Case study: How to use paid traffic and SmartLink to make over $1,200
For this publisher, website monetization was uncharted territory. With no prior experience and a modest testing budget, he set out to see if paid traffic could generate real returns. Using Monetag’s SmartLink and a strategy built on careful traffic filtering and optimization, he refined his approach and eventually earned over $1,220.
This case study shows how even a newbie can transform small investments into meaningful earnings with smart planning, the right tools, and a focus on quality traffic.
Publisher’s strategy and results
- Tools used: Monetag SmartLink, ProPush Tag, and MaxConv
- Traffic source: Paid traffic from social media and pop-up networks
- Results:
- Total earnings: $1,347.41
- Profit margins: 30% to 100%
How it started
Every success story starts somewhere, and for this publisher, it began with curiosity and a small $10 investment. His approach was simple: buy high-quality traffic and use Monetag’s SmartLink to monetize it. He started by purchasing traffic from social media platforms and pop-up ad networks while filtering for quality using tracking tools like MaxConv.
“I buy traffic from social media and pop-up sites, and filter the traffic through tracking sites like MaxConv, which is an excellent and affordable site that filters traffic exceptionally well.”
To start, the publisher ran small tests with a $10 budget, targeting tier-1 countries like the United States, Canada, the UK, and Germany. After analyzing the results, they adjusted their campaigns to focus on devices and systems that delivered the highest CPM.
“Initially, I tested with $10 on an ad campaign targeting first-world countries. After seeing the statistics, I filter the highest CPM based on device and system, then adjust campaign settings. Afterward, I open up the advertising budget and continue this process, starting to recycle the capital.”
SmartLink setup and landing page strategy
The publisher’s setup focused on using a landing page designed to make the most of each visitor. He integrated the SmartLink into the main button on the page, plus – added a ProPush.me tag for extra-monetization through notification opt-in prompts. The opt-in window offered a subscription for users, and those who agreed were monetized, which brought additional income to our publisher.
“On the landing page, the main button converts to a pop-up ad when clicked, and I’ve also implemented ProPush.me codes to earn from notifications, as it provides continuous revenue whenever subscribed users see an ad.”
This dual approach created an additional revenue stream through ProPush.me notifications, driving earnings even after users had left the page.
To keep results consistent, the publisher adapted the landing page based on traffic behavior and user familiarity:
“The landing page continues to generate profits for long periods, depending on user interaction with the page. If I’m buying visits specifically for downloads, the landing page will be download-focused. When promoting visits, if the landing page has been promoted multiple times, users become familiar with it, so I need to change this page or at least modify its appearance.”
Buying traffic and quality control
Our publisher’s early success was partly thanks to their focus on traffic quality control. They paid special attention to carefully filtering and managing that traffic to maintain quality and performance.
Invalid visits — such as bots and proxies — are strictly prohibited by Monetag and can lead to account closures. By using MaxConv, they were able to apply conditions that made sure only valid, real visits were directed to their SmartLink:
“Through my experience, I use MaxConv, which allows me to filter visits during the ad campaign. Here’s an image of the filtration where I create a condition: if there are bots or invalid visits, they don’t get directed to my direct link, and if they’re valid and real visits, they get directed to my link. This way, I ensure traffic quality and also maintain a high and stable CPM.”
❗️Please mind that Monetag only accepts high-quality traffic from legitimate sources. We do not accept incentivized or bot traffic! Our stance ensures that publishers earn more for valid impressions and advertisers get the best value possible.
Earnings and results
Summary
- Traffic sources: Paid traffic from social media platforms and pop-up ad networks.
- Starting budget: Approximately $600
- Monetag results:
- Total earnings: $1,245.96
- Total impressions: 1,027,637
- Average CPM: $1.22
- ProPush notifications:
- Total earnings: $126.66
- Total impressions: 186,317
- Conversion rate: 1.16%
Through a combination of Monetag SmartLink and ProPush notifications, the publisher was able to turn a small advertising spend into consistent profits. While their earnings may not seem massive at first glance, the results show how even a newbie can generate income and scale over time.
“All my withdrawals on Monetag amount to $1,220, of which I spent approximately $600 on advertising campaigns across different ad networks and Facebook ads. What keeps me going is that I achieve a profit margin ranging between 30% – 100%.”
The above screenshot shows our publisher’s PropPush dashboard, showing 186,317 impressions and $126.66 in profit with a stable 1.16% conversion rate.
Here we can see our publisher’s Monetag results –– with over 1,027,637 impressions, they earned $1,245.96, confirming how their method of buying and filtering traffic turned into consistent profit.
Why Monetag?
For this publisher, the ability to withdraw earnings quickly and reinvest meant they could keep growing their campaigns, which led them to Monetag. As they put it:
“[Monetag has] good CPM compared to other companies—they genuinely provide higher returns. Minimum withdrawal is $5! Can you believe it? This means you can withdraw any earnings you make. Weekly payments, which is the best feature for me as it enables capital rotation. Many payment methods are available. The priority system that allows me to get excellent features.”
Future plans and key insights
The publisher isn’t stopping here. With a successful process in place, he’s focused on scaling his campaigns to drive even greater profits. Their approach is clear: increase ad spend, expand traffic sources, and refine optimization strategies to keep improving results.
“My plan is to scale ad campaigns by increasing the advertising budget and targeting more traffic sources. With some investment, you can achieve continuous and permanent profits.”
For those considering affiliate marketing or working with SmartLink, we can draw some key insights from this publisher’s experience:
- Focus on traffic quality
Filter your traffic to avoid bots, proxies, and invalid visits. Use tools like MaxConv to ensure only real users reach your link. Poor traffic will lead to account closures.
- Start small, optimize, and scale
If your budget is restricted, begin with tests and don’t be shy to test first-world countries. Use the results to identify the highest CPM based on device and system, adjust your campaign settings, and then increase the budget.
- Choose the right tracking tools
Good tracking tools should have fast page loading speeds to avoid click loss, provide detailed statistics, and be cost-effective.
Where will your path to profits take you?
Our publisher’s story proves that with the right strategy, even a small investment can lead to impressive results. With high-quality traffic, careful filtering, and testing, both newbies and experienced publishers can turn paid traffic into consistent profits.
