TrafficSwarm is a classic traffic exchange that has been around for more that ten years. The exchange has over 1 million members.
I started the review on the surf page. Most traffic exchanges have a surf now button that takes you to the first splash page in rotation. At TrafficSwarm, you must select a text ad from 9 possible choices before you view the associated splash page.
Credit is deducted from you account for the display of your text ad, not the display of you splash page. You must create an effective text ad to get a surfer to even see your splash page.
Everyone gets a 20 second timer, which seems like forever. As an advertiser, you have plenty of time to be creative with your splash pages (such as adding video).
Surfing is time consuming due to the long timer, and the extra step of selecting a text ad before even advancing to the next splash page.
All accounts are limited to 250 surfs per server day. This is a classic way to keep advertisers from having their results from being diluted from excessive surfing.
However, this is rare in an age when some exchanges even reward you with CTP badges for 1000 surfs in a day. The surf limit does affect your overall ability to accumulate credits earned through surfing instead of purchasing.
There is only one upgrade, and it is expensive, $30 per month. However it includes 5000 credits and some extra credits while surfing. I would recommend another upgrade option with fewer credits and a lower monthly cost.
Credits are awarded randomly, there is no traditional surf ratio. The exchange has a FAQ devoted to explaining how upgraded members get extra credit while surfing.
The only surf prizes are awarded at 100, 200 and 250 surfs per server day. You can receive anywhere from 10 to 1000 credits as a surf prize.
I have not had an acceptable number of clicks of my banners at this exchange. You must have at least 1000 credits in your account in order to show a banner, which are always allocated to the bottom of the display.
Banner impressions per credit are different for free and upgraded members.
I do not like the policy of deleting accounts after 60 days of inactivity. Something to consider if you wish to spend time and effort (and money) to promote this exchange. Another good reason to always read the terms of service for any exchange you join!
I was upgraded when I joined the exchange, taking a one time offer for $75 every three months. In January 2015, I downgraded to the free account.
Should you join?
I plan to keep my free account and surf for credits. This exchange is well established and well known. However, I do not see the growth or updating that is seen in other exchanges. Therefore, I will not pay for an upgrade.
Try it for yourself and make your decision.