15 Popular Mobile Ad Networks for App Monetization [Updated]

In January 2022, the number of mobile users stood at 7.26 billion, which makes up 90.0% of the world population. Additionally, social media users have grown by more than 13% over the last year. So social distancing obviously has played its part in that one. 

As mobile users increase, the opportunity for successful ad campaigns on mobile increases.

If you want to run a mobile ad campaign, here are the best mobile ad networks of 2023 you need to know about!

A brief guide to a mobile app monetization platform 

Mobile app monetization platforms or mobile ad networks are marketplaces where publishers or developers can sell ad space to marketers or advertisers. These platforms help developers sell ad space to monetize their apps and help marketers purchase ad space to advertise. 

Who is a Mobile Advertiser?

A mobile advertiser looks for ad spaces on different digital platforms, for instance, mobile apps. Then, they use a Demand Side Platform (DSP) to run campaigns to find ad spaces at the best prices. 

A mobile advertiser looks to get the best return on ad spending. What is that called? Ad return is the revenue generated by the campaign divided by the amount of money spent to produce and execute the campaign. The bigger this number, the better the return on ad spend. 

To do this, a mobile advertiser needs to find an ad space that will attract the most potential customers and not cost that much. 

Who is a Mobile Ad Publisher?

A mobile ad publisher offers space for advertisers to publish ads. For instance, if you have a mobile app and are looking to monetize it by giving advertisers ad space to advertisers. Ad publishers use a Supply Side Platform (SSP). 

Their goal is to maximize cost per mile (CPM). CPM denotes the revenue generated by 1,000 ad impressions. 

In a CPM-based mobile ad network, an advertiser is billed every time they gain 1,000 impressions. This makes it the most loved mobile ad model for publishers, as it is stable, predictable, and rewarding. 

In comparison, a Cost Per Click model is not very profitable for publishers because an advertiser is only charged when a customer clicks on an ad. Advertisers like the CPC model because they only pay when a viewer clicks the ad. 

Types of Display Ads

• Native Ads
• Interstitial Ads
• Banner Ads
• OfferWall Ads
• Video Ads

How do mobile ads target prospects?

Mobile ads target prospects based on the following criteria: 

• Age
• Location 
• Sex
• Employment 
• Interests 
• Hobbies 
• Social Status, and many more 

Here are the best mobile ad networks to look for in 2023:

1. Facebook Ads or Instagram Ads 

Facebook is one of the most rewarding mobile ad platforms. This is because of the massive audience base this platform will provide. Likewise, Facebook and Instagram will provide you with an audience base more significant than any other mobile ad platform simply because of the number of users of these social media platforms. 

Moreover, running ads on Facebook and Instagram is very easy. An advertiser can easily create a highly personalized campaign by choosing a target audience based on several factors. For example, you can filter the audience based on demographics like age, sex, religion, location, hobbies, interests, education, job, relationship status, and even the device they are logged in from. Also, you can find beautiful and eye-catching ad display formats. 

2. Twitter Ads 

Twitter is another social media platform that works as a highly potent ad network. You can choose the audience depending on their activity on Twitter, like their interests and location. Another advantage is that you have to pay for the actions you want people to carry out - for instance, downloading your app.

Here also, you can choose the target audience for your ad campaign as per your need. Advertisers can choose Twitter users to display ads based on their interests and location. A unique advantage that you get while running ads on Twitter is that you only pay for the action that you want your audience to take; for instance, if you are promoting your app to increase your app downloads, you then will be billed to pay only for those times when someone downloads your app.

3. Mopub

Social media giant Twitter acquired one of the top mobile advertising companies in the world in 2013. It is considered a brilliant option for developers to generate revenue from their mobile apps. Mopub also has an in-app RTB exchange called MoPub Marketplace. This marketplace connects buyers and publishers across all countries of the world. 

Additionally, this company has more than 180 DSPs working with it to whom the ATDs, agencies, and marketers can access. It has a reach of more than 1.5 billion unique devices, more than 50,000 mobile apps connected on the platform, and more than 450 billion monthly ad requests. The platform supports multiple ad formats, including opt-in video, rich media, video, native, native video, and display ads. 

4. ConsoliAds

ConsoliAds is acknowledged as among the best mobile app monetization platforms around the world. The platform offers out-and-out in-app advertising for monetization and the acceleration of in-app revenue. We leverage monetization with quick and easy SDK integration alongside optimal technical support at every stage. Our platform mediates and grows in-app revenue by serving ads from the best mobile ad networks for publishers.

We give mobile app publishers hands-on control of monetization optimization and performance enhancement. As a result, ConsoliAds has impressively achieved 3.5 billion-plus impressions worldwide while providing ~20% instant incremental revenue for mobile app publishers.

ConsoliAds for Mobile Advertising

The ConsoliAds Ad Network offers dynamic, innovative mobile advertising campaigns for marketers to enjoy. ConsoliAds Ad Network empowers advertisers to serve quality ads with its powerful 15000+ mobile apps and games inventory. The ad network leverages 3-5% successful conversion for quality user acquisition and a 30% click-through rate for unparalleled results.

We guarantee greater ROAS by providing the best mobile advertising solutions for mobile advertisers. ConsoliAds enables crisp audience targeting with the power of Appographics that streamlines campaign goals with audience interests. 

5. Google AdMob

AdMob is recognized to be the top tech-giant mobile ad network by Google. You will surely get flawless functionality and easier app integration from this mobile ad network. If you are a newbie in mobile advertising, AdMob is the best starting point.

The advertising network of AdMob is far less intrusive and aggressive as compared to the other networks. However, users reported having lower revenues while using this network. Hence, if you are an experienced person seeking higher income, you can look for something else.

6. AdColony (or Opera Mediaworks)

AdColony is one of the most sought-after ad network company's top mobile publishers worldwide. Some of its features are finding rich media & video to use in your ad campaigns, carrying out demographic targeting, and easily integrating with Android and iOS. 

Moreover, AdColony is the first advertising platform to offer Instant-Play™ HD video ad technology that works across devices regardless of quality and internet speed. It allows users to change the quality of ad content as per their needs. Adcolony also has a premium service that will enable publishers and advertisers with more filters to target their audience, ensuring precise targeting.

7. Unity Ads

Unity Ads is considered the leader of the best mobile ad network companies for monetizing mobile applications. 

It is a comprehensive monetization platform for iOS and Android developers. It helps you easily monetize your existing player base or fuel your player acquisition strategy by advertising your game across the world's largest gaming community.

8. Publift

Publift is one of the most popular ad networks focusing on helping small to mid-sized publishers gain access to premium advertisers. It has a customer base of over 350 publishers spread across 60 countries.

Publift helps publishers increase revenue through programmatic advertising and website optimization services. They especially pride themselves on their friendly customer service and, by their admission, a great sense of humor.

To be eligible to work with Publift, publishers must have a minimum monthly revenue of  $2000 and good-quality content on their website.

It allows easy integration of its Fuse ad tag with a publisher's website with additional onboarding support if needed. Once installed, Fuse continues to help publishers with ongoing optimization of their websites that go beyond mere advertisements.

It is also a Google Certified Publishing Partner and has been recognized by Deloitte as one of Australia's fastest-growing tech companies in 2019.

9. Chartboost

Chartboost is highly recommended by game app publishers for the monetization of apps in a perfect way. It is considered a mobile-only ad platform focusing primarily on gamers. It has gained high excellence in the cross-promotion of applications.

The advertisements are focused on encouraging installs of game applications. Chartboost is recognized to be the prime choice of Game app publishers for keeping the user base together. Publishers go for new game apps in the already existing ones.

This platform offers you analytics. Thus, you will get a plethora of insights for the improvement of campaigns through the analysis of data. Developers will get access to the data that are generated by Chartboost directly. It is much easier to integrate with the Chartboost SDK.

10. Epom Apps

Epom Apps is a top-rated ad mediation platform for smart app monetization. Epom Apps has in-house experts who help app developers generate revenue from their applications with winning ad strategies. In addition, the Epom Apps team handles the whole app monetization process - from selecting best-performing demand sources to include in the custom SDK to everyday ad placement optimization.

11. Smaato 

Smaato is another mobile ad network company worth mentioning. It offers programmatic advertising and real-time bidding. Smaato has a network of 390 demand partners, and the different platforms are free for integration. Hence, no actual downsides are present in this mobile ad network. If you successfully catch the fancy of demand partners, you can expect promising revenue.

Smaato Publisher Platform confers a Dynamic Demand platform that allows per-impression competition for different advertising sources to raise the publisher's revenue.

12. Flurry 

Flurry is another ad network company that Yahoo acquired in 2014. Flurry's analytical part is unique. It has the ability for a developer or company to monitor a whole portfolio of applications distributed on different application stores across platforms.

Its funnels also measure customized consumer conversion metrics. You can also categorize the analytics you gather, for example, separating paid users from free users. Officially part of the Yahoo Developer Network and their App Publishing, Flurry shows excellent potential for high revenues with its extensive analytics features.

If you have the patience and the drive to optimize and test your ad campaigns repeatedly, you can certainly make some interesting observations with Flurry.

13. Snapchat Ads 

If you think of carrying out social media advertising, you should not miss Snapchat. Snapchat is the only social platform, along with Instagram, that will allow you to reach out to a younger audience (Gen Z). In addition, Snapchat ads have rapid and easy features that guide you in selecting your target population and designing your ads.

14. Apple Ads 

Only recently, Apple launched its advertising platform – Apple Search Ads, also known as ASA. Here, in the realm of mobile app monetization, aspiring to pursue a career as an iOS developer, you would only pay per app install. In addition, the Apple Search Ads platform lets you decide what keywords and audience to select and set up your budget and goals.

Unfortunately, Apple Search Ads is not yet available worldwide – so far, it is active in Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. 

Conclusion

Mobile advertisement is something that every business needs to adapt to. Not only because most of the population is on the phone but also because very potent mobile advertising tools can help you scale up your brand and business effectively. 

We hope this list of mobile ad networks for 2023 will help you run successful mobile ad campaigns. For more content on all things marketing, stay tuned to The Next Scoop.