Monetisation is usually not the first thing that comes to a developer's mind when creating a game. Gaming developers focus on their product and all the features that go with it, which is quite understandable.
Thinking of future development, having a good monetisation strategy becomes crucial. Some developers will choose a subscription model, while others will prefer an in-game purchase option. Another game monetisation strategy is to work with an ad network.
If a developer goes with the latter, selecting the best ad network becomes important. In this article, I will list some of the top mobile game monetisation ad networks.
1. AdMob (by Google)
AdMob is a Google ad network that provides a way to earn money by matching ads to apps based on criteria set up by the developer. AdMob displays targeted ads alongside game content. It supports a wide range of ad formats, including banner, interstitial, rewarded, and native ads. AdMob is tightly integrated with Google's broader ecosystem, enabling precise targeting and optimisation through Google Ads and Firebase. Its mediation platform allows developers to manage multiple ad networks to maximise fill rates and revenue, and it features real-time performance reporting and user-level ad insights.
- How to Join: Register for a free Google AdMob account, integrate the SDK into your game, and begin placing ad units.
- Benefits: Access to Google’s massive advertiser pool, diversified ad formats, superior fill rates, deep analytics, and optimisation tools. It’s beginner-friendly and supports global payouts.
- URL: https://admob.google.com/home/
2. Unity Ads
Unity Ads is an ad monetisation solution for mobile games. It enables mobile game developers to monetise their entire player base via ads that are native to Unity-based games. Unity Ads is built directly into the Unity game engine, making it especially popular among mobile game developers. It focuses on delivering immersive, high-performance ad formats such as rewarded video and interstitials that integrate seamlessly with gameplay. Unity Ads uses machine learning to optimise ad delivery for both engagement and monetisation. It supports mediation and offers detailed analytics and A/B testing tools, giving developers control over how ads appear and perform in their games.
- How to Join: Sign up with your Unity Developer credentials, access Unity’s dashboard, and follow integration instructions for the SDK.
- Benefits: Deep integration with the Unity engine, rewarded video support, personalised ads, and detailed revenue tracking. Excellent for developers who already use Unity as their main game engine.
- URL: https://unity.com/
3. IronSource
IronSource is a comprehensive platform combining monetisation, user acquisition, and mediation tools. It offers rewarded videos, playable ads, banners, and interstitials, enabling developers to maximise revenue while maintaining user experience. IronSource uses AI and machine learning to optimise ad targeting and user acquisition.
- How to Join: Create an IronSource account and integrate their mediation SDK.
- Benefits: Powerful ad mediation, access to multiple ad sources, advanced analytics, and robust support for hybrid monetisation models that combine ads and in-app purchases.
4. AppLovin
AppLovin is a mobile game and app ad network company connecting brands and audiences in apps and mobile devices. AppLovin enables developers of all sizes to market, monetise, and publish their apps through its mobile advertising platforms. AppLovin adopts both CPI and CPC campaigns. It specialises in in-app advertising, offering advanced machine learning algorithms to optimise ad targeting and revenue. AppLovin provides tools like MAX, a powerful in-app bidding platform, and integrates easily with various demand sources to maximise fill rates and eCPMs. It also supports rewarded video, interstitial, and banner ads, and is known for its user acquisition and analytics capabilities through its broader mobile ecosystem, including its game studio.
- How to Join: Set up a developer account, integrate the AppLovin SDK, and configure your ad placements via their dashboard.
- Benefits: Fast-growing network, real-time bidding, dedicated support, and well-optimised for both indie and large studios. Excellent for automated ad revenue maximisation.
- URL: https://www.applovin.com/en
5. Chartboost by LoopMe
Chartboost focuses on app monetisation and user acquisition specifically for mobile games. It provides interstitials, rewarded videos, and offerwalls, with strong mediation features that allow developers to manage multiple ad sources efficiently. Chartboost also offers robust analytics tools to optimise ad performance and maximise revenue.
- How to Join: Sign up for a developer account, add the Chartboost SDK, and configure ad placements.
- Benefits: Focused on mobile games, combines user acquisition, in-app advertising, and monetisation all in one platform. Offers strong analytics and optimisation tools.
- URL: https://loopme.com/chartboost/
6. Liftoff formerly Vungle
Vungle specialises in in-app video advertisements, providing high-quality, engaging video ads with advanced targeting and contextual placements. Vungle’s rewarded videos are among the highest performing in the industry, leading to better user engagement and retention. The platform offers global reach and real-time analytics to optimise ad performance and maximise developer revenue.
- How to Join: Register, download their SDK, and follow the documentation to add it to your game.
- Benefits: High-quality video ads, global reach, strong eCPMs, contextual ad placement, and advanced targeting for optimal user experience.
- URL: https://liftoff.ai/
7. Digital Turbine
Digital Turbine is known for high-quality video ads and interactive ad formats that provide a rich, engaging user experience. Its ads include instant-play HD videos and playable ads that yield higher engagement and better eCPMs. Digital Turbine offers real-time analytics and supports global advertisers, making it effective for monetising games across regions.
- How to Join: Sign up, integrate their SDK, and configure placements according to their documentation.
- Benefits: Renowned for high-quality video and interactive ads, real-time analytics, and excellent brand partnerships, increasing your potential ad revenue.
- URL: https://www.digitalturbine.com/
8. Tapjoy
Tapjoy specialises in rewarded ads and offerwalls, providing users with incentives to engage with ads in exchange for in-game rewards. This model drives both monetisation and user engagement, often resulting in increased in-app purchases. Tapjoy offers comprehensive performance analytics and supports multiple ad formats, allowing developers to choose the best fit for their game and audience.
- How to Join: Create a developer account, integrate the Tapjoy SDK, and set up in-app offers and reward programs.
- Benefits: Best for offerwalls and rewarded video formats, driving in-app purchases and sustained user engagement. Gives you more choices for monetisation beyond standard ads.
- URL: https://unity.com/products/tapjoy
9. Facebook Audience Network
Facebook Audience Network (FAN) leverages Facebook’s vast advertiser database and targeting capabilities to deliver highly personalised ads within mobile games. It supports native, banner, interstitial, and rewarded video ads.
- How to Join: Use your Meta for Developers credentials, integrate their SDK, and set up placements in your app.
- Benefits: Leverages Facebook’s broad targeting data and large advertiser base, leading to high fill rates and eCPMs for most regions.
10. InMobi
InMobi is a provider of marketing and monetisation technologies. It is a programmatic monetisation platform for publishers. InMobi is a mobile advertising and marketing platform that offers app monetisation, user acquisition, and brand advertising solutions. It provides a global mobile ad network that supports a variety of formats such as native, banner, interstitial, and video ads. InMobi’s platform uses AI-driven targeting and real-time bidding to optimise performance, and it supports programmatic buying via its demand-side platform (DSP). It also offers audience intelligence and retargeting capabilities, making it a versatile solution for both app developers and brand marketers.
- How to Join: Register as a publisher, integrate the InMobi SDK, and manage placements via their dashboard.
- Benefits: Wide advertiser base, innovative ad formats, and strong presence in emerging markets, helpful for reaching global audiences.
- URL: https://www.inmobi.com/
Benefits for Game Developers
Maximised Revenue: Access to diverse ad formats and multiple demand sources increases total income.
Hybrid Monetisation: Combining ad networks supports hybrid models (ads + IAPs + subscriptions), enabling monetisation of a larger % of your player base.
Better Player Engagement: Networks offer tools for rewarded ads and native placements, driving engagement without harming the user experience.
Increased Financial Stability: Reduces reliance on a single revenue stream, providing more consistent income when market conditions change.
Global Analytics: Most networks deliver in-depth reporting to help optimise ad placement and maximise returns for each country or user segment
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