RPM drop notes should separate traffic mix from monetization model

A bridge note connecting display ad RPM interpretation to broader monetization choices.

RPM drops are easy to overread. A lower RPM can come from country mix, seasonality, mobile layout, page topic, ad demand, or a shift from decision-intent pages to broad informational traffic. That is why the AdSense-vs-affiliate decision should not be made from one sitewide RPM number. Page clusters need to be separated: informational pages may stay display-ad oriented, while comparison or setup pages may deserve affiliate tests. The useful report is not “RPM is down.” It is which page type changed, which visitor mix changed, and whether the page had buyer intent in the first place.