Websites using Fastclick

Okay, let s break down Fastclick, focusing on the areas you ve asked about: overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Overview of Fastclick

Fastclick, now operating under the name ValueClick Media, is an online advertising network. They act as a middleman connecting advertisers (those who want to display ads) with publishers (website owners who have space to display ads). Essentially, they help advertisers reach a wider audience and help publishers monetize their website traffic.

Here s a more detailed look:

• Core Function: Ad network that aggregates advertising inventory from various websites and provides it to advertisers. They aim to connect the right ads with the right audience, maximizing the effectiveness of campaigns for advertisers and the revenue for publishers.
• Ad Formats: They offer a range of ad formats, including banner ads (display ads), video ads, rich media ads, and mobile ads.
• Targeting: They provide various targeting options to help advertisers reach specific demographics, interests, and geographic locations.
• Historical Context: Fastclick was once a significant player in the online advertising space during the earlier days of the internet, but has evolved and been acquired over time. It s important to know that when you see Fastclick today, it usually refers to its current form as part of ValueClick Media.

Revenue (For Fastclick/ValueClick Media)

• Source of Revenue: ValueClick Media generates revenue by taking a cut of the advertising spending that flows through their network. They charge advertisers a certain amount to display their ads on publisher websites and then pay publishers a portion of that.
• Revenue Model: They typically operate on a Cost-Per-Thousand (CPM) or Cost-Per-Click (CPC) or Cost-Per-Action (CPA) basis, where advertisers pay for impressions, clicks, or actions completed, respectively.
• Actual Revenue Figures: Specific revenue figures for ValueClick Media (and therefore the historical Fastclick business) aren t publicly released in detail. They re owned by Conversant, a large advertising technology company, so individual revenue for this segment is not broken out. It s important to know they re now part of a larger holding.
• Important Note: Because the Fastclick brand no longer exists as an independent entity, we cannot discuss its individual revenue specifically. We must look at the entity it s now under, ValueClick Media.

Alternatives to Fastclick/ValueClick Media

The online advertising landscape is competitive, and there are many viable alternatives to consider. Here are some of the most prominent, categorized for clarity:

• Large Ad Networks:
  • Google AdSense/Ad Manager: Google s platforms are massive and offer access to a vast network of websites and advertisers. Widely used by both publishers and advertisers.
  • Media.net: A strong alternative focused on contextual advertising.
  • Amazon Publisher Services (APS): Part of the Amazon ecosystem, offering both header bidding and ad server solutions.
• Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs): These platforms allow advertisers to manage their ad campaigns across multiple ad exchanges:
  • The Trade Desk: A popular DSP among sophisticated advertisers.
  • DV360 (Google Display & Video 360): Google s DSP.
  • Adobe Advertising Cloud: Adobe s offering.
• Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs): These platforms help publishers manage and optimize their advertising inventory:
  • PubMatic: A leading SSP,
  • Magnite (Rubicon Project + Telaria): A large SSP.
  • OpenX: Another established SSP.
• Affiliate Networks: Focus on performance-based advertising where publishers earn commissions on sales or leads generated:
  • ShareASale: A popular affiliate network.
  • CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction): A well-known affiliate network.
• Direct Ad Sales: Many publishers choose to directly sell ad space to advertisers they work with.

Pricing (For Fastclick/ValueClick Media and Alternatives)

• Fastclick/ValueClick Media:
  • Pricing Models: CPM, CPC, and CPA are common.
  • Cost Variations: The actual cost depends on factors like:
    • Targeting criteria (more specific = higher cost)
    • Ad format
    • Industry/Niche
    • Competition for ad space
    • Performance results
  • Minimum Spend: Usually, there are some minimum spending requirements for advertisers.
• Alternatives:
  • Google AdSense: Uses an auction system, CPM varies widely.
  • DSPs/SSPs: Pricing is complex, often involving platform fees and variable bidding. They offer sophisticated reporting and control, but the learning curve can be steeper.
  • Affiliate Networks: Commissions are variable and based on sales/leads.
  • Direct Ad Sales: Pricing is negotiated between the publisher and the advertiser.

Customer Care (For Fastclick/ValueClick Media)

• Support Channels:
  • Typically, ValueClick Media provides support via email, phone, or dedicated account managers.
  • Support varies depending on the size of the client. Larger accounts usually receive more dedicated support.
• Self-Service Tools: They likely offer dashboards and tools for managing campaigns.
• Account Management: They will likely provide guidance on setting up campaigns and optimizing for best results.
• Service Quality: As a larger organization, ValueClick Media s customer care is likely to be functional with dedicated staff, but the specific experience will vary based on the individual account manager assigned and the scale of each account.
• Important Note: As ValueClick Media is part of a larger conglomerate (Conversant), customer service quality can vary. It s recommended to research the overall customer satisfaction of Conversant to get a full idea of support quality.

Key Takeaways

• Fastclick is now part of ValueClick Media, which operates as an ad network connecting advertisers and publishers.
• It s difficult to isolate specific revenue figures for ValueClick Media/Fastclick. They are part of a larger, privately-held company.
• Many viable alternatives exist, from Google s advertising offerings to specialized DSPs, SSPs, and affiliate networks.
• Pricing depends on the specific network, ad format, targeting, and competition for ad space.
• Customer support varies, with larger accounts typically receiving more personalized assistance.

When evaluating Fastclick/ValueClick Media or any alternative, consider the following:

• Your specific needs: Are you an advertiser or publisher?
• Your budget: What is your advertising budget, and what are your cost tolerances?
• Your technical expertise: Can you handle the complexity of using certain platforms?
• Your support requirements: How important is personalized customer service?

This comprehensive overview should help you understand Fastclick/ValueClick Media, its position in the ad-tech ecosystem, and how it compares with alternatives.