Over the past few years, the world of online advertising has seen trends rise and fall faster than a CPA campaign on the wrong GEO. From banner ads to push notifications, from TikTok virals to programmatic buying — every traffic source has had its moment in the spotlight. But one question keeps popping up among affiliates: Are Native Ads still worth the investment in 2025?
We decided to put this to the test by running our very own native ads campaign from scratch. This wasn’t a “look at the numbers and guess” kind of analysis — we actually rolled up our sleeves, launched a live campaign, and monitored every click, conversion, and optimization step until the very end. The results were eye-opening.
Native ads have a unique selling point: they blend seamlessly into the platform’s content, making them far less intrusive than display banners or pop-ups. Instead of shouting “I’m an ad!” they whisper, “Hey, here’s something you might actually want to check out.” That subtlety often translates into higher engagement rates — but does it still hold true in today’s crowded affiliate market?
For this test, we picked an offer from a reputable affiliate network. It was a vertical with historically good performance on native traffic, giving us a solid starting point. We selected one of the top native ad platforms with a large inventory and multiple GEOs available.
Our goal was simple:
The first wave of traffic was a mixed bag. CTR was high — which was expected for native ads — but the conversion rate wasn’t hitting the mark. That’s where optimization came in.
We began testing different headlines, making sure they triggered curiosity without giving away too much. At the same time, we refined our audience targeting by excluding low-performing placements and focusing budget on those delivering consistent conversions.
Another key factor was our pre-lander design. The initial version was too generic, so we redesigned it to tell a more compelling story — one that warmed up the user before they hit the offer page. This small change had a surprisingly big impact on conversion rates.
After several days of fine-tuning, the campaign stabilized and began showing steady profits. Here’s what we learned:
So, are native ads still a thing in 2025? Absolutely — but only if you approach them strategically. Gone are the days when you could throw up a single ad and watch conversions roll in. Success now depends on rapid testing, data-driven optimization, and constant creative refreshes.
If you’re willing to put in the work, native ads can still be one of the most profitable traffic formats out there. This campaign proved that when done right, they can deliver strong ROI — even in a competitive landscape.
We decided to put this to the test by running our very own native ads campaign from scratch. This wasn’t a “look at the numbers and guess” kind of analysis — we actually rolled up our sleeves, launched a live campaign, and monitored every click, conversion, and optimization step until the very end. The results were eye-opening.
Why We Chose Native Ads for This Test
Native ads have a unique selling point: they blend seamlessly into the platform’s content, making them far less intrusive than display banners or pop-ups. Instead of shouting “I’m an ad!” they whisper, “Hey, here’s something you might actually want to check out.” That subtlety often translates into higher engagement rates — but does it still hold true in today’s crowded affiliate market?
The Campaign Setup
For this test, we picked an offer from a reputable affiliate network. It was a vertical with historically good performance on native traffic, giving us a solid starting point. We selected one of the top native ad platforms with a large inventory and multiple GEOs available.
Our goal was simple:
- Launch the campaign with a decent budget.
- Optimize aggressively based on early data.
- Test multiple creatives, headlines, and pre-landers.
- See if ROI could be achieved (and sustained) without a massive budget.
Early Challenges and Optimizations
The first wave of traffic was a mixed bag. CTR was high — which was expected for native ads — but the conversion rate wasn’t hitting the mark. That’s where optimization came in.
We began testing different headlines, making sure they triggered curiosity without giving away too much. At the same time, we refined our audience targeting by excluding low-performing placements and focusing budget on those delivering consistent conversions.
Another key factor was our pre-lander design. The initial version was too generic, so we redesigned it to tell a more compelling story — one that warmed up the user before they hit the offer page. This small change had a surprisingly big impact on conversion rates.
Key Takeaways from the Campaign
After several days of fine-tuning, the campaign stabilized and began showing steady profits. Here’s what we learned:
- Creative fatigue happens fast. With native ads, your winning creatives can burn out in just a few days, so refresh them regularly.
- The pre-lander is critical. A well-structured, persuasive pre-lander can make or break your ROI.
- Audience refinement pays off. Cutting out low-performing placements early prevents budget waste.
- Testing is non-negotiable. Native ads require continuous split testing of headlines, images, and formats.
Final Verdict
So, are native ads still a thing in 2025? Absolutely — but only if you approach them strategically. Gone are the days when you could throw up a single ad and watch conversions roll in. Success now depends on rapid testing, data-driven optimization, and constant creative refreshes.
If you’re willing to put in the work, native ads can still be one of the most profitable traffic formats out there. This campaign proved that when done right, they can deliver strong ROI — even in a competitive landscape.