Hey everyone,
Darry here again with another eye-opener for those of you burning your budgets in overhyped markets and still asking, "Why aren't my campaigns profitable?"
Well, here’s the real talk:
You’re still broke because you’ve bought into the myth that Tier 1 and Tier 2 are the only places where money lives.
Let’s break that down.
We all know why advertisers flock to places like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the rest of the Tier 1/2 pack. Supposedly more purchasing power, right?
Sure, Tier 1 has volume and spending ability—but it also comes with:
And let’s not forget how limited you are creatively. These users have seen it all. Your “new landing page” isn’t new. Your offer isn’t shocking. And unless you’re sitting on a massive budget or a wildly underused creative, you’re just competing for crumbs.
Because most affiliates don’t understand that value doesn't always live where the CPMs are highest.
Let’s talk Tier 3—regions like Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
For context:
In 2024, we ran thousands of campaigns across all three tiers. The Tier 3 data kept popping out. iGaming and Nutra offers consistently overperformed in Tier 3 regions, especially when paired with one underrated ad format: Popunders.
Why? Let’s unpack it.
1. Cheaper Traffic = Higher Testing Volume
You can stretch your budget way further in Tier 3 GEOs. That means more A/B tests, more scaling options, and a much lower entry point. Where $100 gets you 300 clicks in the US, it might get you 3,000 in Nigeria or the Philippines.
2. Less Competition
The big boys ignore Tier 3, which leaves the playground open for smart, agile affiliates to sweep in. That means:
3. Different User Behavior
In Tier 3, people engage differently. Gambling isn’t just entertainment—it’s hope. Nutra isn’t luxury—it’s need. These offers resonate deeper. When you show the right offer at the right moment (via popunder), it connects.
4. Android Dominates
In Tier 3 countries, Android is king. But here’s the kicker—iOS users in these regions spend more on average. Segment and target accordingly.
In Tier 1, popunder has been pushed out of the mainstream by ad restrictions. Gambling ads? Blocked. Adult? Tough luck. But in Tier 3? Different game.
Less regulation = more freedom
More freedom = more conversions
In fact, several EU countries have made it near impossible to run popunder ads on iGaming, forcing affiliates to seek new traffic types or regions.
But in places like Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, or Peru, those same offers get real traction.
You're not fighting a war with ad policies—you’re running real campaigns with real results.
Yes, the volume might not match the US or Germany. But when you combine:
…suddenly, Tier 3 looks like the smartest market to test and scale.
It’s not about how many eyeballs you reach—it’s about how well you convert them.
Tier 3 users are just as hungry for solutions as anyone else. And they’re often more responsive because they haven’t been hammered by the same ads over and over.
So the next time you're wondering why your ROI sucks despite your "perfect" funnel, ask yourself this:
Are you marketing where your audience lives… or where everyone else is wasting their budgets?
Tier 3 isn’t the backup plan—it’s the opportunity you’ve been ignoring.
Whether you’re in iGaming, Nutra, or eCom, stop writing off these GEOs and start testing where the path is clear.
I'll be posting a follow-up soon showing one of my top-performing campaigns in West Africa. Until then—go where the money is actually flowing.
Cheers,
Darry here again with another eye-opener for those of you burning your budgets in overhyped markets and still asking, "Why aren't my campaigns profitable?"
Well, here’s the real talk:
You’re still broke because you’ve bought into the myth that Tier 1 and Tier 2 are the only places where money lives.
Let’s break that down.
The Overrated Obsession with Tier 1 & Tier 2
We all know why advertisers flock to places like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the rest of the Tier 1/2 pack. Supposedly more purchasing power, right?
Sure, Tier 1 has volume and spending ability—but it also comes with:
- Ridiculously high CPCs
- Brutal competition
- Hyper-aware users who scroll past your ad before it even loads
And let’s not forget how limited you are creatively. These users have seen it all. Your “new landing page” isn’t new. Your offer isn’t shocking. And unless you’re sitting on a massive budget or a wildly underused creative, you’re just competing for crumbs.
So Why Is No One Talking About Tier 3?
Because most affiliates don’t understand that value doesn't always live where the CPMs are highest.
Let’s talk Tier 3—regions like Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
For context:
In 2024, we ran thousands of campaigns across all three tiers. The Tier 3 data kept popping out. iGaming and Nutra offers consistently overperformed in Tier 3 regions, especially when paired with one underrated ad format: Popunders.
Why? Let’s unpack it.
Why Tier 3 + Popunders = ROI Heaven
1. Cheaper Traffic = Higher Testing Volume
You can stretch your budget way further in Tier 3 GEOs. That means more A/B tests, more scaling options, and a much lower entry point. Where $100 gets you 300 clicks in the US, it might get you 3,000 in Nigeria or the Philippines.
2. Less Competition
The big boys ignore Tier 3, which leaves the playground open for smart, agile affiliates to sweep in. That means:
- Lower CPMs
- Higher visibility
- Better engagement
3. Different User Behavior
In Tier 3, people engage differently. Gambling isn’t just entertainment—it’s hope. Nutra isn’t luxury—it’s need. These offers resonate deeper. When you show the right offer at the right moment (via popunder), it connects.
4. Android Dominates
In Tier 3 countries, Android is king. But here’s the kicker—iOS users in these regions spend more on average. Segment and target accordingly.
Popunder Isn’t Dead—You’re Just Using It Wrong
In Tier 1, popunder has been pushed out of the mainstream by ad restrictions. Gambling ads? Blocked. Adult? Tough luck. But in Tier 3? Different game.
Less regulation = more freedom
More freedom = more conversions
In fact, several EU countries have made it near impossible to run popunder ads on iGaming, forcing affiliates to seek new traffic types or regions.
But in places like Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, or Peru, those same offers get real traction.
You're not fighting a war with ad policies—you’re running real campaigns with real results.
Real Talk: Stop Overlooking Tier 3
Yes, the volume might not match the US or Germany. But when you combine:
- Low competition
- Higher user attention
- Cheaper CPCs
- Easier ad approvals
…suddenly, Tier 3 looks like the smartest market to test and scale.
It’s not about how many eyeballs you reach—it’s about how well you convert them.
Tier 3 users are just as hungry for solutions as anyone else. And they’re often more responsive because they haven’t been hammered by the same ads over and over.
Final Thoughts
So the next time you're wondering why your ROI sucks despite your "perfect" funnel, ask yourself this:
Are you marketing where your audience lives… or where everyone else is wasting their budgets?
Tier 3 isn’t the backup plan—it’s the opportunity you’ve been ignoring.
Whether you’re in iGaming, Nutra, or eCom, stop writing off these GEOs and start testing where the path is clear.
I'll be posting a follow-up soon showing one of my top-performing campaigns in West Africa. Until then—go where the money is actually flowing.
Cheers,