Mobile device usage is constantly increasing, with an estimated 5 billion mobile users worldwide . This surge in mobile engagement shows no signs of slowing down.
One of the main challenges advertisers face when choosing a mobile ad network is the overwhelming number of choices. Are you one of them?
There are so many networks that it can be challenging to identify the one that's right for their specific needs because of the sheer volume.
There are over 250 mobile ad networks, making it difficult for advertisers to identify the one that's right for their needs.
Additionally, advertisers must consider factors such as target audience demographics, ad formats, pricing models, and performance metrics, among others. Each network offers different features and benefits, making the decision-making process even more complex.
I aim to enable advertisers to target the best mobile ad networks to optimize their advertising campaigns and maximize their reach.
My selection process involved thorough research and analysis, considering key criteria such as network reputation, reach, targeting capabilities, ad formats, audience quality, and performance-tracking tools.
So, let's explore your options in mobile advertising with my thoroughly researched list of the best Mobile Ad Networks.
10 Best Ad Networks for Mobile Advertising Campaigns
The following are some of the top mobile ad networks for mobile advertising now that you know what to look for in an ad platform. Besides looking at each company's features, I will also discuss their ad formats.
OGAds is a mobile and desktop CPA network that incentivizes users to submit emails, install apps, and other actions in exchange for access to content lockers.
To put it clearly, you may entice visitors to your branded content locker by offering them freebies in exchange for completing a few easy actions, such as downloading an app or providing their email address.
When users complete activities or download apps from your content locker, you receive payment. The rates per task range from about $0.10 to $20, depending on the country of completion.
Publift, a name in the business since 2015, caught my attention as the number one choice for publishers looking to maximize their ad revenue.
What makes them stand out is their team of experts, which includes engineers, data scientists, and performance analysts. They're not just about running ads; they're about crafting personalized strategies that suit each publisher's unique needs.
Here's why Publift earned the top spot: They take the time to truly understand each publisher's content. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Instead, they offer tailored ad solutions optimized for your specific content. That level of personalization is what sets Publift apart.
So, how do they do it? Publift brings together major mobile ad networks like Smaato, InMobi, and AdMob. They then offer publishers ad solutions that fit like a glove. You can work with various formats, from sticky footer ads to interstitials and video ads.
But here's the twist-Publift doesn't believe that bombarding your site with countless ads is the way to go. Quality over quantity is their mantra. They use an advanced multivariate testing platform to rigorously A/B test every ad placement on your site.
This data-driven approach ensures that the ad placements yielding the best results are the ones that get chosen.
What's more, Publift doesn't stop at ad optimization. They're like a one-stop shop for everything related to your site's success. They provide valuable consultation on code architecture, website performance, and core web vitals (CWVs).
So, you're getting an ad network and a complete website revenue optimization partner.
But the real deal-sealer is their track record. They've gained the trust of over 350 publishers across 60+ countries, spanning diverse niches and domains.
This speaks volumes about their reliability and effectiveness.
Are you curious about what Publift can do for your ad revenue? They even have an Ad Revenue Calculator that lets you estimate your potential earnings after partnering with them.
For instance, the calculator lets you input your website's monthly traffic, desired RPM, and ad placement options to calculate your potential ad revenue accurately.
Thus, I can confidently say that for publishers and advertisers looking to maximize their mobile ad revenue and achieve their campaign objectives, Publift is the go-to choice.
Advertising your mobile app on Facebook and Instagram is the best way to reach your target audience. Why? Because these social media giants are where millions of users spend their time.
They offer a vast audience; the best part is you can tailor your ad campaigns to match any budget. There are over 2.8 billion monthly active users on Facebook alone, while there are over 1 billion users on Instagram.
This immense reach ensures that your ads are seen by a vast audience, increasing the chances of generating leads and conversions.
What puts Facebook and Instagram ahead of the game is their robust set of tools for narrowing down your target audience. You can fine-tune your ads based on location, age, gender, relationship status, education, job, and even likes and interests.
This means you can put your app in front of the right people more likely to engage with it.
But it doesn't stop there. These platforms offer a variety of ad types to suit your needs. You can choose what works best for your app: images, videos, carousels, or full-screen experiences.
You even have options like lead generation and dynamic ads to promote your products effectively.
Setting up a mobile ad campaign on Facebook and Instagram is a breeze. You define your objectives and target demographics, choose your preferred ad format and placement, set a budget and schedule, and create your ad. It's straightforward and user-friendly.
So, why do I consider Facebook and Instagram the top choice for mobile app advertising and monetization? The numbers speak for themselves.
These platforms offer a vast and engaged user base, sophisticated targeting options, and an array of ad formats. It's like having all the right tools in your toolbox to make your app successful.
So, if you want to maximize your mobile advertising efforts, Facebook and Instagram should be at the top of your list like mine.
Admob is widely regarded as the best mobile ad network for numerous reasons. As a user who has extensively used Admob, I can confidently attest to its exceptional performance and effectiveness.
One of the key advantages of Admob is its vast reach and global presence. With over 1 million apps and websites connected to the network, Admob provides advertisers with an extensive audience base to target their ads.
This ensures maximum visibility and potential reach for advertisers, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.
Moreover, Admob offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for publishers and advertisers. The platform provides intuitive tools and a well-designed interface that simplifies creating, managing, and optimizing ad campaigns.
This ease of use enhances efficiency and saves valuable time for advertisers, allowing them to focus on other important aspects of their business.
Now, let's talk about the diverse ad formats AdMob supports:
What's even more impressive is AdMob's ad mediation feature. This means you can expand your reach with other mobile ad networks. Plus, you can monitor your campaign's performance through Google Analytics.
In terms of monetization, Admob stands out due to its robust ad targeting capabilities. Admob delivers highly relevant and personalized ads to users by leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms.
This enhances the user experience and leads to higher click-through rates and ad revenue for publishers.
Consider the success stories of popular apps like Uber and Snapchat to provide concrete examples.
Both apps have leveraged Admob's powerful targeting and optimization features to monetize their user base and generate substantial ad revenue. These success stories highlight the effectiveness of Admob as a mobile ad network.
Furthermore, Admob offers comprehensive analytics and reporting tools that provide valuable insights into ad performance and user behavior. These statistics enable advertisers to make data-driven decisions and optimize their campaigns for better results.
With access to real-time data on impressions, clicks, and revenue, advertisers can continuously refine their strategies and maximize their return on investment.
Smaato is an excellent choice for advertisers looking for a reliable and effective way to reach their target audience on mobile devices.
Whether you're a publisher or advertiser, this platform has you covered. With a whopping 10,000 publishers and 90,000 advertisers on board, there's no shortage of opportunities to sell your ad space or snap up prime ad real estate.
One of the key reasons why Smaato excels is its ability to provide highly targeted and relevant advertisements to mobile users.
By leveraging its advanced targeting capabilities, Smaato ensures that ads are shown to the right audience at the right time.
This not only maximizes the effectiveness of the ads but also enhances the user experience by delivering content that is tailored to their interests and preferences.
Furthermore, Smaato's platform is known for its seamless integration and ease of use. Advertisers can easily create and manage campaigns, while publishers benefit from a simple and efficient monetization process.
This user-friendly interface allows advertisers and publishers to optimize their ad campaigns and achieve their desired outcomes effortlessly.
Smaato's success as a mobile ad network can be attributed to its strong partnerships with leading publishers and advertisers. By collaborating with top brands and app developers, Smaato has built a vast network that reaches millions of users worldwide.
This extensive reach ensures advertisers can effectively promote their products or services to a diverse and engaged audience.
The ad formats you can leverage with Smaato are diverse and cover all the essentials:
Smaato goes the extra mile with its Dynamic Demand feature, automatically optimizing your demand sources. Plus, if you fancy connecting with other SDK-enabled ad networks, you can mediate them through the Smaato Publisher Platform (SPX).
Let's look at some statistics highlighting Smaato's impressive performance. According to recent data, Smaato reaches over 1 billion unique mobile users monthly.
This massive user base presents a significant opportunity for advertisers to generate high-quality leads and drive conversions. Additionally, Smaato's platform processes over 10 billion ad requests daily, showcasing its ability to handle large-scale campaigns efficiently.
Smaato's commitment to innovation is another factor that sets it apart from its competitors. The company continuously invests in cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to deliver advanced targeting capabilities and optimize ad performance.
By staying at the forefront of industry trends, Smaato ensures that its clients benefit from the latest advancements in mobile advertising.
I've got a top pick for anyone looking to monetize their mobile games with video ads - Unity. This platform is your go-to for securing advertising in mobile games, and it's packed with fantastic features.
Unity Ads play nicely with iOS and Android platforms and are compatible with all game engines, including Adobe Air, Marmalade, and Corona.
But that's not all; you can even set up in-app purchases, allowing your customers to shop without ever leaving your app.
According to a recent survey, Unity reaches over 1.5 billion monthly active users globally. Whether you're targeting users in North America, Europe, Asia, or any other region, Unity's worldwide network ensures your ads reach the right audience effectively.
The flexibility is what makes Unity Ads shine. They offer CPM (Cost Per Mille) and CPI (Cost Per Install) campaigns, catering to your specific needs. And when it comes to ad formats, you're spoiled for choice with interstitial, video, or banner options.
Unity Ads even play well with plugins from SkyRocket, MoPub, and other mediation companies, giving you the freedom to work with your preferred partners.
You'll never miss your mark with Unity Ads. Their robust targeting options let you narrow down your audience by connection type, country, or operating system, ensuring your message reaches the right viewers.
With over 35 million players in 128 countries, you're guaranteed to hit your target audience. Advertisers using Unity have seen a 40% increase in ad revenue compared to other ad networks.
And to top it all off, Unity offers an easy-to-navigate dashboard with near-instant reporting. You can closely monitor how your ad campaigns are performing by the hour or day, ensuring the most effective app monetization strategy.
When it comes to reaching customers worldwide, InMobi stands out as one of the largest and most versatile independent mobile ad networks, making it my top choice for app monetization.
With over 1.6 billion unique mobile devices and 200 billion monthly ad impressions, InMobi ensures that your ads reach the right people at the right time.
This vast reach allows advertisers to maximize their campaign's impact and increase brand exposure.
What makes InMobi a true winner is its broad compatibility, covering Android, iOS, and mobile web. Whether you're focusing on mobile or web ad campaigns, InMobi has you covered.
The flexibility continues with ad campaign options in CPC (Cost Per Click) and CPI (Cost Per Install), ensuring you can choose the model that suits your needs.
The array of ad formats is impressive, from banners and native ads to video, rich media, and interstitials. This variety lets you tailor your ad campaigns to your audience and app content.
InMobi takes targeting to the next level, allowing you to fine-tune your ads based on factors like carrier, time, OS, operator, country, channel, and device.
This precision ensures you're always reaching the closest matches, making your ad campaigns more effective.
Moreover, if your ambitions go beyond your country of origin, InMobi has established markets in multiple countries, including the US, UK, South Africa, Japan, Europe, India, and Kenya. This global presence opens up new horizons for expanding your reach and revenue.
For those who want to collaborate with multiple ad networks, InMobi offers a mediation platform, although there may be some limitations on the networks you can work with. Nevertheless, the convenience of having this option is a big plus.
Having worked with various mobile ad networks, I can confidently say that MobFox offers unparalleled performance and reliability.
The platform's user-friendly interface, extensive targeting options, and advanced optimization capabilities have consistently delivered exceptional results for my campaigns.
MobFox simplifies the monetization process. By downloading the MobFox SDK, you can access a world of advertising formats that seamlessly integrate into your apps.
Moreover, this SDK plays nicely with major SDK-enabled networks and plugins, including Unity, Cordova, AdobeAir, and GameMaker. This compatibility ensures a hassle-free experience for developers.
According to a recent study, MobFox has consistently achieved an average click-through rate (CTR) of 3.5%, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.5%.
Regarding targeting, MobFox empowers you with a robust set of filters. Whether you're narrowing down by geography, carrier, channel, or demographics, you have the tools to refine your audience.
Geography can be honed in by country, region, city, or zip code, while demographics include age, gender, lifestyle, relationship status, native language, and education.
One of MobFox's standout features is its audience options. You can opt for pre-grouped behavioral audiences or create your custom audiences, allowing you to tailor your campaigns to your unique app and user base.
Now, let's talk formats. MobFox has it all: native, interstitial, banner, rich media, and video. This diversity ensures you have the right format to suit your app's content and users' preferences.
But what truly sets MobFox apart is its commitment to safety and performance. Detailed reports through Moat allow you to stay on top of your campaign's performance, making adjustments as needed.
Additionally, MobFox partners with GeoEdge to provide ad verification, ensuring a safe environment for your app and users.
Apple Search Ads allows advertisers to reach millions of potential customers across the globe.
With over 1.5 billion active Apple devices worldwide, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, this ad network provides an expansive platform for businesses to showcase their products or services to a vast user base.
Whether your target audience is young professionals, tech-savvy individuals, or creative enthusiasts, Apple Search Ads ensures your ads are seen by the right people at the right time.
One of the key advantages of Apple Search Ads is its seamless integration with the App Store. This integration allows advertisers to showcase their apps prominently at the top of relevant search results, increasing visibility and driving higher conversion rates.
By leveraging the power of targeted keywords and relevant metadata, Apple Search Ads ensures that your app appears in front of users actively searching for similar apps or services.
Whether you have a generous budget or want to maximize every dollar spent, Apple Search Ads accommodates all. You have full control over your ad spend, ensuring you stay within your financial comfort zone while driving results.
Apple Search Ads provides advertisers with advanced targeting capabilities, allowing them to refine their audience reach based on various factors such as demographics, location, and user behavior.
By targeting the right audience, advertisers can maximize their ROI and ensure that their ads are shown to users who are most likely to engage with their offerings.
According to Apple, Apple Search Ads have an average conversion rate of 50%, outperforming other mobile ad networks.
I must say that Perform (CB) has exceeded my expectations regarding delivering results and driving revenue. Its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support make it a pleasure to work with.
The Perform (CB) team is always available to provide guidance and assistance, ensuring that advertisers and publishers get the most out of their campaigns.
Perform (CB) boasts an impressive track record of delivering outstanding results. Its innovative algorithms and machine learning capabilities ensure that ads are targeted to the right audience at the right time, leading to higher conversion rates and increased revenue for advertisers.
For example, a recent campaign for a leading e-commerce brand saw a 50% increase in sales after partnering with Perform (CB). Such success stories highlight the effectiveness of this mobile ad network.
Furthermore, Perform (CB) offers unparalleled reach with a vast network of publishers and app developers. This extensive reach allows advertisers to connect with a diverse audience and expand their brand's visibility.
Whether it's through in-app ads, mobile web ads, or video ads, Perform (CB) ensures that advertisers can reach their target audience wherever they are. For instance, a travel app using Perform (CB) witnessed a 70% increase in app downloads by targeting specific user segments through the network.
In addition to its impressive performance and reach, Perform (CB) also provides comprehensive analytics and reporting features that allow advertisers to track and optimize their campaigns in real time.
These insights help advertisers make data-driven decisions, leading to better campaign performance and higher investment returns.
According to recent statistics, advertisers using Perform (CB) experienced a 30% decrease in cost per acquisition (CPA) compared to other mobile ad networks.
Thus, I can confidently say that with impressive statistics backing its success, Perform (CB) continues to revolutionize the mobile advertising industry.
Have you ever heard the phrase "actions speak louder than words"? As far as mobile apps are concerned, downloads speak volumes. Moburst's track record is nothing short of astonishing.
Among the top 15 mobile apps boasting over 1 billion downloads, a staggering 46% of them exclusively partner with Moburst. This isn't just impressive; it's a testament to their unparalleled prowess in the industry.
One of the key reasons why Moburst stands out is its ability to deliver outstanding results. The company's expertise in mobile advertising has allowed it to drive meaningful user engagement and deliver high conversion rates.
For instance, Moburst helped a popular gaming app increase organic downloads by a staggering 150% within three months. This incredible outcome speaks volumes about the effectiveness of Moburst's strategies and the quality of its services.
Furthermore, Moburst's personalized approach sets it apart from its competitors. The team at Moburst takes the time to understand their client's unique goals and target audiences, allowing them to create tailored campaigns that yield exceptional results.
I experienced this firsthand when Moburst developed a customized ad campaign for my e-commerce app. Moburst increased my app's conversion rate by 75% through meticulous audience analysis and strategic ad placements.
This personalized touch truly makes Moburst a cut above the rest.
Statistics also highlight Moburst's dominance in the mobile ad network realm. According to a recent study, Moburst was found to have the highest average click-through rate (CTR) among all mobile ad networks, standing at an impressive 4.5%.
This statistic reflects the effectiveness of Moburst's ad campaigns and demonstrates the -engagement and interest it generates for its clients.
How Do Mobile Ad Networks Work?
I assume you all know what mobile ad networks are, so you are here to select the best one according to your needs and requirements.
So, let me quickly tell you how these mobile ad networks work so that you get a clear picture of what you want for your app.
While variations exist among them, mobile ad networks follow a similar underlying process. Here's a general overview of how it works:
When a publisher with a mobile app partners with an ad network, the network gains access to the app's user data and available ad space.
When a user opens the publisher's app, it generates a space for displaying an advertisement. This space needs an ad to make money.
The mobile ad network has access to mobile ad demand, which can come directly from advertisers within the network through integrations with SSPs (Supply-Side Platforms) and ad exchanges, or a combination of these sources.
Using data from the publisher and the campaign requirements from advertisers, the mobile ad network searches for the best match for the available ad space.
Once the ideal ad space is identified, the ad creative is sent to the app, and the user sees the ad. This entire process happens very quickly and ideally has minimal impact on app loading speed. The specific steps involved may vary depending on the ad trading technology used.
For instance, if the ad network utilizes real-time bidding, multiple advertisers simultaneously bid on the available inventory, with the highest bidder winning.
In contrast, some networks may employ the older waterfalling method, where they assess offers individually until they find one that meets the publisher's floor price requirement.
Given the number of options available, selecting the right mobile advertising platform for your app or website can be challenging. Do not worry, I can help you decide.
I have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you find the best mobile ad network for your needs.
You'll want to opt for a platform that offers competitive rates, precise audience targeting, high-quality graphics in various formats, and impressive eCPMs (Effective Cost Per Mille).
Interstitial ads are immersive, full-screen ads that cover the entire interface of the host application. They are often used to showcase ads between different screens or levels in mobile game apps.
For instance, you're playing a mobile game, and in between levels, a full-screen ad promoting another game appears.
Banner ads are static or animated images placed within an app's interface. They are commonly used to advertise third-party products, digital or physical goods, or additional app features.
For example, a banner ad might appear at the top or bottom of a weather app, displaying a new clothing line for sale.
Native ads seamlessly blend into the app's interface, matching its design and functionality. They can be textual or video ads that appear as part of the app's content.
Imagine scrolling through a news app, and amidst the articles, you come across a sponsored post that looks like a regular news piece.
OfferWall ads, often found in mobile games, present users with various offers or tasks to engage with. They can be interactive or static and are used to promote third-party games or a series of games within the same app.
In a gaming app, you might encounter an OfferWall that lets you earn in-game currency by installing and playing other games.
Rich media ads are feature-rich and interactive, often including video, audio, or engaging elements to encourage user interaction. They typically consist of short video clips (up to 60 seconds) promoting products and services.
In a news app, you might find a rich media ad inviting you to watch a video showcasing a new car model.
In-Stream Video Ads: These ads display full-screen before, after, or within video content within an app. For example, when you watch a YouTube video on a mobile app, the ads that play before your chosen video are in-stream video ads.
Out-stream video ads appear on a web page within a mobile app, providing video content while you browse. Imagine using a news app, and a video ad starts playing as you read an article.
Video ads, in particular, are known for their high user engagement rates, making them a popular choice for advertisers. For instance, you're using a fitness app, and a short video ad demonstrates a new workout equipment.
Marketers utilize various targeting options to fine-tune their ad campaigns and ensure they reach the right audience. These targeting parameters help advertisers tailor their advertisements effectively:
- Geo: Geo-targeting allows marketers to focus their ad campaigns on specific countries or regions. This precision ensures their product or service is promoted to the most relevant geographic areas. For example, a local restaurant can limit its mobile ads to potential customers within its city.
- Device: Advertisers can choose which mobile device models will display their ads. This capability enables them to provide an optimal ad experience and avoid compatibility issues. For instance, a developer might target high-performance smartphones for graphics-intensive game ads.
- Carrier: Marketers can display ads exclusively to mobile users who are subscribers of a particular mobile carrier. This can be beneficial for carrier-specific promotions or partnerships.
- OS (Operating System): Advertisers can specify the mobile operating system on which their ads should appear. They can even target specific OS versions. For example, an app developer may show ads exclusively on devices running Android 11 to promote their app's compatibility.
- Connection: This targeting option allows marketers to show mobile ads only when devices are connected to the Internet via WiFi, 5G, or 4G LTE. It's beneficial for data-intensive content or services that require a stable and fast connection.
- Interests: Marketers can narrow their ad campaigns to reach an audience segment with particular interests. For instance, a sports brand may target users interested in fitness and athletics to promote its latest sportswear collection.
- Gender: This targeting option enables advertisers to focus their ad campaign on mobile users of a specific gender. For example, a cosmetics brand might target women with ads for skincare products.
These targeting options empower marketers to deliver more relevant and personalized mobile ads, increasing the chances of engagement and conversions by reaching users who are more likely to be interested in their products or services.
FAQs on Best Mobile Ad Networks
Conclusion : Key Takeaways for Top Mobile Ad Networks
In conclusion, selecting the best mobile ad network can be challenging for advertisers. The multitude of options available, coupled with the need to consider various factors, can make the decision-making process overwhelming.
However, by curating a list of the top mobile ad networks, I aimed to simplify this process and tried to help advertisers find the most suitable platform for their specific needs.
I really hope I have been successful in my quest; do let me know.
Also, let me know if there is any other mobile network you wish me to research and let you know, and I'll be more than happy to help you all.
Andy Thompson has been a freelance writer for a long while. She is a senior SEO and content marketing analyst at Digiexe, a digital marketing agency specializing in content and data-driven SEO. She has more than seven years of experience in digital marketing & affiliate marketing too. She likes sharing her knowledge in a wide range of domains ranging from e-commerce, startups, social media marketing, making money online, affiliate marketing to human capital management, and much more. She has been writing for several authoritative SEO, Make Money Online & digital marketing blogs like ImageStation.
You may also read: