Podcast monetization is not just for the big players.
At Blubrry, we believe every podcaster — from hobbyists to established creators — should have the opportunity to earn revenue from their show.
That’s why we built the Blubrry Programmatic Advertising Platform — a simple, automated way to start monetizing your podcast immediately, no matter your audience size.
Let’s break down what programmatic advertising is, how it works, and how you can get started with Blubrry today.
What Is Programmatic Advertising?
Programmatic advertising is the automated buying and selling of ad space — in this case, within your podcast episodes.
Instead of manually negotiating sponsorships, advertisers use real-time data and algorithms to bid for available ad slots that best fit their audience.
Think of it as a stock exchange for ads — fast, precise, and entirely automated.
Here’s why it matters for podcasters:
- Advertisers compete for your ad inventory automatically.
- You earn revenue every time ads are delivered in your episodes.
- You don’t need to chase sponsors or meet a minimum download count.
It’s podcast monetization made simple — and built for the modern creator.
How Programmatic Advertising Works with Blubrry
Blubrry’s platform connects your show with advertisers across multiple types of automated ad exchanges, including:
- Real-Time Bidding (RTB): Live auctions for ad slots in your show.
- Private Marketplaces: Invitations for select advertisers to bid.
- Programmatic Direct: Guaranteed placements with premium advertisers.
Once your show is approved (typically within 72 hours), the system starts matching your episodes with the most relevant ads — based on your content category, audience behavior, and listener geography.
Over the next 60–90 days, the system learns your publishing schedule and optimizes which ads are shown and when — increasing both your revenue and listener experience.
Step-by-Step: Getting Started with Programmatic Ads on Blubrry
1. Enable Programmatic Ads
If you’re a Blubrry hosting customer, you already have access.
Simply go to the Make Money tab in your dashboard, enable Programmatic Advertising, and submit your show for review.
2. Choose Your Ad Categories
Stay in control of what appears in your podcast. You can select which ad categories to include — and we automatically exclude sensitive topics such as:
-Politics
-Religion
-Adult content
-Alcohol
-Vaping and Cannabis
This ensures your podcast remains brand-safe and trustworthy for your listeners.
3. Choose Your Ad Placements
Blubrry supports three standard placements:
🎧 Pre-Roll: Plays before your episode starts — great for short, high-impact messages.
🎧 Mid-Roll: Plays in the middle of your content — ideal for engagement (requires a mid-roll marker).
🎧 Post-Roll: Plays after your episode — perfect for subtle sign-offs.
If you’re using PowerPress, you can easily place mid-roll markers directly in your files.
4. Let Automation Do the Rest
Once your show is live, advertisers begin bidding for your ad space automatically.
Ads may change minute by minute as the system optimizes performance — ensuring the best results for both you and your audience.
What You Can Expect
Here’s what typical results look like for new shows using Blubrry’s Programmatic Ads:
- Estimated CPMs: $5–$15
- Fill Rates: Up to 80%
- No Geographic Restrictions
- Payments: Made via PayPal
- Minimum Payout: $50
- Blubrry’s Share: 30%
Payments are issued within 90 days of ad delivery, and as your show stays active longer, CPM rates often increase — since advertisers learn more about your show’s content and schedule.
Why Podcasters Love Programmatic Advertising
Programmatic advertising isn’t just another monetization tool — it’s a shift in how creators earn.
Here’s why podcasters are embracing it:
- Start earning right away: No need for large audiences or brand sponsors.
- Save time: Automation handles the bidding and placement for you.
- Stay authentic: Choose your categories and ad placement to keep your voice front and center.
- Earn passively: Keep publishing episodes while your ads work behind the scenes.
Join the Programmatic Revolution
At Blubrry, we’re not just keeping up with digital advertising trends — we’re helping podcasters lead them.
With nearly two decades of podcast monetization experience, we’ve built a system that’s automated, ethical, and accessible for every creator.
No downloads required.
No audience minimums.
Just your show, your voice, and a new way to earn.