How to Target Ads on a Specific URL in 2025? [Best Practices Included]

This post was most recently updated on February 24th, 2025

One of the many ways you can maximize the revenue of your site is by targeting an ad on a specific URL with substantial traffic.

To target ads on specific URLs for enhanced site revenue, you can use key-value targeting in Google Ad Manager in WordPress. In Google Ad Manager, create key-value pairs and include them in Google Publisher Tags, with options for both ad slot-level and page-level targeting. Line items are then configured to target these key values. In WordPress, using the Advanced Ads plugin allows targeting ads to specific URLs by placing the ad code in a block and whitelisting URLs.

Serving the right and profitable ad to the right audience can result in better and higher earning potential. There are several ways we can target ads on specific URLs, depending on what publishers use to implement or show ads on the site. We’ve explained more about this in detail below on how to target the right audience and optimize ad placement for better revenue outcomes.

Key-Value Targeting in Google Ad Manager

Key-value targeting is a feature offered by Google Ads Manager that allows you to display tags in pages where you would want it to appear. Below are the steps on how to set up key values and target specific pages in GAM:

• Create a key-value pair

• In Google Ad Manager click on Inventory > Key-values > New Key-value.
• Enter a Name for the key and a Display name
• Select a Value type

Dynamic: Users will enter targeting values when creating line items or checking inventory.

Predefined: Keys and their values are static and don’t change based on the information of a particular user.

• On Report on values, select how the key-value appears in reports
• Go to the Targeting values > New values
• Enter one or multiple values
• Click Save.

• Include key-values in Google Publisher Tags (GPT)

There are two methods in key-value targeting :

Ad Slot level targeting – Allows you to set key values for individual ad slots on your page. After passing the key values, the line items targeted to the KVP below will be eligible to serve on the ad slot.

Page-level targeting – Allows you to set key values across all ad slots on your page.

Below is an example of a script with ad slot-level and page-level targeting:

• Target key-values in line items

Follow the below steps to get started with targeting the specific pages or ad slots of a page in Google Ad Manager

• From the left-hand side menu click on Delivery > Order
• Select the Line item that you want to target.
• Scroll down to the Add Targeting section and go to Custom Targeting
• Select the Key from the dropdown and enter the values

And/Or feature allows you to create different sets of key-values while “is not” prohibits the ads from appearing on a specific area of a web page

• Save the setting once done

Advanced Ads in WordPress

The Advanced Ads plugin for WordPress streamlines ad management, offering a user-friendly solution for targeting specific URLs without requiring coding expertise. Here’s a breakdown of how to leverage its features effectively:

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1. Install and Set Up Advanced Ads

• Install the Plugin: Navigate to Plugins > Add New in WordPress, search for “Advanced Ads,” and install/activate it.
• Create an Ad:
  • Go to Advanced Ads > Add New.
  • Input your ad code (e.g., HTML/JavaScript from Google AdSense) or upload media (banners, videos).
  • Configure ad settings (size, alignment, visibility).

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2. URL Targeting via Display Conditions

• Set Display Rules:
  • Under the ad editor, locate the Display Conditions section.
  • Select URL from the condition dropdown.
  • Specify target URLs (e.g., /blog/ for all blog posts) or use wildcards (e.g., /blog/* for subpages).
  • Example: To show an ad only on yoursite.com/reviews/, add the path /reviews/.
• Combine Conditions: Enhance targeting by mixing URL rules with other criteria (e.g., user device, logged-in status).

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3. Place the Ad Using Blocks

• Block Editor Integration:
  • Advanced Ads provides a custom block (e.g., “Ad Unit”) in the Gutenberg editor.
  • While editing a post/page, insert the block where the ad should appear (e.g., after a paragraph, in the sidebar).
• Assign the Ad to the Block:
  • In the block settings, choose the ad you created from the dropdown.
  • The ad will now render in that block location, but only on URLs matching your display conditions.

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4. Advanced Placement Options

• Automatic Injections: Use Placements (e.g., “Before Content”) to auto-insert ads site-wide, then restrict them to specific URLs via conditions.
• Widgets & Shortcodes: For non-block areas (e.g., footer), place ads via widgets or shortcodes, still applying URL targeting.

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5. Best Practices & Tips

• Test URLs: After setup, visit targeted pages to ensure ads display correctly.
• Avoid Overloading: Use URL targeting to limit ads on high-value pages (e.g., product reviews) while keeping others clutter-free.
• Layer Targeting: Combine URL rules with geolocation or user behavior for higher relevance (e.g., show promo ads on /specials/ to returning visitors).

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Why Advanced Ads Stands Out

• Precision: Place ads exactly where needed, both visually (via blocks) and contextually (via URLs).
• No Coding: Intuitive UI eliminates the need for developers.
• Performance: Reduce bounce rates by showing relevant ads on tailored pages.

By integrating Advanced Ads with WordPress blocks and URL conditions, you maintain a clean, engaging site while maximizing ad revenue through strategic targeting.

For more information on key values and targeting you may check these blog articles below:

https://www.monetizemore.com/blog/how-create-key-value-pairs-google-ad-manager/

PubGuru Key Value Pairs Explained

Need help optimizing your ad revenue? You may contact our ad revenue experts for a free consultation.