Advertising on WeSearch — frequently asked questions

Does WeSearch use Google AdSense or third-party ad networks?

No. WeSearch sells first-party contextual sponsorships only. There is no AdSense, Meta pixel, real-time bidding auction, or third-party ad script on reader pages.

Is advertising on WeSearch behavioral or retargeting-based?

No. Placements are contextual: selection uses the page or topic someone is viewing, never a profile of their reading history or off-site behavior.

Can sponsors pay to rank or influence news stories?

No. An editorial firewall separates sponsorship from story ordering, Blindspots, source inclusion, summaries, moderation, search, and editorial standards.

How much does it cost to advertise on WeSearch?

Front-page starts at $99/day or $549/week. Founding Sponsor Beta is $99 for 10,000 viewable impressions. Timeframe packages run $49–$4,999. CPM options: $10 run-of-site, $14 topic, $18 front-page. See /advertise/pricing — all buyable with Stripe.

What is a viewable impression?

A viewable impression requires at least 50% of the sponsor card visible for one continuous second while the page is visible (MRC/IAB display baseline). We sell viewable impressions, not raw loads.

Where do sponsor cards appear?

Inline after the sixth story on the front page and eligible topic surfaces. Never on individual story pages, Blindspots, search, comments, donation pages, or emergency alerts. No sticky ads, pop-ups, or autoplay video.

Do advertisers receive reader data?

No. Creative is hosted by WeSearch. Clicks go through a WeSearch redirect. Advertisers do not receive reader cookies, IPs, or profiles from WeSearch.

How do I start a campaign?

Pick a package on /advertise, fill the short form, and click Pay with Stripe. Automated policy checks run first; payment opens Stripe Checkout immediately. Your campaign goes live after payment. You can upload an image anytime from the dashboard.

Can I buy a sponsorship instantly with Stripe?

Yes. Self-serve timeframe packages and Founding Sponsor support instant Stripe Checkout. Pay now, go live after payment—no waiting on a sales call.

What file types are accepted for ad creative?

PNG, JPEG, and WebP up to 2MB. WeSearch re-encodes images. SVG, GIF, HTML, JavaScript, and video are not accepted.

When do I pay?

Yes — self-serve packages open Stripe Checkout immediately after automated policy checks. Pay now; the campaign goes live after payment. You can also submit for manual review only if you prefer.

Can I advertise political campaigns or gambling?

No. Political candidates/committees, gambling, weapons, tobacco, adult content, and other categories listed in policies are prohibited.

Where can I see who has advertised?

The public transparency archive at /advertise/transparency lists active and completed sponsorships for at least one year.

Is WeSearch still donation-funded?

Yes. Reader donations remain a core funding path at /donate. Contextual sponsorships are an additional, clearly labeled revenue stream that cannot override editorial decisions.