Are you looking to maximize revenue from your mobile app? With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in mobile apps, understanding how to monetize your app effectively is crucial. In this overview, we'll delve into Google's three leading platforms for publishers: AdSense, AdMob, and Ad Manager. Each platform has its unique features, but which one is the optimal choice for your mobile app?
AdMob: A Mediation Platform for Mobile App Developers
From a technical standpoint, mobile app owners can monetize their apps using both Google AdMob and AdSense. However, Google promotes AdMob more extensively for this purpose. Notably, both platforms are free of charge and provide access to reporting and a calculator where publishers can estimate their income.
To start monetizing with AdMob, you need to integrate the Google Mobile Ads software development kit (Google Mobile Ads SDK). After implementation, you can use the platform's dashboard to create and place ad units. With AdMob, you can monetize both apps designed for Android and iOS. Available ad formats include Banner, Interstitial, Rewarded, Native, Video, and App Open ads.
AdSense: A Monetization Platform for Website Owners and App Developers
AdSense is an ad network and monetization platform that mainly caters to website owners but also allows app developers to participate. An integral part of AdSense is the Google Display Network (GDN), which encompasses over 2 million websites and apps where advertisers display their ads using various targeting methods.
Publishers monetizing with AdSense can choose to utilize many ad formats, including Native, Banner, Sticky, Vignette (a term for Interstitial ads used in the AdSense environment). Google AdSense requirements for sign-up include being at least 18 years old and having unique and compelling content that does not violate AdSense program policies.
GAM: A Programmatic-Based Ad Management Platform
GAM is a programmatic-based ad management platform that serves both website and app publishers. It's especially suitable for entities wanting to monetize several products and benefit from Preferred Deals – it's a way of selling your ad inventory to specific advertisers at a fixed price.
Before signing up for GAM, publishers need to have an AdSense account. If you've already implemented Google Mobile Ads (GMA) SDK to mobile apps while starting with AdMob, there is no need to alter anything. GAM is compatible with Android and iOS apps but also suitable for game engines like Unity and Cocos2d-x.
Google Ad Manager 360: A Premium Version of GAM
Google Ad Manager 360 is a premium, paid version of GAM dedicated to more prominent publishers. Users of this platform are not bound by limits, as none exist. Google Ad Manager 360 pricing varies based on factors such as monthly impressions and additional features specific to each user.
Google Ad Exchange: A Solution for Large Publishers
Google Ad Exchange (Google AdX shortly) is an ad exchange network where publishers, both website and app owners, can profit from the broadest range of ads provided by Google. There are three main ways to get access to AdX: apply to be recognized as an approved publisher, use Google AdMob or GAM with limited settings available, or work with a Google Ad Exchange reseller like optAd360.
By understanding how AI in mobile apps can help you monetize your app effectively, you'll be well on your way to unlocking its full potential.