Dappier, an AI startup focused on helping publishers monetize their content, is venturing into advertising with a new approach to banner ads—making them interactive. By embedding its AI-powered chatbot, Ask AI, directly into ad units, Dappier offers audiences the ability to engage with content more deeply while unlocking additional revenue opportunities for publishers.
Interactive ads powered by AI
Dappier’s innovative ad units incorporate Ask AI, a chatbot already used by publishers, directly into online banners. This integration allows readers to ask questions related to the content they’re viewing, providing both a more engaging experience and valuable data for advertisers.
The company is partnering with the ad network Consumable to distribute the new ad format. Major players like Google, Multimerica Media, and Q1 Media are preparing to launch campaigns using Dappier’s interactive ads.
“We’re giving publishers tools to create more engaging and profitable opportunities,” said Dan Goikhman, CEO of Dappier, before the ad format’s debut at CES. “These ads offer contextual engagement, delivering insights and value to advertisers.”
Growth and market adoption
Following a $2 million seed funding round in 2024, Dappier is one of the latest AI companies entering the advertising space. Its AI chatbot Ask AI, launched in December 2024, now powers over 50 million monthly queries through partnerships with publishers like HomeLife Brands, Bizbudding, and Morgan Murphy Media.
Nearly 100 websites across news, sports, and lifestyle categories are already testing Dappier’s AI ad units. Among them is HomeLife Brands, a pet-focused media and ecommerce platform with 25 million monthly users.
Monetization opportunities for publishers
Marshall Morris, co-founder and president of HomeLife Brands, highlighted the monetization potential of these AI-powered ads. Ask AI helps publishers address unmet content needs by analyzing user queries.
“When we identify gaps in the content users are searching for, we can create new material to fill those gaps,” Morris explained.
Additionally, premium sponsorships—such as pet food companies sponsoring dog-related queries—build credibility and foster data-sharing opportunities. This approach enhances revenue while strengthening relationships between advertisers and publishers.
“We need to maximize traffic monetization,” Morris said. “Most publishers don’t have internal AI teams, so having a partner like Dappier brings ready-to-use solutions.”
How it works: engaging, AI-driven ads
Instead of relying on static banners or videos, Dappier’s interactive ads allow users to:
- Ask follow-up questions related to the content they’re reading.
- Click on sponsored prompts that lead to relevant articles or products.
Goikhman noted that Ask AI typically generates three to four queries per session, creating more opportunities for engagement and monetization.
Advertisers can leverage sponsored prompts and commerce-enabled units to target content effectively. The ad model operates on CPM pricing, with rates ranging between $5 and $15. Dappier also takes a revenue share when publishers monetize through its AI-driven ads.
AI ads redefining digital advertising
Dappier’s entry into interactive advertising reflects a broader trend in AI adoption for ad monetization. With competitors like Prorata exploring ad sales and OpenAI experimenting with ad-driven revenue models, AI-powered ads are becoming central to digital marketing strategies.
Dappier’s ads aim to deliver richer user experiences, valuable insights for advertisers, and scalable monetization tools for publishers. By combining AI technology with traditional advertising models, Dappier is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving digital ad landscape.
Source: Adweek
