An oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalyst composition comprising one or more oxides doped with Ag; wherein one or more oxides comprises a single metal oxide, mixtures of single metal oxides, a mixed metal oxide, mixtures of mixed metal oxides, or combinations thereof; and wherein one or more oxides is not La2O3 alone. A method of making an OCM catalyst composition comprising calcining one or more oxides and/or oxide precursors to form one or more calcined oxides, wherein the one or more oxides comprises a single metal oxide, mixtures of single metal oxides, a mixed metal oxide, mixtures of mixed metal oxides, or combinations thereof, wherein the one or more oxides is not La2O3 alone, and wherein the oxide precursors comprise oxides, nitrates, carbonates, hydroxides, or combinations thereof; doping the one or more calcined oxides with Ag to form the OCM catalyst composition; and thermally treating the OCM catalyst composition.