In search feed arbitrage, you can abandon all that you know about traditional CPA offers – here the show is run by feed providers with their unique profit calculations. Instead of chasing leads and sales, your success boils down to one electrifying principle: "bring more clicks, earn more cash!" Sounds simple on the surface, but don't be fooled. This niche is incredibly nuanced and worlds apart from classic arbitrage approaches.
Today we’ll figure out how search feed arbitrage actually works, discover the essential tools and winning strategies you'll need to conquer this field and see what it costs to kick things off.
What is Search Feed Arbitrage and How Does it Work?
Search feed arbitrage is a smart revenue model where webmasters buy traffic on the cheap and flip it for profit through search feeds. It works like this: you funnel visitors to paid search engines – Google, Bing, Yahoo – where they click on ads. Each click puts money in your pocket!
Example of a search feed page in the early 2000s (before Google). Source: Nativehub
Let's take an example to see this in action: you are pulling organic traffic from TikTok. Someone watches your video, checks out your profile, hits the link in your bio and lands on your page with a search feed. When they click an ad on that page, voila – you profit! No need for sales, deposits or sign-ups. Your earnings come directly from the gap between your cheap or organic traffic source and what search engines like Google, Yahoo or Bing pay you for those clicks.
So why do these search giants play ball? It's pure business sense: they make their money from advertising. However, they can't just magically make users search more for "solar panels" or "health insurance." That's where you come in! Search engines team up with webmasters like you who bring in fresh traffic that engages with paid ads on Google, Bing or Yahoo.
What users see in reality is a search feed with various keyword queries (check out the screenshot below) containing links to advertiser websites hosted by the big search engines. When someone clicks one of these queries, Google counts it as a regular paid search click and charges the advertiser accordingly.
It's a triple win scenario: advertisers get customers, search engines rake in revenue from extra traffic and you pocket the difference between what you paid and what you earned. Your success depends on driving quality traffic that generates clicks and maintains a strong EPC (earnings per click).
Where to Get Search Feeds
To start driving traffic to a search feed, you first need access – and that's only happening through feed providers.
Here is the backstory: since 2012, Google cut off direct feed access to arbitrageurs and assigned control to their trusted middlemen – feed providers. These guys now decide who gets feeds and on what terms. They handle the dirty work too: filter traffic, check its quality and manage your payments. Essentially, feed providers act like affiliate programs, except instead of specific offers, they give you feeds or, in other words, pages displaying search results for particular keywords. Here are some extra perks that feed providers bring to the table:
Detailed stats on your profits, conversions and GEO performance;
Support from personal account managers;
Access to premium keywords you can't get as a regular webmaster, etc.
Right now, the leading feed providers in the market are Sedo, Tonic, System1, ads.com and OBMedia.
Getting in isn't easy – you'll face a tough questionnaire asking about your minimum ad budget, traffic quality, previous arbitrage experience and more. This screening happens because providers only want skilled partners as they work with major search engines and need to maintain conversion rates for paying advertisers.
One crucial thing to understand: in search feed arbitrage, you can't work directly with advertisers, and getting feeds straight from search engines is practically impossible. You'd either need massive turnover (we're talking tens of millions annually) or a rock-solid reputation with proven payment history. That's why basically all arbitrageurs rely on feed providers to make this model work.
How to Choose an Offer in Search Feed Arbitrage
There is no traditional concept of an offer in search feed arbitrage. Instead, you are working with feeds that you customize for specific keywords. To put it simply, your "offer" isn't a physical product but rather a collection of search queries where you funnel traffic. This flips the selection process on its head: you start by picking a country, then a niche, and finally, the keywords.
When choosing a country, focus on places where you understand how people think and shop. This insight helps you spot problems or desires in that population, so you can figure out which solutions will grab their attention.
After locking in your country, it's time to pick a niche. Knowing your target GEO and what's in demand there makes this way easier. Generally, niches with high-value leads tend to work well in search feed arbitrage: finance, medicine, law, insurance and anything in the sustainability field (solar panels, electric vehicles, etc.). Just know these niches are battlegrounds (super competitive!), so always test some alternatives alongside them. Whatever niche you choose, demand is absolutely critical.
Example of a page with RSOC format search feed. Source Nativehub
For keywords, search feed arbitrage follows similar rules to PPC advertising. High-frequency keywords attract more competition and higher bids, while low-frequency ones are cheaper and less crowded.
A good starting point for keyword selection is solid market research to understand what consumers need. Then use spy tools to uncover trends and popular searches. Once you've built your keyword list, take it to your feed provider's manager for refinement. Their expertise can help you trim the fat and choose the most effective options for driving quality traffic.
Traffic Sources for Search Feed Arbitrage
You can't just use any traffic source you want in search feed arbitrage. Push and popunder traffic, for instance, are complete no-gos, and as for in-app traffic – it is typically rejected by feed providers. Why? These sources produce low-quality visitors who barely interact with ads and fall short of what search engine advertisers demand. But we’ve got you covered! Top-performing traffic sources in 2025 are:
Native to Search (Taboola, Outbrain, MGID)
In this method, traffic is sourced from native ad networks. The flow works like this: user clicks your native ad → lands on your page with affiliate links → moves to an advertiser buying PPC traffic. You earn money on that final click. Native advertising networks deliver reliability, predictability, massive traffic volume and minimal risk. Perfect if you're building a sustainable, long-term traffic strategy.
Search feed arbitrage remains somewhat secretive, with only basic info available publicly. For those wanting deeper knowledge and expert insights, Native Hub is your best choice. They offer real-world case studies on native and search arbitrage plus a complete tutorial library to help you master advanced techniques in this field.
Social to Search (Meta, TikTok)
This classic arbitrage strategy directs traffic from social platforms to your landing page (in this case, to the search feed). It works brilliantly for testing broad audiences and delivers solid results when users are properly engaged and warmed up beforehand.
Search to Search
The following approach implies buying keywords from one search engine (like Yahoo) and flipping them to another (like Google) at a higher price. The main idea here is to exploit the difference in bid prices: when keywords are strategically selected, the gap between what you pay per click (CPC) and what you earn per click (RPC) will bring you profit.
Display to Search
Here you purchase “cold” traffic from display advertising networks like Google Display Network, DV360, etc. A user sees your creative, clicks it, lands on your page with search results and selects a relevant query. From there, it follows the standard path: user clicks a sponsored link and you collect your share of the monetization.
Types of Funnels in Search Feed Arbitrage
Funnels in search arbitrage completely depend on the type of search feed your keywords connect to. Another important factor is the number of steps a user takes before clicking that search ad. More steps means lower conversion rates (CR), but you are more likely to bypass algorithms and get higher-quality traffic.
0-Click / 1-Click
Someone clicks your ad and lands directly on a page with limited search results or sponsored links – formats often associated with sketchy stuff like malware or fraud. This method is often used in Search to Search and Native to Search models.
2-Click (Google AFD / AFS)
After clicking your ad, the visitor reaches a page with a search box and pre-selected keywords. They enter a query or pick a keyword → get redirected to Google with search ads displayed. When they click an ad, you earn money (what insiders call a "Click Out"). This funnel works beautifully for Social to Search, Native to Search and Display to Search strategies.
2-Click / 3-Click (RSOC – New Model)
In this scenario, users are initially brought to actual content, for example, an informative article. Strategically placed within this content are keywords or a search box that takes them to Google results, sometimes with an extra step in between. This method improves user engagement and considerably reduces your chances of getting penalized by search engines. You'll see this transition technique crushing it in Native to Search and Social to Search setups.
How Search Feed Arbitrage Payments Are Calculated
In classic arbitrage, webmasters get paid a fixed amount per lead or take a percentage of sales. But search feed arbitrage breaks from the norm – your earnings come from clicks on ads and these payments fluctuate constantly as cost-per-click rates shift. Just imagine this paradox: you might bank $1 for an ad click in the morning, then only pocket $0.5 for the exact same ad click that evening. While swings aren't usually that dramatic, you'll definitely see differences week-to-week or month-to-month.
But here's the mind-blowing part… In classic arbitrage, lower bids work in your favour. But search feed arbitrage works completely opposite – higher bids mean fatter payouts for you. How is that even possible? Because when advertisers pay more per click (higher CPC), the feed provider gets a bigger commission, which translates to larger payouts landing in your account.
How Much Money You Need to Enter a Niche
The required budget depends on your traffic source: lower cost per click means a lower entry point. That said, aim for at least a €1,000 daily testing budget regardless of traffic source. And don't forget to factor in potential bans and scaling time – they'll impact your bottom line.
TikTok (conditionally free traffic, organic traffic). You can jump in with minimal cash, mainly spending on creating ad content and buying accounts. Perfect for initial testing, but don't count on stability here.
TikTok Ads and Facebook Ads. Both platforms can deliver killer click-through rates (CTR) when you nail the approach. But the downside is you’ll have to fight strict moderation, unpredictable rates and frequent account bans that can crush your campaign before it turns profitable. The upside? Testing happens fast – you'll see results within a few days.
Native Ads (MGID, Taboola, Outbrain). Native traffic costs more and targets less precisely than social platforms. But it delivers something crucial: stability and higher conversion rates, which is perfect for long-term strategies. However, testing native ads requires a completely different mindset.
For instance, you can’t just launch a few campaigns and wait for magic to happen. Instead, spread your budget across many smaller campaigns ($50-$100 each). This approach takes time, you might need weeks of testing. Trust us, it’s worth it: you can carefully distribute traffic, analyze what's working and dial in your strategy.
Tips for testing native ad campaigns: If losses stay under 30%, keep optimizing – there's potential there. If losses exceed 30%, choose a new niche or adjust your keywords.
Different testing models exist, but an aggressive, proactive approach typically beats slow and cautious testing. This strategy puts you on track for stable profitability within 2-4 months.
Peculiarities of Working with Search Arbitrage
At first glance, search feed arbitrage looks like a simple plan: buy low, sell high. But in reality, it's one of the most complex niches out there, loaded with critical details you need to master.
Quality of Traffic Is Crucial
Google and feed providers constantly monitor post-click performance. If users bounce immediately after clicking an ad, your traffic gets flagged as low-quality (basically skimming Google's paid ads). The result might be lower payments or even account shutdowns. So high-quality traffic is your lifeline to avoid these penalties.
Diverse Providers Are Essential
There is no magic formula for finding the perfect feed provider – only testing reveals who works best for you. Provider payouts constantly shift due to advertiser bid changes and Google algorithm updates. A provider delivering amazing monetization today might tank tomorrow. That's why you need multiple providers and smart traffic splitting.
For example, Sedo stands out as one of the oldest players in the game, particularly effective when testing European markets. When choosing providers, consider their history (established companies bring fewer surprises) and reviews (payment denials are massive red flags).
Copying Others' Strategies Won't Work
Spy tools do offer valuable insights, but not ready-to-use solutions. Every campaign has unique elements – traffic source, audience, payout terms – so what works for others likely won't work for you. Yes, you can still watch your competitors for ideas, but keep in mind that without testing and adapting to your specific situation, you are setting up for failure.
Keeping Up with Market Trends Is Non-Negotiable
This might seem obvious, but staying current on trends is of utmost importance. Constantly research emerging GEOs, products and services in demand. Ignoring market developments will quickly sink your profitability.
Use Reliable Tools
Find yourself some proven tools to handle key tasks, such as keyword collection, traffic tracking and automation. Tools like the ClickFlare tracker and the Optimizer automation tool are top choices for search feed arbitrage. Both were developed by the team behind STM Forum and the Affiliate World conference, so you can be sure they are perfectly suited for this niche.
iGaming Doesn't Fit Search Feed Arbitrage
Search feed arbitrage simply doesn't work for iGaming. This niche demands aggressive funnels that engage and nurture users, while search feed arbitrage delivers dry traffic focused solely on clicks. Without emotional engagement or interaction, conversion rates on deposits remain practically nonexistent.
The only exception is RSOC, where you build user engagement through content rather than sending traffic to generic landing pages. But for classic search feed arbitrage approaches, gambling traffic consistently underperforms.
Conclusion
Search feed arbitrage ranks among the toughest niches in the field, with relatively tight profit margins (usually 15-30%). Making it in this space requires more than just entry – you need relentless trend analysis and months of grinding to scale your volumes effectively. But two major perks make this hustle worthwhile: stability (as long as you steer clear of low-quality traffic) and transparency, since advanced tracking systems give you complete visibility into performance instead of leaving you at the mercy of external approvals.
