Latest email from AdMob to all developers

Solar2D Monetization (in-app purchases, ads, etc.)
#1

Can Corona please confirm from which version of the Corona SDK was Google Mobile Ads SDKs 7.0.0 incorporated?

https://developers.google.com/admob/ios/rel-notes

Also, is there a Corona developer out there that can check what happens with banners and interstitials on AdMob for those who have not (either unwilling or unable) to update their iOS apps?

I updated dozens of apps this summer but I am unwilling to update them all again. So I’d like to know what happens on iPhone X with banners and full screen ads. Thanks!

From AdMob:

Hi, Starting January 23, 2018, we will no longer be supporting Android and iOS Google Mobile Ads SDKs lower than version 7.0.0. To continue serving ads from AdMob after this date, please upgrade to the latest Google Mobile Ads SDK. With our new SDK, you’ll get access to new features designed to help grow your revenue while delivering good user experiences. These include new ad formats, better mediation reporting and more stable ad serving. You can read more about these features and our announcement here and in our release notes (Android / iOS).

#2

I see there is a revision history here from Ingemar on the AdMob plugin (as ever, Ingemar is always thorough!)

https://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/67506-admob-plugin-update-paid-plugin/

#3

We should be okay based on the versions Ingemar posted. All versions of Corona 3049 or greater pick up the latest plugin.

Rob

#4

Okay - thanks Rob.

#5

Just to clarify, any apps that were updated prior to March (eg: January of 2017) did not pick up a version of Admob that was 7.0 or later, correct? 

#6

@JBean - good question!

I’d like to know which version of Corona SDK started using AdMob Ads SDK >= 7.0.0 just to be sure where I stand with AdMob.

I note that the AdMob deadline has passed for updating for iPhone X and yet my account is still showing ads and generating income. It may be the case that AdMob will show (at then end of the next pay period) iPhone X clicks as:

“Invalid Traffic - AdMob Applications - AdWords Ads”

I do receive this on my AdMob account every month but only for a small amount -  cents or a dollar or so. Ah! Such uncertainty! :frowning:

:slight_smile:

#7

We don’t have that kind of history to say when we started using 7.x beyond what Ingemar was sharing in his forum posts.  

@JBean, how are you drawing that assumption? I have no way of telling what version previous versions of Corona use. 

Rob

#8

@Rob: I’m really not sure how often the Admob plugin was being maintained prior to it going paid. 

I’m just assuming that the Admob plugin currently injected into one of my apps, that I last updated in January, could very well be using an Admob SDK that is older than 7.0, but I don’t know 100%. This is info we can only get from you guys.

I could also ask Admob, if there is a way to determine what plugin version is being used in one of our apps, and if they can tell visually or through their portal?

#9

So looking at the store, it looks like Admob was added as a paid monetization plugin back in December of 2016. This means, that it was likely updated to Admob 7.0 or later at that time. I couldn’t imagine them releasing that plugin in December using an old version of the SDK, but again, this is just an assumption.

So I can probably assume, if I had updated an iOS app in January of 2017, that it likely has a version of the Admob SDK that’s older than 7.0, unless it was released on the store using an old SDK?

If anyone can find out info on this, it would really help. If I can avoid having to update our iOS app right now, that is my preference, but I have no clue what version of Admob is injected into the build.

Thank you

#10

Interesting discussion. Perhaps the AdMob plugin maintainer could chime in with which version of Corona SDK started using AdMob Ads SDK >= 7.0.0 just to be sure where I stand with AdMob.

#11

More specifically - if the AdMob plugin maintainer or Corona staffer can confirm that the paid AdMob plugin at no time used a version of AdMob Ads SDK prior to 7.0.0. then I’d be happy to hear that confirmation! Thanks.

#12

I can most certainly say the Free version of AdMob that existed a couple of years ago isn’t modern enough to use. No one should be building against that plugin today since it breaks about every other plugin. That version of Google Play Services is ancient.

If you’re building against the paid version you should be fine. If there are questions, perhaps issuing an update to make sure you’re using the latest version would be the safe thing to do.

Rob

#13

Yeah, in January, I built against the paid version (I had been doing so since I had purchased that one in December)

Since I prefer not to update right now, I guess it’s safe to assume that the paid version released in December of 2016 was using 7.0 or later?

#14

If you’re building against the paid version you should be fine

@karpovpw or the AdMob plugin maintainer - please can we have a definitive answer on this? It’s important to those of us who are unable or unwilling to update.

Has the paid version of the AdMob plugin ever used a version of the AdMob Ads SDK less than version 7.0.0? Not to sound rude or abrupt but I am respectfully asking for a yes or no answer. Thank you!

#15

I suppose I can relax. My round of updates commenced late March 2017 with the paid plugin. I’m quite sure that the AdMob Ads SDK used a version >= 7.0.0 for the updates.

Thanks.

#16

@hogletpie: If you look at the Admob SDK release schedule, I believe 7.0 was released sometime around February of 2015.

The paid version of the Admob plugin was released into the marketplace on December of 2016, and it’s more than likely that the latest Admob SDK during that period was used (7.15.0 more than likely) so I’m pretty sure that you are safe with regards to your apps!

#17

@JBean - Yes, I believe you are right. Thanks!

#18

The initial version of the paid AdMob plugin was built against 7.16, so if you’re using the paid AdMob plugin for iOS you’re good to go.  On Android, it’s built against Google Play 9.6.1. which should also be good.

Rob

#19

@Rob Miracle - thank you for confirming the version!

#20

@Rob Miracle - thank you for confirming the version!