> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tmniche-docs.keywordrush.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tmniche-docs.keywordrush.com/core-concepts/monetization-models.md).

# Monetization models

You choose a **monetization model** when you create a plan, and it's the most consequential choice you make. It reshapes everything downstream — the topics TMN plans, the article formats it favors, and the blocks it builds into each article.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**The model is fixed for the life of a plan — it can't be changed afterward.** To use a different model, create a new plan. So pick the one that matches how this site makes money.
{% endhint %}

## The dividing line: products vs. profiles

Every model comes down to *how the article makes money* — by recommending **products**, or by driving an action through a **profile**.

**Product-based models** put product blocks in articles — product cards, comparison tables, pros & cons, ratings. What differs is where the products come from:

* **Affiliate** — real products pulled from affiliate networks (Amazon, Walmart, eBay, …).
* **E-commerce** — products from your own catalog via a product feed; links go to your store, not a marketplace.
* **Display ads** — no real products needed; TMN can synthesize representative products so you can still run product-style articles for traffic.

**Profile-based models** make money through **conversion blocks** instead — CTA, pricing, testimonials, and trust signals — hydrated from a [profile](/core-concepts/profiles.md) you fill in once:

* **Lead generation** — a **Business Profile** for a service business.
* **SaaS / Digital** — an **Offer Profile** for a software product, course, or other digital offer.

These articles can still include **product blocks** where they help the content (comparisons, roundups) — the products are AI-synthesized and can even link to real merchant sites. The difference is that the *monetization* runs through the profile's CTAs and pricing, not the products.

## The five models at a glance

| Model               | Best for                             | What powers the content                               | Content Egg                   |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Affiliate marketing | Commission on others' products       | Real products from affiliate networks                 | **Pro** (auto product search) |
| E-commerce          | Selling your own catalog             | Your product feed (WooCommerce, Shopify, any)         | **Feed module** (Free or Pro) |
| Display ads         | Ad revenue from traffic              | Info-first content; synthesized products where useful | Free is enough                |
| Lead generation     | Inquiries for a service business     | A Business Profile                                    | Free is enough                |
| SaaS / Digital      | Trials & sales for a digital product | An Offer Profile                                      | Free is enough                |

Content Egg is required for **every** model — it renders the blocks. The last column shows what each model needs *beyond* that; see [Free vs Pro](/content-egg-integration/free-vs-pro.md).

## Pick your model

* [**Affiliate marketing**](/monetization-playbooks/affiliate.md) — recommend third-party products and earn commission; TMN finds and ranks real products for your reviews and roundups.
* [**E-commerce**](/monetization-playbooks/ecommerce.md) — turn your own catalog into content that sends shoppers to your product pages.
* [**Display ads**](/monetization-playbooks/display-ads.md) — build traffic-first content structured for ad revenue.
* [**Lead generation**](/monetization-playbooks/lead-generation.md) — turn search traffic into calls and inquiries for a service business.
* [**SaaS & digital products**](/monetization-playbooks/saas-digital.md) — content-led growth that funnels readers to a trial or checkout.