Tumblr users can now make cash from ads on their blogs

Tumblr had for some time hosted ads, including its Gemini native ads, sponsored posts and videos, though sales growth could not quite measure up to the pace that parent company Yahoo wanted.

But, yesterday in the backdrop of Verizon's acquisition of Yahoo, it announced paid promotions where its millions of bloggers would get a cut.

The ads would start appearing today across its network of blogs, which would give brands the potential reach of its 550 million monthly users. Tumblr bloggers would have to opt out of the programme if they did not wish to participate. The company did not offer specifics on the revenue split between itself and its users.

"We continue to deliver ad solutions to grow Tumblr's business and maximize value for our advertisers and community," the company said in a statement. "Featuring Yahoo display and Gemini native ads across the Tumblr blog network is another example of these ongoing efforts."

Tumblr had held appeal for advertisers, who wished to connect to creative-minded millennials. According to commentators, under the new Verizon ownership, it would be interesting to see if the business finally gained traction.

There might be more synergy between Verizon's wealth of mobile data and Tumblr's mobile-minded audience than there was between Verizon and Yahoo, they add.

Tumblr outlined its plans in a post titled, 'Coming soon, money from your Tumblr'. It was not clear what form the ads would take, though it seemed likely  they would show up natively in users' posts rather than anywhere else on the page.

While the ads would start rolling right away, the cash flow would start ''later this year,'' the company said. Also bloggers would need to register their details in order to become part of the scheme.

''Tumblr is a place where brilliant, creative, funny, impossible people shape culture,'' the team said in a recent post announcing the new scheme, promising  it'll be available ''to any eligible Tumblr – poet, musician, fan artist, and misfit weirdo memelord alike.''