page.title=Monetize with Ads
page.metaDescription=Ads are a quick and easy way to incorporate a monetization option into both your free and paid apps.
page.tags="monetizing", "free", "freemium", "ads"
page.image=/distribute/images/advertising.png

@jd:body

<div class="figure">
  <img src="{@docRoot}distribute/images/advertising.jpg" style="width:460px;">
</div>

<p>
  In-app advertising offers a quick and easy way to incorporate a monetization
  option into both your <a href=
  "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/freemium.html">freemium</a>, <a href=
  "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/premium.html">premium</a>, and <a href=
  "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/subscriptions.html">subscription</a> apps. </p>

<p>Using <a href=
  "http://www.google.com/ads/admob/monetize.html#subid=us-en-et-dac">AdMob</a>
  and the <a href="{@docRoot}google/play-services/ads.html">Google
  Mobile Ads SDK</a> included in Google Play Services, you’re able to add
  advertising into your apps, with just a few lines of code.
</p>

<p>
  When including ads in your apps you should consider:
</p>

<ul>
  <li>
    <p>
      <strong>Placement within your apps</strong> &mdash; Well placed ads will
      optimize your revenue by making it more likely that users will ‘click
      through’. Poorly placed ads can result in low click-through rates, and in
      the worse cases poor rating and users rapidly abandoning your apps. You
      can get advice on how to best place ads from the developer training on
      <a href=
      "{@docRoot}training/monetization/ads-and-ux.html">using
      ads</a>.
    </p>
  </li>

  <li>
    <p>
      <strong>Ad formats</strong> &mdash; Every app offers a different type of
      experience for users, so it’s important to consider the format of ads
      you’re using to ensure it’s compatible with the experience. While banner
      ads may work well for a flashlight utility app, an immersive gaming app
      may benefit more from a video interstitial. Mismatched ad formats may
      negatively affect your users’ experience and ad revenue, so try to select
      formats that fit well with the content and flow of your apps.
    </p>
  </li>

  <li>
    <p>
      <strong>Maximizing your performance</strong> &mdash; Ensure you’re optimizing
      your advertising revenue by maximizing your CPMs <em>and</em> fill rate.
      Often ad providers will cite very high CPMs but will have a low fill rate
      that can severely decrease your effective CPM, so look at both of these
      figures. Also consider using a <a href=
      "https://support.google.com/admob/v2/answer/3063564?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=3063091#subid=us-en-et-dac">
      mediation</a> solution if you’d like to use multiple ad providers in your
      apps. Look for solutions that offer yield management or <a href=
      "https://support.google.com/admob/v2/answer/3379794?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=3379793#subid=us-en-et-dac">
      network optimization</a> features to serve the highest paying ad for each
      impression.
    </p>
  </li>

  <li>
    <p>
      <strong>Exercising control options</strong> &mdash; A variety of ads promoting a
      broad selection of other services or apps may show up within you apps.
      Depending on your goals and the type of experience you want to provide
      your users, it may make sense to <a href=
      "https://support.google.com/admob/v2/answer/3150235?hl=enl#subid=us-en-et-dac">
      block</a> certain advertisements from appearing. Some developers don’t
      want apps in a similar category showing to their users, but some don’t
      mind.
    </p>
  </li>

  <li>
    <p>
      <strong>Cross promoting your other apps</strong> &mdash; Ads can be used for
      more than just earning revenue. Consider using <a href=
      "https://support.google.com/admob/v2/answer/3210452?hl=en#subid=us-en-et-dac">
      house ads</a> within your apps to create awareness and promote your
      entire portfolio of apps. When launching new apps, an easy way to quickly
      attract users is to promote directly to your existing customers.
    </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<p>
  To start monetizing with ads sign up for <a href=
  "http://www.google.com/ads/admob/#subid=us-en-et-dac">AdMob</a> and integrate
  the <a href="https://developers.google.com/mobile-ads-sdk/download">Google
  Mobile Ads SDK</a> into your apps. If you also need to manage direct deals
  with advertisers, consider using <a href=
  "http://www.google.com/doubleclick/publishers/small-business/index.html#subid=us-en-et-dac">
  DoubleClick for Publishers Small Business</a>.
</p>

<div class="headerLine"><h2 id="related-resources">Related resources</h2></div>

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