My really successful, unfundable, piece of shit startup I hate to love
You have an awesome opportunity with your startup. I'm sure you'll turn something around with the lively discussion you kicked off.<p>Have you considered non-ad-network revenue sources? What about running affiliate offers?<p>I used to make 4 to 10 times more as a publisher with affiliate offers than adsense or other ad network placements. I don't affiliate (or publish) enough now to know if that would still happen or not.<p>A quick idea for an affiliate test, although you may have already tried this:<p>Given 6MM+ uniques/mo, and a somewhat adult-oriented audience, you may have a decent opportunity to push native ads with affiliate offers toward dating sites, event-themed sites (costumes for halloween trends), and more.<p>Native ads could be custom, animated banners you create and fill the first, second or x picture spot in your search or tag results. Does that make sense? Your banners would be 100px x 100px on your home page and fill a standard picture spot or two or five instead of the images that might ordinarily go in that space, 150x150 banner ads could fit in well in random places on your tag image pages, etc.<p>Also, advertisers might like to participate in native advertising on your website if the opportunity were available.<p>Good luck!