When considering the ways marketplaces can generate revenue, there are three basic options available to operators: subscription fees for membership (for buyers or sellers, or both), transaction fees (charged to buyers or sellers, or both), or advertising/media fees.

As a longtime observer of the industry, I’ve seen a lot of ad types come and go. When certain tactics and formats vanish, it’s typically because of one reason: They no longer have a relevant place within the user experience.