New to ads

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

I’m almost finished with a new game, and I’d like to make it free with ads.   I’ve read through the Corona guides and it doesn’t seem very difficult to implement, but I have a few questions.

  • To those who have tried multiple ad networks, which do you like the best?

  • How do you get paid?   From the ad network directly, or by the respective app stores?

  • Pay per display or click through?  I’m guessing click through…

Re: which type of ad to display, this piece from AppFlood may have made my mind up for me, but I’d be interested in hearing other opinions.

http://appflood.com/blog/interstitial-ads-generate-the-highest-earnings

Thanks…

#2

  1.  I use full screen interstitial ads only – and I like vungle.  I used chartboost and was happy with it too until there was a problem (due to which I removed it from my apps.)  With my current project, I’m thinking of adding chartboost back in.  I’ve also heard good thing about playhaven, but when its plugin first came out, it had loads of implementation issues.  I didn’t have a patience to wait for the issues to be fixed, so I never went back to look at it again – and at this point, I feel vungle and chartboost are probably sufficient enough for my latest app (and adding more ads will only up the chance of potential issues that I may have to deal with, and I’d rather minimize such headaches.)

  2.  Ad networks pay you directly.  Both vungle and chartboost have made payments properly and on schedule.

  3.  I believe mostly click through (but there may be some ads that pay per view – but I am not entirely sure)

Naomi

#3

Thanks, Naomi!   Is Chartboost part of one of these networks?   Only these are listed as supported ad networks in the API doc.

  • inneractive
  • Vungle
  • InMobi
  • AdMob
  • iAds
#4

Hey, davemikesell, use this for Chartboost:

https://github.com/ChartBoost/corona-sdk

https://www.chartboost.com/

Naomi

#5

One final question - if you don’t use iAds, does Apple get a cut of your ad revenue?   

#6

As far as I am aware, Apple does not get any cut of the ad revenue from a third-party ad network (unless the ad network has a deal directly with Apple of which we are not aware of.)  

In other words, I receive what I see on my dashboards/accounts with ad networks.  

Even if some ad networks pay something to Apple or any other third-party, I don’t think I would see it.  I believe the eCPM my app gets would reflect what I get paid.  So, if an ad network says my app is getting $10 eCPM, that’s what my app is making for me, and I am not splitting it with someone else.

Naomi

#7

OK, thanks.   I would think Apple gets a cut.   I recall reading about somebody’s app rejection because they used an external monetization system.   Maybe I’m confused :slight_smile:

#8

I could be very wrong, but I don’t think an app would be rejected based on using an ad network that does not pay Apple.  

But a use of an external monetization system that essentially replaces Apple’s in-app purchase system probably would.

Naomi

#9

@Naomi/others - anyone tried inneractive?  I’m going through the tutorials now.  

Small Rectangle Sized Ad?  - Also I’m interested in finding which provider offers an ad which is a small rectangle image ad (like I see in other games)   That is not full screen, nor full screen width like a banner.   More of a rectangle size that (just guessing) is about say 200 wide 60 high, that I could play appropriately in my level complete screen.   Do you know of any.   

#10

@greg886, I have looked at inneractive a while back, but there was some issues that could not easily be overcome, so I moved on to look at other ad networks.  I haven’t checked if things changed since.

About Small Rectangle Sized Ad, I’ve never looked into it, so I do not know.  That said, I sort of vaguely remember some ad networks offered a few different ad sizes.  It could’ve been InMobi, but I don’t trust my memory on this one… so I just did a quick Google search, and I’ve come across this:  http://www.inmobi.com/ui/pdfs/ad-specs.pdf

Anyhow, let’s hope someone knowledgeable will chime in with more info for you.

Naomi

#11

ok - thanks

#12

  1.  I use full screen interstitial ads only – and I like vungle.  I used chartboost and was happy with it too until there was a problem (due to which I removed it from my apps.)  With my current project, I’m thinking of adding chartboost back in.  I’ve also heard good thing about playhaven, but when its plugin first came out, it had loads of implementation issues.  I didn’t have a patience to wait for the issues to be fixed, so I never went back to look at it again – and at this point, I feel vungle and chartboost are probably sufficient enough for my latest app (and adding more ads will only up the chance of potential issues that I may have to deal with, and I’d rather minimize such headaches.)

  2.  Ad networks pay you directly.  Both vungle and chartboost have made payments properly and on schedule.

  3.  I believe mostly click through (but there may be some ads that pay per view – but I am not entirely sure)

Naomi

#13

Thanks, Naomi!   Is Chartboost part of one of these networks?   Only these are listed as supported ad networks in the API doc.

  • inneractive
  • Vungle
  • InMobi
  • AdMob
  • iAds
#14

Hey, davemikesell, use this for Chartboost:

https://github.com/ChartBoost/corona-sdk

https://www.chartboost.com/

Naomi

#15

One final question - if you don’t use iAds, does Apple get a cut of your ad revenue?   

#16

As far as I am aware, Apple does not get any cut of the ad revenue from a third-party ad network (unless the ad network has a deal directly with Apple of which we are not aware of.)  

In other words, I receive what I see on my dashboards/accounts with ad networks.  

Even if some ad networks pay something to Apple or any other third-party, I don’t think I would see it.  I believe the eCPM my app gets would reflect what I get paid.  So, if an ad network says my app is getting $10 eCPM, that’s what my app is making for me, and I am not splitting it with someone else.

Naomi

#17

OK, thanks.   I would think Apple gets a cut.   I recall reading about somebody’s app rejection because they used an external monetization system.   Maybe I’m confused :slight_smile:

#18

I could be very wrong, but I don’t think an app would be rejected based on using an ad network that does not pay Apple.  

But a use of an external monetization system that essentially replaces Apple’s in-app purchase system probably would.

Naomi

#19

@Naomi/others - anyone tried inneractive?  I’m going through the tutorials now.  

Small Rectangle Sized Ad?  - Also I’m interested in finding which provider offers an ad which is a small rectangle image ad (like I see in other games)   That is not full screen, nor full screen width like a banner.   More of a rectangle size that (just guessing) is about say 200 wide 60 high, that I could play appropriately in my level complete screen.   Do you know of any.   

#20

@greg886, I have looked at inneractive a while back, but there was some issues that could not easily be overcome, so I moved on to look at other ad networks.  I haven’t checked if things changed since.

About Small Rectangle Sized Ad, I’ve never looked into it, so I do not know.  That said, I sort of vaguely remember some ad networks offered a few different ad sizes.  It could’ve been InMobi, but I don’t trust my memory on this one… so I just did a quick Google search, and I’ve come across this:  http://www.inmobi.com/ui/pdfs/ad-specs.pdf

Anyhow, let’s hope someone knowledgeable will chime in with more info for you.

Naomi