What worked yesterday is most likely dead today. It is more difficult to attract an audience, methods are outdated, and governments are introducing new restrictions. Artificial intelligence is also becoming both a competitor and an ally. So what should we do? Let’s find out together!
Audiences want video, not text
Users are less likely to read long texts and more likely to consume short video content. This also applies to advertising: text teasers are losing out to dynamic videos on almost all platforms.
TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts are becoming the main sources of traffic. Classic landing pages with a “wall of text” are gradually being replaced by interactive formats — mini-games, quizzes, and storytelling in stories. Even in messengers, users are more likely to choose voice messages and video responses instead of text.
Traffic has become fast, superficial, and visual. Ignoring this means losing attention before the first click.
What to do?
Switch to video. Vertical formats, voiceovers, and dynamic editing are no longer an experiment but a basic standard. Test UGC creatives, live formats with a “human face,” and interactive elements that really hold attention, not just collect views.
AI is replacing manual processes
By 2026, artificial intelligence will penetrate every stage of traffic arbitration. Neural networks already generate creatives, write ad copy, create images, and even edit videos. Automated systems independently analyze user behavior, optimize bids, and predict CPL more accurately than most media buyers.
Chatbots and voice assistants are replacing live operators. AI analytics instantly finds weak spots in funnels. Manual optimization is gradually becoming a thing of the past — even A/B testing is increasingly being taken over by algorithms.
Arbitrage is becoming less of a “craft” and more of a systematic work with tools.
What to do?
Learn to use AI tools in practice. Use ChatGPT for copywriting, MidJourney or similar tools for visuals, and automatic bid managers to optimize campaigns. The sooner you hand over the routine to bots, the more time and resources you will have for strategy, testing hypotheses, and scaling. And, consequently, for margin.
Classic traffic sources are losing their effectiveness
Google and Meta are consistently tightening the screws. Moderation is becoming stricter, “gray” offers are being banned en masse, and verification and compliance are mandatory. Push networks and teasers have long been overloaded with spam, causing CTR to steadily decline. Even native traffic is becoming more expensive — competition there is already almost as fierce as in classic performance.
At the same time, new platforms are growing. Telegram channels, mobile apps, closed ecosystems, and even the beginnings of metaverses. Users are spending more and more time in messengers, often bypassing traditional social networks. And advertising there is still relatively cheap — at least for those who got in early.
What to do?
Diversify your traffic sources. Test Telegram Ads, TikTok Native, closed or invite-only affiliate networks. Look for traffic where competition has not yet eaten into margins. In 2026, the winners will not be those who “finish off” Facebook, but those who find new growth points in time.
Teams are turning into holding companies
Large arbitrage studios have long ceased to be just teams of webmasters. They are building full-fledged business structures: buying up top specialists, lobbying for lucrative offers, controlling entire verticals — from loans and gambling to nutra.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for individual players and small teams to compete. Corporations have significantly larger budgets for testing and direct access to the best conditions and offers, which are often simply closed to “loners.”
What to do?
If you can’t beat them, join them. Join strong teams, build partnerships with other arbitrageurs, and look for synergies. The alternative is to focus on narrow niches where there is no corporate pressure yet and where you can win with expertise rather than budget.
Legislation complicates work
In post-Soviet countries, regulations continue to tighten. Payment systems are being blocked, “questionable” offers are being banned, and advertising censorship is being introduced. Withdrawing funds is complicated by sanctions, KYC procedures, and financial control.
Even cryptocurrencies no longer seem like a completely safe haven. States are tightening control over exchanges, introducing restrictions, and monitoring transactions more closely.
What to do?
Stay ahead of the curve. Understand the legal nuances, diversify payment solutions, and don’t keep all your eggs in one basket. Arbitrage in 2026 is no longer just about traffic and creativity, but also about financial and legal stability.
Ad personalization is critically important
Users are tired of universal advertising “for everyone and no one.” In an environment of constant information noise, it is no longer enough to simply attract attention — content must be relevant and personally relevant.
Today, it works like this: analytical systems analyze user behavior — what they search for, watch, like, and react to. Based on this, personalized offers are formed. DCO (Dynamic Creative Optimization), deep audience segmentation, adaptive creatives, and offers that change depending on the context are used.
AI plays a key role here. It automates the creation of personalized advertising on a scale that was previously simply unavailable. As a result, campaigns become more accurate and budgets more efficient.
For arbitrage, this means one thing: “average” creative no longer works. Those who know how to speak to the audience in their language and at the right moment will win.
Loading speed and UX are no longer an option, but a necessity
Every extra second of page load time hurts conversion. A slow website doesn’t evoke emotion — it just gets closed. This is especially critical for mobile traffic, which already dominates in most niches.
What matters in 2026:
- loading speed,
- optimized images,
- use of CDN,
- minimal number of scripts,
- clean, understandable navigation,
- responsive design,
- clear and noticeable CTAs.
The ideal scenario is a landing page that opens in less than two seconds. In a world where competition for attention is measured in milliseconds, UX is becoming part of marketing, not just a “technical detail.”
New monetization formats are coming to the fore
Classic models such as CPA, CPC, and CPM are gradually losing their effectiveness. Clicks are becoming more expensive, competition is growing, and margins are shrinking. In response, brands and arbitrageurs are starting to look for alternative sources of income.
What is gaining momentum:
- subscriptions,
- donations,
- paid content,
- NFT platforms,
- in-app purchases, and in-game advertising.
Hybrid monetization models that combine several formats at once are being tested more and more often. For arbitrageurs, this means more experimentation and less copying of other people’s schemes.
In 2026, the winners will be those who are not afraid to combine approaches and look for non-standard niches. Creativity and a willingness to test new things are becoming just as important as the ability to drive traffic.