
Viewability: the metric that quietly decides your income
Advertisers pay for ads that are actually seen. An ad that loads below the fold and is scrolled past fast has low viewability and earns less. This is the non-obvious lever: improving where and how ads appear (so more are genuinely viewed) can raise revenue without adding a single new ad.
Do not overdo it
Stuffing a page with ads slows it down, annoys readers, and can trigger penalties. A few well-placed, high-value units beat a wall of banners, both for user experience and long-term earnings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best-performing ad sizes?
The large rectangle (336x280) and medium rectangle (300x250) earn the most, plus the large mobile banner (320x100) and leaderboard (728x90).
Where should I place ads for the most revenue?
Within the content after the first or second paragraph and above the fold, where readers actually see them. Footer-only ads earn little.
Should I use responsive ad units?
Yes. Responsive units let the network pick the best-fitting, best-paying size per device and slot, which is especially valuable on mobile.
Does adding more ads increase revenue?
Not necessarily. Too many ads slow the page, annoy readers and can trigger penalties. A few well-placed, high-value units usually earn more.
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