If they would add ads, writers would ask for a revenue, too. If they'd do that, they would ask for a fair share, considering their amount of contribution. Means: how many articles they write. And with that you are back to the status quo. Dropping "get rich fast posts" and soul-less "top x lists".

The current economics of ads on the internet are such at "just add ads" is no longer viable alone like it was a decade ago.

That's why nearly every content creator that normally relies on ads has additional revenue sources. (Patreon/Sponsorships)