AOL has claimed record traffic numbers for its network of sites, logging a total of 56.5 million unique visitors in March.

The company cited comScore figures suggesting that AOL network traffic grew by 28 per cent during the month and 35 per cent over the past year.

"The consistent and strong growth in reach and engagement, along with the newly reorganized Platform-A, gives us a great opportunity to monetise our highly engaged audience," said Bill Wilson, executive vice president of AOL vertical programming.

The one-time ISP king is still in the process of a transformation. The company has abandoned its ISP role and shifted its focus solely to advertising and distributing original content.

Other moves have seen the company lay off thousands of employees and hand over its radio business to CBS.

The traffic boost was welcome news to those still working to turn AOL around.

"Our strong growth is a direct result of rebuilding each and every one of our vertical sites over the past 12 months," said Wilson.

"Our goal is to provide consumers with highly relevant and rich experiences that focus on key passion points which in turn provide tremendous value to our advertising partners."