International CPM Q&A

After rolling out International CPM ads and reporting earlier this week, we've consolidated some of the most common questions into a Q&A here on the blog. Often times, questions are asked on our blog's comment threads that are already answered in the related post -- so we ask that you read through this Q&A entirely before posting a question.

I'm seeing a really low CPM for my international traffic? Why?
As we indicated in Wednesday's post, initial CPM rates will initially be "low" because WidgetBucks is building credibility with these advertisers. As of today, we are implementing more targeted campaigns for traffic coming from countries that will quickly represent a better CPM. Specifically, those are UK, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, India, and Japan. This means that an advertiser is delivered more targeted traffic -- and is therefore more willing to pay a higher CPM rate. Until now, advertisers are only willing to pay a base rate (or no rate at all) due to "international," untargeted ads.

How long does it take for WidgetBucks to earn credibility with advertisers?
Not long. In fact, publishers should see an increase in CPM rate over the next couple days as we expand targeting methods.

What kind of rates are you seeing across the board, and what are certain countries and regions seeing?
Rates are definitely varying by country (and see the question below on non- or low-paying regions). Most countries are ranging between $0.25 and $0.80 CPM, depending on ad size. In general, the 468x60, 728x90, and 160x600 ad sizes yield higher than the 300x250, and much more than 120x600 or 250x250.

Why is the new CPM tab in MyWidgets not showing any earnings, just impressions or all zeros?
If you see impression data but zero revenue, it means that the international traffic you are receiving for the widgets is coming from regions where advertisers aren't willing to pay. If you see no impressions data, then no international impressions are being received.

What are the non-paying countries or regions?
We are finding that advertisers are not willing to buy traffic from Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Egypt, and Romania. Rates for other countries, such as Taiwan, parts of the Middle East, parts of S. America, and other regions earn under $0.10 CPM. It's really important to mention this is an advertiser decision regarding the value of that traffic, NOT WidgetBucks' decision. We repeat: this is an advertiser decision regarding the value of that traffic, NOT WidgetBucks' decision. I emphasize this because publishers, for whatever reason, will undoubtedly and incorrectly draw the conclusion it is solely WidgetBucks' decision.

I can't see the CPM ads on my site? Why not?
If you are in the US/Canada, then you will see the widget. Only site visitors outside of the US/Canada will see a CPM ad instead of the widget. Early in the rollout, we noticed a number of people asking about not seeing CPM ads internationally, but using a proxy server on our side, we have not been able to replicate this. In fact, on our blog threads, other commenters have indicated they can actually see the ads a publisher is indicating they can't see on their own sites. We continue to look into it and will monitor comments on this to see if it is persisting.

When will November earnings be posted on MyBucks?
Those earnings are now posted and available for viewing on MyBucks.


Publishers who have additional questions can check our Knowledge Base at the WidgetBucks Support Center (http://support.mpire.com). Tickets are being addressed there within 24-48 hours.

- Dean