What Are The Differences Between Ad Network and SSP?

An ad network is a platform that connects advertisers with publishers to serve ads on websites or mobile apps. Ad networks typically offer various ad formats, such as display ads, video ads, and native ads, and provide tools for targeting specific audiences. Ad networks usually charge advertisers a fee for placing ads, and pay publishers a share of the revenue generated from the ads.

A supply-side platform (SSP) is a platform that enables publishers to sell ad inventory through real-time bidding (RTB) auctions to advertisers or ad networks. SSPs provide publishers with tools to manage and optimize the yield of their ad inventory, and allow them to connect to multiple demand sources, such as ad exchanges and demand-side platforms (DSPs), through a single interface. Publishers typically use SSPs to increase the competitiveness of their ad inventory in the RTB marketplace and maximize the revenue they earn from their ad space.

In summary, ad networks and SSPs are both platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of online advertising, but they operate on different sides of the market. Ad networks work with advertisers to place ads with publishers, while SSPs help publishers sell their ad inventory to advertisers or ad networks