Top push ad networks

Mastering Adult Ad Campaigns: Your Guide to Success with HilltopAds

Adult advertising continues to be a vital source of income for affiliates in 2023, but not everyone can easily enter this niche. It demands a substantial budget and at least some background in affiliate marketing. Regardless, you can start by learning how to work with just one traffic source and monetize your ad experience shortly.

Today, we dive deeper into the world of generating 18+ traffic by focusing on a specific advertising network: HilltopAds. You’ll learn what this network is, what formats it offers, and how to run an adult ad campaign on this platform.

Adult Advertising: Things to Keep in Mind

This article will cover some crucial aspects and guidelines that should be kept in mind when dealing with adult advertising. Our insights into this dynamic market will help you navigate the niche.

Regulatory compliance

Before embarking on an adult advertising campaign, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and regulations in your target regions. Adult content is subject to various legal limitations, such as age restrictions and countries’ laws. For example, many countries impose restrictions on pornography content in ads. Thus, you are likely to come across the same limitations on most ad platforms. 

Creating compelling ad content

Compelling ad creatives is your ticket to success. Craft attention-grabbing headlines, use high-quality images or videos, and write concise yet persuasive ad copy. A/B testing different ad variations can help you determine what resonates best with your audience and fine-tune your campaigns accordingly.

Spy tools can help you create ads quickly. The top solutions are AdPlexity and Spy.House.

Traffic source

Traffic source is a key parameter that can already give affiliates a competitive edge by default. However, if you even choose a huge traffic source, you can encounter another challenge: prohibitions or limitations. This is why Google Ads, Facebook, and other social networks are already not so valuable as traffic sources. While it’s possible to advertise adult content on these platforms, doing so without resorting to black-hat methods like cloaking can be tricky. 

It is easier and more effective to use advertising networks for adult campaign running. Some ad networks prohibit 18+ content, but many, including HilltopAds, are open to promoting such offers, fortunately. 

Effective targeting strategies

Precise targeting is one of the key factors for building effective adult ad strategies. Previously, we’ve discussed the fundamental principles of launching adult advertising campaigns, shedding light on this niche’s intricacies within the affiliate marketing domain. 

If you wish to gain a comprehensive insight into the world of 18+ advertising, click on the link to access our adult guide.

HilltopAds: A Strong Choice for Adult Advertising

HilltopAds has been around since 2013 and has a lot of weight in the market. This marketing giant resides in the UK and exclusively partners with direct publishers who provide ad placements on their websites for both mainstream and adult offers. While you can run any 18+ offers on the HilltopAds platform, campaigns featuring explicit adult content won’t pass moderation.

The monthly ad coverage totals 73 billion impressions. Tier-1 countries largely generate incoming traffic in the ad network. Affiliates can choose from 3 models for purchasing adult traffic: CPM, CPC and CPA. 

Ad formats you can work at HilltopAds:

  • Popunder and popup;
  • In-page push notifications;
  • VAST/VPAID video;
  • Direct links.

If you are eager to learn more about the platform, read the HilltopAds review on our website. 

Guide to Creating the Perfect Adult Ad Campaign on HilltopAds

We’ll cover everything from mastering the platform features to optimizing your campaigns for maximum ROI. So, let’s jump into the adult marketing realm with HilltopAds, and discover how to navigate this evolving market with confidence and expertise.

Prior to anything else, make a deposit starting from $50 to join the platform. The company offers Bitcoin, Webmoney, PayPal, Capitalist, and other payment methods for replenishing the account.

Step 1. Create an ad campaign and choose the ad format

After funding the account, you can get started by creating an adult campaign.

You can choose the ad format and platform (mobile/desktop) in a single click. If you dwell on the popunder or banners, you would pay for advertising at a CPM rate. In-page push and video are CPC-based formats.

In-page push is a new and promising format released by the team, however, popunder still remains the most popular choice for adult ad promotion. 

HilltopAds сase studies on promoting Adult with popunder traffic

Step 2. Identify the traffic channel and campaign details

Decide the category (adult/mainstream) and traffic segment after choosing the ad format. 

Adult is a must for 18+ offers. When it comes to traffic segmentation, audiences are divided into activity levels: High, Medium and Low

The remaining steps are naming the campaign and setting frequency capping (number of ad impressions per user). 

HilltopAds best practices: 

  • Using the high-activity group is extremely beneficial to increase adult traffic; 
  • You can associate a campaign name with an offer to simplify identification later on;
  • A good practice for setting the frequency capping is 1 display per user every 24 hours. 

Step 3. Choose campaign targetings

The network provides a wide range of campaign targeting options: GEO, browser, OS (including OS version), mobile carrier, connection type, language, IP range, brand mobile device, ISP, app, etc.

If desired, it is possible to discuss your campaign details with your assigned personal manager. Every offer is unique and demands a tailored approach; therefore, rely on our manager for a successful launch of your adult ad traffic campaign.

Geo-targeting is the backbone of any ad campaign. The US, DE, RU, UA, and Scandinavian countries are inherently the top geos for Adult within the platform. 

Click to enlarge

Many targeting parameters are advanced mobile characteristics. As a mobile-friendly platform, HilltopAds is a boon for non-mainstream offers. One of the obvious reasons is that 97% of Pornhub traffic came from smartphones in 2022. However, affiliates should consider for which platform the offer is designed. As for mobile applications, it’s necessary to take into account which versions of the mobile OS they support.

HilltopAds recommendations on setting up an adult campaign: 

  • Choose adult-centric GEOs to maximize your profits (US, DE, RU, UA, Scandinavian countries);
  • Keep an eye on the estimated traffic volumes calculated as per ad format, geo-targeting and traffic channels you select; 
  • The more you narrow down your campaign targeting, the fewer impressions and conversions you might yield. As such, the primary recommendation here is to start with the RON campaign and fine-tune it during optimization.

Step 4. Set a schedule and campaign limits

Overspending can be prevented by setting limits, which is imperative for such a high-barrier niche as Adult. Nevertheless, whatever the budget, every advertiser can work under flexible spending conditions: ASAP or Evenly.

If you have solid funds and want to make the most of them, choose the ASAP option to get traffic at the best possible price. Alternatively, if your budget is limited, but you still want to test the best timing for your ads, select the Evenly option.

HilltopAds professional tips

  • Test all timing to build a powerful adult ad strategy in the optimization stage;
  • If you are looking for a cost-effective way to test your advertising campaign, you should run it after the workday ends since adult content is less popular in the midday hours.

Step 5. Make creatives

Upload up to 5 creatives depending on your ad format.

Here is the look and feel of the creation form for making in-page ads. 

Click to enlarge

You should make sure your creatives reflect the theme and nationality of the audience. 

HilltopAds recommendations on effective adult ads:

  • Asian women are popular in the US; 
  • Creatives featuring LGBTQ+ individuals perform well in countries where it’s widely accepted, such as the US and Europe, but may yield significantly lower conversions elsewhere; 
  • In general, women with Slavic appearances are widely appreciated, but Indian, Brazilian, and Latino women tend to resonate more with their compatriots.

Step 6. Optimize your adult campaign

To optimize the ad campaign at HilltopAds, make use of its statistics and employ Automatic Optimization, also known as automated rules. You can exclude low-performing sources that don’t meet the traffic requirements in terms of spending, impressions, conversions and eCPA (Revenue/Conversions).

Click to enlarge

Stay on top of your campaign results and keep your creatives fresh to avoid ad fatigue.

Before you run your campaign, set up tracking software to analyze its results over time. This way, you would be able to optimize the campaign wisely based on the statistics data.

Tracking solutions integrated with HilltopAds: BeMob, Keitaro, AdsBridge, AppsFlyer, Voluum, Redtrack, Binom and Peerclick.

Key Takeaways

HilltopAds is a fruitful traffic source for spicy offers, but not all ad formats fit this niche. The network hallmark is undoubtedly popunder, but nothing hinders testing perspective in-page push ad format reaching out to the solvent iOS audience. Handle the Automatic Optimization feature right from the start and get in touch with the manager while the ad campaign is setting up. Beyond manager assistance, take advantage of the tracking software and the in-house estimation tool to gain insight into traffic.

Anna Mardas
Anna Mardas brought together her background as a copywriter in digital marketing. Now, she's got a solid grasp on affiliate marketing, especially when it comes to understanding the following niches: Gambling, Adult, Dating, Sweepstakes and Crypto. Anna stands out for her thorough research and insightful reviews of ad networks, offering her readers valuable knowledge.

Adult advertising continues to be a vital source of income for affiliates in 2023, but not everyone can easily enter this niche. It demands a substantial budget and at least some background in affiliate marketing. Regardless, you can start by learning how to work with just one traffic source and monetize your ad experience shortly.

Today, we dive deeper into the world of generating 18+ traffic by focusing on a specific advertising network: HilltopAds. You’ll learn what this network is, what formats it offers, and how to run an adult ad campaign on this platform.

Adult Advertising: Things to Keep in Mind

This article will cover some crucial aspects and guidelines that should be kept in mind when dealing with adult advertising. Our insights into this dynamic market will help you navigate the niche.

Regulatory compliance

Before embarking on an adult advertising campaign, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and regulations in your target regions. Adult content is subject to various legal limitations, such as age restrictions and countries’ laws. For example, many countries impose restrictions on pornography content in ads. Thus, you are likely to come across the same limitations on most ad platforms. 

Creating compelling ad content

Compelling ad creatives is your ticket to success. Craft attention-grabbing headlines, use high-quality images or videos, and write concise yet persuasive ad copy. A/B testing different ad variations can help you determine what resonates best with your audience and fine-tune your campaigns accordingly.

Spy tools can help you create ads quickly. The top solutions are AdPlexity and Spy.House.

Traffic source

Traffic source is a key parameter that can already give affiliates a competitive edge by default. However, if you even choose a huge traffic source, you can encounter another challenge: prohibitions or limitations. This is why Google Ads, Facebook, and other social networks are already not so valuable as traffic sources. While it’s possible to advertise adult content on these platforms, doing so without resorting to black-hat methods like cloaking can be tricky. 

It is easier and more effective to use advertising networks for adult campaign running. Some ad networks prohibit 18+ content, but many, including HilltopAds, are open to promoting such offers, fortunately. 

Effective targeting strategies

Precise targeting is one of the key factors for building effective adult ad strategies. Previously, we’ve discussed the fundamental principles of launching adult advertising campaigns, shedding light on this niche’s intricacies within the affiliate marketing domain. 

If you wish to gain a comprehensive insight into the world of 18+ advertising, click on the link to access our adult guide.

HilltopAds: A Strong Choice for Adult Advertising

HilltopAds has been around since 2013 and has a lot of weight in the market. This marketing giant resides in the UK and exclusively partners with direct publishers who provide ad placements on their websites for both mainstream and adult offers. While you can run any 18+ offers on the HilltopAds platform, campaigns featuring explicit adult content won’t pass moderation.

The monthly ad coverage totals 73 billion impressions. Tier-1 countries largely generate incoming traffic in the ad network. Affiliates can choose from 3 models for purchasing adult traffic: CPM, CPC and CPA. 

Ad formats you can work at HilltopAds:

  • Popunder and popup;
  • In-page push notifications;
  • VAST/VPAID video;
  • Direct links.

If you are eager to learn more about the platform, read the HilltopAds review on our website. 

Guide to Creating the Perfect Adult Ad Campaign on HilltopAds

We’ll cover everything from mastering the platform features to optimizing your campaigns for maximum ROI. So, let’s jump into the adult marketing realm with HilltopAds, and discover how to navigate this evolving market with confidence and expertise.

Prior to anything else, make a deposit starting from $50 to join the platform. The company offers Bitcoin, Webmoney, PayPal, Capitalist, and other payment methods for replenishing the account.

Step 1. Create an ad campaign and choose the ad format

After funding the account, you can get started by creating an adult campaign.

You can choose the ad format and platform (mobile/desktop) in a single click. If you dwell on the popunder or banners, you would pay for advertising at a CPM rate. In-page push and video are CPC-based formats.

In-page push is a new and promising format released by the team, however, popunder still remains the most popular choice for adult ad promotion. 

HilltopAds сase studies on promoting Adult with popunder traffic

Step 2. Identify the traffic channel and campaign details

Decide the category (adult/mainstream) and traffic segment after choosing the ad format. 

Adult is a must for 18+ offers. When it comes to traffic segmentation, audiences are divided into activity levels: High, Medium and Low

The remaining steps are naming the campaign and setting frequency capping (number of ad impressions per user). 

HilltopAds best practices: 

  • Using the high-activity group is extremely beneficial to increase adult traffic; 
  • You can associate a campaign name with an offer to simplify identification later on;
  • A good practice for setting the frequency capping is 1 display per user every 24 hours. 

Step 3. Choose campaign targetings

The network provides a wide range of campaign targeting options: GEO, browser, OS (including OS version), mobile carrier, connection type, language, IP range, brand mobile device, ISP, app, etc.

If desired, it is possible to discuss your campaign details with your assigned personal manager. Every offer is unique and demands a tailored approach; therefore, rely on our manager for a successful launch of your adult ad traffic campaign.

Geo-targeting is the backbone of any ad campaign. The US, DE, RU, UA, and Scandinavian countries are inherently the top geos for Adult within the platform. 

Click to enlarge

Many targeting parameters are advanced mobile characteristics. As a mobile-friendly platform, HilltopAds is a boon for non-mainstream offers. One of the obvious reasons is that 97% of Pornhub traffic came from smartphones in 2022. However, affiliates should consider for which platform the offer is designed. As for mobile applications, it’s necessary to take into account which versions of the mobile OS they support.

HilltopAds recommendations on setting up an adult campaign: 

  • Choose adult-centric GEOs to maximize your profits (US, DE, RU, UA, Scandinavian countries);
  • Keep an eye on the estimated traffic volumes calculated as per ad format, geo-targeting and traffic channels you select; 
  • The more you narrow down your campaign targeting, the fewer impressions and conversions you might yield. As such, the primary recommendation here is to start with the RON campaign and fine-tune it during optimization.

Step 4. Set a schedule and campaign limits

Overspending can be prevented by setting limits, which is imperative for such a high-barrier niche as Adult. Nevertheless, whatever the budget, every advertiser can work under flexible spending conditions: ASAP or Evenly.

If you have solid funds and want to make the most of them, choose the ASAP option to get traffic at the best possible price. Alternatively, if your budget is limited, but you still want to test the best timing for your ads, select the Evenly option.

HilltopAds professional tips

  • Test all timing to build a powerful adult ad strategy in the optimization stage;
  • If you are looking for a cost-effective way to test your advertising campaign, you should run it after the workday ends since adult content is less popular in the midday hours.

Step 5. Make creatives

Upload up to 5 creatives depending on your ad format.

Here is the look and feel of the creation form for making in-page ads. 

Click to enlarge

You should make sure your creatives reflect the theme and nationality of the audience. 

HilltopAds recommendations on effective adult ads:

  • Asian women are popular in the US; 
  • Creatives featuring LGBTQ+ individuals perform well in countries where it’s widely accepted, such as the US and Europe, but may yield significantly lower conversions elsewhere; 
  • In general, women with Slavic appearances are widely appreciated, but Indian, Brazilian, and Latino women tend to resonate more with their compatriots.

Step 6. Optimize your adult campaign

To optimize the ad campaign at HilltopAds, make use of its statistics and employ Automatic Optimization, also known as automated rules. You can exclude low-performing sources that don’t meet the traffic requirements in terms of spending, impressions, conversions and eCPA (Revenue/Conversions).

Click to enlarge

Stay on top of your campaign results and keep your creatives fresh to avoid ad fatigue.

Before you run your campaign, set up tracking software to analyze its results over time. This way, you would be able to optimize the campaign wisely based on the statistics data.

Tracking solutions integrated with HilltopAds: BeMob, Keitaro, AdsBridge, AppsFlyer, Voluum, Redtrack, Binom and Peerclick.

Key Takeaways

HilltopAds is a fruitful traffic source for spicy offers, but not all ad formats fit this niche. The network hallmark is undoubtedly popunder, but nothing hinders testing perspective in-page push ad format reaching out to the solvent iOS audience. Handle the Automatic Optimization feature right from the start and get in touch with the manager while the ad campaign is setting up. Beyond manager assistance, take advantage of the tracking software and the in-house estimation tool to gain insight into traffic.

Anna Mardas
Anna Mardas brought together her background as a copywriter in digital marketing. Now, she's got a solid grasp on affiliate marketing, especially when it comes to understanding the following niches: Gambling, Adult, Dating, Sweepstakes and Crypto. Anna stands out for her thorough research and insightful reviews of ad networks, offering her readers valuable knowledge.

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