Welcome to our guide on the Ad Categories app, a feature provided by Ezoic that allows you to control which categories of ads are displayed on your site. Similar to AdSense or Google AdExchange, this tool enables you to block specific 'sensitive' ad categories, ensuring that your site aligns with your content preferences and audience sensitivities. In this article, we'll cover how to access and utilize the Ad Categories feature, the default blocked categories, and the implications of blocking additional ad categories on your site’s revenue potential.

The Ad Categories feature in Ezoic enables users to manage which types of advertisements are displayed on their websites. This functionality is analogous to the way AdSense or Google AdExchange operates, providing a level of control to block certain 'sensitive' ad categories that may not align with the website's content or audience preferences.

To access this feature, navigate to EzoicAds > Ad Restrictions. Under Ad Categories Blocked, users can see a list of different ad categories and a pencil icon next to each. By clicking on the pencil icon, users are taken to a screen where they can toggle the visibility of specific ad categories. It is crucial to remember to save any changes made in this screen to ensure that the selected settings are applied.

By default, categories such as 'Social Casino Games', 'References to Sex', and 'Sexual & Reproductive Health' are automatically blocked. However, users have the option to enable these categories if they wish, depending on their site's policy and audience requirements.

It is important to consider the impact of blocking ad categories on potential revenue. The more categories that are blocked, the fewer ad options are available for the site. This limitation can potentially decrease the overall revenue generated from ads, as there will be fewer advertisements competing for space on the site. Therefore, it's advisable to strike a balance between maintaining appropriate content and optimizing ad revenue.

When using the Ad Categories feature in Ezoic, consider the following best practices to optimize your site's ad performance and revenue:

1. Evaluate Ad Categories Carefully: Before blocking any ad categories, evaluate whether the content truly conflicts with your site's audience or values. Blocking too many categories can significantly reduce the number of available ads and thus your potential revenue.
2. Balance Sensitivity and Revenue: While it is important to block ads that may be sensitive or inappropriate for your audience, balancing this with your revenue goals is crucial. Understand that blocking categories such as 'Social Casino Games,' 'References to Sex,' and 'Sexual & Reproductive Health' is an option, but enabling them might increase ad diversity and revenue potential.
3. Regularly Review Settings: Periodically review your ad category settings to ensure they still align with your site's content and audience. The online advertising landscape can change, and so might the categories that are suitable for your site.
4. Use Analytics for Informed Decisions: Leverage your site's analytics to make informed decisions about which categories to block or unblock. Monitor the impact of these adjustments on your site's overall performance and revenue to find an optimal balance.
5. Save and Confirm Changes: After making any changes to your ad category settings, always ensure you save your selections. Confirm that the changes have been applied correctly by revisiting the settings or checking the ad content on your site.

By following these best practices, you can effectively manage ad categories in Ezoic to align with your site's values while optimizing for revenue.