After facing suspensions on stricter platforms like Google and Microsoft, an affiliate marketer’s gaze naturally turns to more affiliate-friendly networks. RichAds is often mentioned, but is it the right choice? This RichAds review digs into its controversial 2.9 Trustpilot rating.

Does this mean the network should be avoided? Not necessarily. But it does mean you need to approach it with open eyes and a clear, cautious strategy.

Decoding the 2.9 Rating: A Tale of Two User Types

An “Average” rating for an ad network is almost always the result of the experiences of two completely different groups of users.

1. Negative Reviews (1-2 Stars): The “Burned Budget”

Reading through the negative reviews, a common theme emerges:

• “Fake/bot traffic”: A user launches a campaign, gets hundreds of clicks but zero conversions, and concludes that all the traffic is fake.
• “No conversions”: An individual spends their entire deposit ($150), sees no profit, and blames the platform.

This is the typical experience of a newcomer to push traffic who doesn’t understand its primary rule: traffic must be “cleaned.”

They launch a campaign across all available sources (and there are thousands), hit “junk” placements, lose their money, and go to write an angry review.

2. Positive Reviews (4-5 Stars): The “Optimization” Experience

Positive reviews, as a rule, are left by experienced media buyers. They praise:

• “Outstanding results”: These users know how to work with data.
• “Great Account Managers”: They actively communicate with support to get whitelists (lists of the best-performing sources).
• “Cool tools”: They utilize the optimization tools that the platform provides.

Conclusion from the Review Analysis

RichAds is not a “magic button.” It is a powerful but complex tool. Success on the platform depends less on the platform itself and more on your ability to use it correctly.

Does this change my recommendation? No, but it makes it much more cautious and specific.

RichAds still remains one of the best options for your first test of push traffic, precisely because it provides the tools that can help you avoid the fate of those who leave negative reviews.

Final Recommendation: How to Work with RichAds (Considering the Risks)

A 2.9 rating isn’t a reason to give up, but a reminder to act as intelligently as possible.

1. Treat the $150 deposit as a high-risk investment. Be prepared to lose this money in exchange for invaluable experience and data.
2. USE PERFORMANCE MODE! This is your primary defense. This mode automatically uses an internal whitelist of the network’s best sources. It immediately protects you from the worst traffic where 90% of beginners “burn out.” Do not start with manual mode.
3. Set a smart budget. Critically important: set your budget according to the offer’s cap. For the “Survey Authority” offer (max daily earnings ~$26.25), your daily budget should not exceed $15-20. This gives you a chance to be profitable.
4. Talk to your manager. Immediately after launching the campaign, write to support. Say: “I am a beginner, I launched a campaign [name] on a Survey offer for the USA in Performance Mode. Can you offer any advice or provide a verified whitelist for this setup?”. This will show that you are serious and they will help you.