Mobile Games Monetisation Networks for Developers
Monetisation is usually not the first thing that comes to a developer's mind when creating a game. Gaming developers focus on their product and all the features that go with it, which is quite understandable.
Thinking of future development, having a good monetisation strategy becomes crucial. Some developers will choose a subscription model, while others will prefer an in-game purchase option. Another game monetisation strategy is to work with an ad network.
If a developer goes with the latter, selecting the best ad network becomes important. In this article, I will list some of the top mobile game monetisation ad networks.
AppLovin is a mobile game and app ad network company connecting brands and audiences in apps and mobile devices. AppLovin enables developers of all sizes to market, monetise, and publish their apps through its mobile advertising platforms. AppLovin adopts both CPI and CPC campaigns. It specialises in in-app advertising, offering advanced machine learning algorithms to optimise ad targeting and revenue. AppLovin provides tools like MAX, a powerful in-app bidding platform, and integrates easily with various demand sources to maximise fill rates and eCPMs. It also supports rewarded video, interstitial, and banner ads, and is known for its user acquisition and analytics capabilities through its broader mobile ecosystem, including its game studio.
Unity Ads is an ad monetisation solution for mobile games. It enables mobile game developers to monetise their entire player base via ads that are native to Unity-based games. Unity Ads is built directly into the Unity game engine, making it especially popular among mobile game developers. It focuses on delivering immersive, high-performance ad formats such as rewarded video and interstitials that integrate seamlessly with gameplay. Unity Ads uses machine learning to optimise ad delivery for both engagement and monetisation. It supports mediation and offers detailed analytics and A/B testing tools, giving developers control over how ads appear and perform in their games.
AdMob is a Google ad network that provides a way to earn money by matching ads to apps based on criteria set up by the developer. AdMob displays targeted ads alongside game content. It supports a wide range of ad formats including banner, interstitial, rewarded, and native ads. AdMob is tightly integrated with Google's broader ecosystem, enabling precise targeting and optimization through Google Ads and Firebase. Its mediation platform allows developers to manage multiple ad networks to maximize fill rates and revenue, and it features real-time performance reporting and user-level ad insights.
Anzu is an in-game advertising platform that introduces native and dynamically updated ads to video games. It is the most advanced intrinsic in-game ad solution for mobile, PC, console, and the metaverse. It is a leading in-game advertising platform that brings real-world, programmatic ads into video games in a non-intrusive and native manner. It specialises in blended in-game advertising formats—such as billboards, posters, and branded objects—that maintain immersion without disrupting gameplay. Anzu supports cross-platform campaigns across mobile, PC, and console games and provides detailed measurement tools through partnerships with analytics providers like Nielsen and Comscore. It also enables advertisers to use real-time data and retargeting within gaming environments.
InMobi is a provider of marketing and monetisation technologies. It is a programmatic monetisation platform for publishers. InMobi is a mobile advertising and marketing platform that offers app monetisation, user acquisition, and brand advertising solutions. It provides a global mobile ad network that supports a variety of formats such as native, banner, interstitial, and video ads. InMobi’s platform uses AI-driven targeting and real-time bidding to optimise performance, and it supports programmatic buying via its demand-side platform (DSP). It also offers audience intelligence and retargeting capabilities, making it a versatile solution for both app developers and brand marketers.
Verve Group was formed to unite advertising technologies in one combined offering — a privacy-first omnichannel ad platform for advertisers and publishers. It connects publishers and advertisers across mobile, desktop, and connected TV (CTV) through programmatic technology. Known for its expertise in geotargeting and real-time data, Verve Group provides advanced monetisation tools and mediation services. The platform supports rich media formats and leverages both first-party data and contextual signals to ensure relevant ad experiences, particularly in mobile and DOOH (digital out-of-home) environments.
Verve Group services include:
- Mobile advertising
- Local mobile publishing
- Location-based targeting
- Mobile monetisation
If you are a mobile game developer in Africa and looking to monetise your app, check one of these ad networks. Mobile ads are generally native and don't disrupt your user experience.
