What is Ad Mediation？

Ad mediation, an integral aspect of mobile advertising, refers to the process of optimizing ad inventory across various ad networks to maximize revenue and fill rates for app developers.

What is Ad Mediation and How Does it Work?

Ad mediation is the process through which mobile app developers can seamlessly integrate multiple ad networks into their applications. It operates as a central platform that manages and optimizes ad inventory by selecting the most suitable ad from a pool of networks based on factors like eCPM (effective cost per mille) and fill rates.

By employing ad mediation, developers can avoid reliance on a single ad network, diversifying their monetization strategy. This strategy minimizes revenue loss due to unfilled ad requests or lower-paying ads. Additionally, it enables real-time auctioning of ad impressions, ensuring that the highest bidder wins the placement.

Ad mediation platforms function by conducting ad network auctions in a waterfall or parallel bidding manner. This process involves sequentially querying integrated ad networks based on predefined rules. Waterfall mediation, for instance, prioritizes networks based on historical eCPM data, potentially leading to bias towards certain networks.

To ensure fairness and optimize revenue, unbiased ad mediation platforms have emerged. They employ algorithms that dynamically assess the value of each ad impression and conduct simultaneous auctions, eliminating bias towards specific networks.

Top Mobile Ad Mediation Platforms for Apps and Games

How to Choose the Right Ad Mediation Platform

1. Monetization Strategy Alignment: Consider if the platform aligns with your app's monetization goals. Determine whether it prioritizes user experience, offers diverse ad formats, or focuses on maximizing revenue.
2. Ad Network Coverage: Assess the range of ad networks supported by the platform. A wider network coverage means more opportunities for higher-paying ads and increased fill rates.
3. Integration and Ease of Use: Evaluate the ease of integration and the platform's user-friendliness. A smooth integration process saves time and resources, allowing developers to focus on app development.
4. Revenue Optimization Tools: Look for platforms that offer robust optimization tools such as real-time bidding, advanced targeting options, and predictive analytics to maximize revenue potential.

Best Ad Mediation Platforms

AdMob by Google:

• Features: Offers robust analytics, ad formats customization, and Google Analytics integration. Its machine learning algorithms optimize ad performance.
• Supported Ad Networks: 25+, such as Google Ad Manager, AdColony, Chartboost, Tapjoy, and more.
• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, WP7, Unity

MoPub:

• Features: Flexible and customizable mediation platform with real-time bidding, advanced targeting, and native ad support.
• Supported Ad Networks: 12+, such as Facebook Audience Network, Chartboost, Tapjoy, AdColony, and more.
• Supported platforms: Android, iOS

ironSource:

• Features: Provides in-app monetization solutions, ad mediation, and ad network mediation for video and display ads.
• Supported Ad Networks: 14+, such as Facebook Audience Network, Unity Ads, Vungle, AppLovin, and others.
• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Adobe, Unity

Unity Mediation:

• Features: Integrated within the Unity game development ecosystem, offering seamless ad integration and revenue optimization for Unity-based games.
• Supported Ad Networks: 7+, AdColony, Chartboost, AppLovin, ironSource, Vungle, and others.

AppLovin Max:

• Features: Uses machine learning to optimize ad placements, offering rewarded videos, interstitials, and native ads.
• Supported Ad Networks: 15+, IronSource, AdColony, Vungle, Tapjoy, Chartboost, and more.
• Supported platforms: Android, iOS

Fyber:

• Features: Focuses on maximizing ad revenue through unified auction technology and advanced monetization strategies.
• Supported Ad Networks: 15+, IronSource, AdColony, Tapjoy, AppLovin, Chartboost, and others.
• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Unity, Adobe

Appodeal:

• Features: Offers programmatic ad mediation, smart optimization, and supports a wide array of ad formats.
• Supported Ad Networks: AdMob, Unity Ads, InMobi, Tapjoy, Chartboost, and many more.

Aerserv:

• Features: Focuses on video ad mediation, providing high-quality video ad inventory and analytics for publishers.
• Supported Ad Networks: 30+, Rubicon Project, Google Ad Manager, PubMatic, and more.
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Unity, Adobe, Cocos2d-x, Cordova, Marmalade, tvOS

AdTapsy:

• Features: Specializes in maximizing eCPMs through ad mediation and user retention strategies.
• Supported Ad Networks: 7+, Vungle, Tapjoy, AdColony, Unity Ads, AppLovin, and others.
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android

AppMediation:

• Features: Offers a comprehensive mediation platform for both display and video ads with advanced reporting and optimization tools.
• Supported Ad Networks: Google AdMob, MoPub, Facebook Audience Network, IronSource, and more.
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Unity

Admost:

• Features: Emphasizes AI-driven ad mediation, optimizing revenue by predicting the best-performing ads.
• Supported Ad Networks: AppLovin, Unity Ads, AdColony, Vungle, ironSource, and others.
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Unity, Air, Cordova

Tapdaq:

• Features: Offers cross-promotion tools alongside ad mediation, focusing on user acquisition and retention.
• Supported Ad Networks: Facebook Audience Network, AdColony, Vungle, AppLovin, ironSource, Chartboost, and others.
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Cordova, Unity

FAQs：

Do you need a mediation for ads?

A mediation for ads is highly beneficial, especially for app developers aiming to maximize revenue streams. Ad mediation platforms enable the efficient management of multiple ad networks within an application. They optimize ad inventory, ensuring the selection of the most lucrative ads from various networks, ultimately enhancing app monetization strategies. Without mediation, developers might experience inefficiencies, such as unfilled ad requests or lower-paying ads, impacting their revenue potential.

What is ad network mediation?

Ad network mediation refers to the process where ad requests from an app are directed to multiple ad networks. This approach allows developers to maximize their fill rates and eCPM (effective cost per mille) by selecting the most lucrative ad at any given moment.

What is mobile ad mediation?

Mobile ad mediation specifically focuses on the unique landscape of mobile apps. It streamlines the process of serving ads, ensuring compatibility across various devices and screen sizes. This optimization enhances user engagement and revenue generation.

What are Waterfall Mediation and Unbiased Ad Mediation?

Waterfall mediation, a traditional approach, prioritizes ad network requests sequentially based on historical eCPM data. However, this method might lead to inefficiencies as it may favor higher-ranked networks, potentially missing out on better-paying ads from lower-ranked ones.

Conversely, unbiased ad mediation platforms revolutionize the process by dynamically evaluating each ad impression's value in real time. They conduct simultaneous auctions, ensuring fair competition among ad networks, and ultimately optimizing revenue for app developers.

Ad mediation platforms have evolved to address the changing dynamics of the advertising landscape, offering sophisticated solutions that prioritize fairness and revenue optimization.