Websites using Rakuten Advertising

Okay, let s break down Rakuten Advertising, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Rakuten Advertising Overview

Rakuten Advertising is a global digital advertising network and a subsidiary of Rakuten Group, a major Japanese e-commerce and internet services company. They offer a suite of performance-based marketing solutions for brands and publishers. Their primary focus is on:

• Affiliate Marketing: Connecting advertisers with publishers (like blogs, websites, and influencers) to promote products or services. Performance is usually measured by sales or leads generated.
• Display Advertising: Using banner ads and other visual formats to reach audiences across their network of websites and mobile apps.
• Data and Insights: Leveraging Rakuten s large user data to provide advertisers with targeted audience segments and campaign insights.
• Search Engine Marketing (SEM) & Paid Search: Helping clients manage their advertising on platforms like Google and Bing.
• Influencer Marketing: Connect brands with a variety of content creators across diverse social channels.

Key Characteristics:

• Global Reach: Operates in many countries, particularly strong in Asia (especially Japan), Europe, and North America.
• Large Network: Connects advertisers to a substantial network of publishers.
• Data-Driven: Uses Rakuten s extensive user data to improve targeting and performance.
• Performance-Based: A strong emphasis on measurable results and return on investment (ROI).

Revenue (Estimates and Context)

It s difficult to pinpoint the exact revenue of Rakuten Advertising as it s part of the larger Rakuten Group and not typically broken out separately in public financial reports. However:

• Rakuten Group Revenue: As a whole, Rakuten Group is a massive company with billions of dollars in annual revenue. A significant portion of this revenue comes from their e-commerce and digital advertising activities.
• Advertising Contribution: Advertising is a vital part of Rakuten s ecosystem and a major revenue driver. Rakuten Advertising s role in driving traffic and sales for the group is significant.
• Estimated Scale: While the exact figures are not public, Rakuten Advertising can be considered a multi-billion dollar business given the global scope and the scale of Rakuten s operations.
• Growth Trends: In recent years, Rakuten Advertising has focused on expanding its omnichannel offerings, adding to its already robust network.

Alternatives to Rakuten Advertising

Depending on your specific needs (affiliate marketing, display, data, etc.), here are some alternatives to consider:

• Affiliate Marketing:
  • CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction): A large, established affiliate network.
  • ShareASale: A popular affiliate network, often favoured by smaller businesses and bloggers.
  • Awin: Another leading global affiliate network.
  • Impact: A versatile platform with a focus on partnerships and automation.
  • Amazon Associates: For brands that primarily sell on Amazon.
• Display Advertising:
  • Google Ads: The leading platform for display ads with vast reach.
  • Facebook Ads: Strong for social media advertising.
  • MediaMath: A programmatic platform focused on large-scale advertising.
  • AdRoll: A platform for retargeting and personalized ads.
  • The Trade Desk: A DSP (Demand-Side Platform) for advanced programmatic buying.
• Data and Insights:
  • LiveRamp: Data onboarding and identity resolution.
  • Lotame: A data management platform (DMP).
  • Adobe Audience Manager: Part of the Adobe Experience Cloud, data solutions for their ecosystem.
  • Oracle Data Cloud: Data for marketing and advertising.
• Search Engine Marketing (SEM):
  • Google Ads: The dominant platform for SEM.
  • Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads): A smaller but still relevant platform.
• Influencer Marketing:
• AspireIQ An influencer platform to create collaborations with influencers
• CreatorIQ Enterprise-level influencer marketing platform
• Upfluence All-in-one platform for influencer marketing

Pricing

Rakuten Advertising uses various pricing models depending on the specific service. Common models include:

• Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): Advertisers pay a commission for each sale or lead generated through their affiliate network. This is the most common for affiliate marketing.
• Cost Per Click (CPC): Advertisers pay for each click on an ad. Common in display and search advertising.
• Cost Per Mille/Thousand (CPM): Advertisers pay for every 1,000 impressions (ad views). Common in display advertising.
• Fixed Fee: For certain services or large-scale campaigns, a fixed fee may be negotiated.
• Hybrid Models: Combinations of pricing models may be used depending on campaign objectives.

Important Considerations:

• Negotiable: Pricing can often be negotiated based on volume and partnership agreements.
• Platform Fees: Publishers usually take a cut of the commission. The rate will vary by platform, advertiser, and performance.
• Minimums: Platforms often have minimum spending requirements, particularly for display or programmatic advertising.
• Commission Rates: For affiliate marketing, commission rates vary greatly based on industry, publisher type, and advertiser.

Customer Care Details

Customer care for Rakuten Advertising typically involves:

• Dedicated Account Managers: Larger clients will usually have an assigned account manager to provide support, campaign guidance, and strategic advice.
• Online Support Portal: Access to resources, documentation, FAQs, and support tickets.
• Phone and Email Support: Availability varies by location and service level.
• Training and Onboarding: For new clients and partners, Rakuten will provide training on how to use their platform.
• Community: Rakuten may host in-person or virtual events, webinars, and have online communities for support and updates.

Customer Service Considerations:

• Response Times: Varies depending on the urgency and type of query.
• Support Quality: Overall feedback is positive, with many users mentioning the expertise of their account managers.

Summary

Rakuten Advertising is a significant player in the digital advertising landscape, particularly in performance-based marketing. Their strength comes from their extensive network, data resources, and connection to the larger Rakuten ecosystem. It s a viable option for businesses looking to scale their advertising efforts, especially within affiliate marketing. However, it s essential to compare their offerings and pricing with alternatives to find the best fit for your needs.

Remember to do thorough research and due diligence for the platforms that may suit your specific campaign goals and requirements.