trends

Mobile Traffic Emerges From Shadow of Web Traffic

Now that webmasters are starting to bring in an increasingly large percentage of their income from mobile traffic, we decided to drill down deeper by having a discussion of and assessment about the current state of the mobile market. We found some interesting facts about the future outlook of emerging audiences as well as the ways site owners can earn more quickly and efficiently over the long term from portable device revenue streams.

One of the interesting facts is that at times, mobile earned a big portion of our platform revenue, even though it is a much smaller percentage of our inventory than web traffic. Mobile is booming and we have seen growth last year far surpassing what was predicted in the market. At the current rate of growth for traffic from the mobile market, ad networks like ours will eventually derive more than half of their profits from mobile advertising. The convenience and privacy of using a mobile device to purchase or view adult content is driving growth very rapidly in our market space.

Even as mobile traffic still makes up a fraction of the volume desktops provide, it has already become significantly more profitable.

Just how big is the mobile traffic market right now? Globally, mobile traffic accounts for a sizeable chunk of internet traffic right now, and it is thought to increase significantly according to sources we have seen. However, mobile internet usage in individual countries like China and South Korea has already surpassed desktop Internet usage during 2012 which means large emerging markets of new customers are likely to see mobile platforms as the dominant venue for digital purchases right from the start. Much the way American consumers were preconditioned to use credit cards for buying things online and desktop screens to view content, international customers from India, China, Korea and elsewhere are coming online from a starting point where cardless billing and mobile devices are what they are most accustomed to right from the outset.

Even as mobile traffic still makes up a fraction of the volume desktops provide, it has already become significantly more profitable. There is more money being spent by advertisers, for the same user on mobile vs. the same traditional user, with mobile usage far outpacing mobile ad spend, which leaves a huge gap of opportunity in the mobile market. In the U.S., mobile ad spend is only three percent of total advertising spending, which is far below ad spending on traditional Internet, TV, print or even radio.

For site owners incapable of monetizing their own mobile traffic directly, there is a high demand for mobile traffic, because advertisers are spending more per click in mobile than on web display traffic — and with the advent of easier methods of payment via mobile, transactions are on the rise. That makes sending your mobile traffic to a company that has a solid monetization platform already in place to pay you what your mobile traffic is worth is the easiest way for any site owner to start cashing in on mobile traffic immediately.

To sum up the status of mobile traffic succinctly, as an ad network you must offer your traffic partners the full freedom to use your marketplace to monetize their mobile or traditional traffic in whatever way that earns them the most. After all, mobile traffic does in general is a lot less important than what it can do for you and your own bank account when you optimize it and monetize it with trusted networks.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Katie

Katie is the ultimate girl’s girl. As community manager at Chaturbate, she answers DMs, remembers names, and shows up for creators and fellow businesswomen when it counts. She’s quick to credit the people around her, and careful to make space for others in every room she enters.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

How to Stay Legally Protected When Policies Get Outdated

The adult industry has long operated in a complex legal environment subject to rapid change. Now, a confluence of age verification laws, lawsuits, credit card processing and data privacy rules has created an urgent need for all industry participants — from major platforms to independent creators — to review and potentially overhaul their legal and operational policies.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

From Compliance Chaos to Crypto Clarity: Making the Case for Digital Payments in Adult

These are uncertain times for adult merchants. With compliance tightening and age verification mandates rising, the barrier to entry keeps getting higher.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Real-Time Insights to Streamline E-Payments and Stop Lost Sales

A slow checkout process is more than just annoying — it’s expensive. In a high-risk sector like the adult industry, even small delays or declined transactions can cost businesses thousands in lost revenue every month.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

FSC's Valentine Leads Charge for Sex Worker Rights and Financial Access

Before ever stepping into a courtroom, Valentine already understood the power of presence. After all, they’ve shimmied on stages as a burlesque performer, consulted behind the scenes for creative businesses and moved through the adult industry not just as an advocate, but as a participant.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Breaking Down HB 805 and How it Affects the Adult Industry

North Carolina House Bill 805 was enacted July 29, after the state legislature overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto. The provisions that relate to the adult industry, imposing requirements for age verification, consent and content removal, are scheduled to become effective Dec. 1. Platforms have until then to update their policies and systems to comply with the new regulations.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Staying Compliant With Payment Standards Across Europe and Australia

So, you’ve got your eye on international growth. Smart move. No matter where adult-industry merchants operate, however, one requirement remains consistent: regulatory compliance. This isn’t just a legal checkbox — it’s a critical component of keeping payments flowing and business operations intact.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How to Avoid Copyright Pitfalls When Using Music in Adult Content

When creating an adult video, bringing your vision to life often means assembling just the right ingredients — including the right music. However, adding music to adult content can raise complex legal and ethical issues.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

New Visa Rules Adult Merchants Need to Know

In December 2024, I shared an update on the upcoming rollout of Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program, also known as VAMP. The final version went into effect in June, and enforcement will begin in October. With just a month to go, now is the time to review what’s changing and how to stay compliant.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser

With her fiery red hair and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.

Women in Adult ·
Show More