Raptive (Formerly AdThrive) Requirements: Complete Guide

Raptive: The Premium Tier

Raptive (rebranded from AdThrive in 2023) sits at the top of the ad network hierarchy for independent publishers. With RPMs often exceeding $20-40 for US traffic, they represent the gold standard in display advertising. But reaching their threshold requires significant traffic and maintaining high content standards.

What sets Raptive apart from other networks is their holistic approach to creator success. Beyond ad optimization, they offer tools for SEO, social media strategy, and business growth. They position themselves as a creator-first company, which influences everything from their revenue share model to their support structure.

Traffic Requirements

Raptive requires a minimum of 100,000 monthly pageviews, with the majority coming from the US, Canada, UK, or Australia. This is a hard cutoff — applications below this threshold are automatically declined without review. Some publishers report needing to sustain this level for 2-3 consecutive months before applying.

Quality matters as much as quantity. Raptive analyzes your Google Analytics data thoroughly. They want to see consistent, organic traffic growth rather than viral spikes that may not sustain. A site averaging 120K pageviews with steady month-over-month growth is more attractive than one that hit 150K once from a Reddit post but normally sits at 60K.

Traffic source diversity is evaluated carefully. Sites overly dependent on a single traffic channel (even organic search) may be viewed as risky. Ideally, you want a healthy mix of organic search (50-70%), direct traffic (15-25%), and social/referral (10-20%). This indicates a genuine, engaged audience rather than algorithm-dependent traffic.

Content & Quality Standards

Raptive has strict content policies. Your site must feature original, well-written content with proper grammar and formatting. They particularly favor long-form evergreen content that performs well in search. Articles should demonstrate expertise and provide genuine value — no thin affiliate review posts or keyword-stuffed filler content.

Brand safety is paramount for Raptive. They work with premium advertisers including Fortune 500 companies who demand safe environments. Any controversial, political, or adult-adjacent content may result in rejection regardless of traffic levels. Review their content policy carefully before applying — certain niches like gambling, weapons, or explicit health topics may be problematic.

Visual quality matters too. Raptive reviewers notice image quality, formatting consistency, and overall design polish. Sites with stock photo overuse, poorly formatted posts, or outdated designs may be asked to improve before acceptance. Invest in original photography or high-quality custom graphics where possible.

Technical Requirements

• Google Analytics installed: They verify traffic through your GA account — both GA4 and Universal Analytics are accepted
• SSL certificate: HTTPS across all pages with no mixed content warnings
• Good site speed: Core Web Vitals in the green or yellow range for most pages
• Mobile responsive: Clean, functional experience on all devices and screen sizes
• No malware or redirects: Clean security profile verified through Google Safe Browsing
• Clean ad setup: No pop-ups, pop-unders, or aggressive ad formats from other networks
• Proper site architecture: Clear categories, working internal links, and logical URL structure

The Application and Review Process

Raptive's application process is thorough. You'll submit your site URL, Google Analytics access, and information about your content and audience. A dedicated reviewer examines your site manually, checking content quality, traffic patterns, and technical health.

The review process typically takes 2-4 weeks. During this time, continue publishing regularly and avoid making dramatic changes to your site. If your application is successful, you'll be assigned an account manager who guides you through the onboarding process.

If rejected, Raptive usually provides specific feedback about what to improve. Take this feedback seriously — publishers who address the identified issues and reapply after 2-3 months have a high success rate on their second attempt.

What Sets Raptive Apart

Beyond higher RPMs, Raptive offers dedicated account managers who know your site personally, a creator-first approach with tools for SEO and business growth, access to exclusive advertiser relationships, and a supportive community of fellow publishers. They pay on a NET 45 basis with reliable, on-time payments — an important consideration for publishers who depend on ad revenue.

Their ad technology is also top-tier. Raptive's ad wrapper is continuously optimized, with features like automatic lazy loading, viewability optimization, and intelligent refresh that maximizes revenue without publisher intervention. Their video player is particularly strong, offering additional revenue opportunities for publishers who create video content.

If you're not yet at 100K pageviews, focus on growing your traffic sustainably while optimizing your site. Run an audit to see where you stand relative to Raptive's standards and work toward closing any gaps systematically.