Can someone explain to me how iADs work?

[kmjt]

For shits and giggles I wanted to test iAD on one of my apps just to see how it works. I don't expect many impressions at all since it has less than 2000 downloads, I just want to see how to get iADs to pop up. So I sent the update (with iADs) to app store and it was accepted however there are a few things that confuse me.

The same day the app update got accepted, and the update was live on app store, it showed 5 requests in my iAD section with 0 impressions. I get why there could be 0 impressions (there needs to be ads purchased on iAD end), what I don't get is why since this point there have been no additional requests. It has been 2 days with 0 requests. Since the 5 requests on the first day, 0 requests have been made to the iAD server. Shouldn't requests happen often (whenever someone opens the app)? I have opened the app at least 30 times myself to check if an ad will magically appear.

 

[SmokeHut]

Post your code for your implementation of it.

iAD impressions / requests are basically what they say.

A request is when the server is receives a request, an impression is when it is actually shown to the user. A click-through is where they actually open the advert.

The difference between requests & impressions is that their connection could be really shitty. So the request data makes it through. However, the returned data to give an impression to the user doesn't make it. Therefore you end up with different numbers.

*note that is from a year ago today. So, don't rely on it for income.

There's some genuine numbers from mine, something you should expect revenue wise for impressions & click-throughs etc.

Unless you're getting hundreds of thousands of downloads a day, you need to think of really clever ways to monetise free applications.

 

[kmjt]

I put them on another app and they seem to be showing so I think I am fine. Yeah I am only using iADs as a filler. My main advertisement is an advertisement to try to lure local businesses in to advertising on it so I don't have to use iADs in the first place aha. Thanks.

 

[SmokeHut]

I put them on another app and they seem to be showing so I think I am fine. Yeah I am only using iADs as a filler. My main advertisement is an advertisement to try to lure local businesses in to advertising on it so I don't have to use iADs in the first place aha. Thanks.

Yeah good choice of alternate method, know your audience and know their value to potential companies. Then when you have some decent statistics behind you, show your results to them companies and explain the opportunity for them.

I tend to create php anayltic scripts so I can monitor nearly every action. Then feed the stats into a database, then a nice html template to show the results. Makes it really easy to get a companies attention.

 

[kmjt]

Yeah good choice of alternate method, know your audience and know their value to potential companies. Then when you have some decent statistics behind you, show your results to them companies and explain the opportunity for them.

I tend to create php anayltic scripts so I can monitor nearly every action. Then feed the stats into a database, then a nice html template to show the results. Makes it really easy to get a companies attention.

I made 3 cents so far time to throw a party :nuts:

 

[SmokeHut]

Also, it'll take a while for people who still use your app to update it. So don't take into consideration the 2,000 people using your previous release. Only consider the people who are actively using your latest build.

 

[kmjt]

I think my 2nd app is just a lost cause aha

 

[SmokeHut]

It doesn't seem right for 229 requests to make it through and no impressions, I'd check through your code and make absolutely sure that it's all right.

As judging by the requests, that'll likely be your best source for income haha.

 

[kmjt]

It doesn't seem right for 229 requests to make it through and no impressions, I'd check through your code and make absolutely sure that it's all right.

As judging by the requests, that'll likely be your best source for income haha.

I might have to change the way the app functions. Basically it is just an app with buttons that direct you outside of the app to different websites so even if an iAD were to come the user would probably not even see it. This is probably why there are no impressions. I will probably just put the websites I link to inside of WebView so I can keep the iAD on screen. The only problem is that all of the external website require logins so I will probably lose a lot of users if I force them to log in inside of a WebView.

Do you know if requests are sent if the app is in the background? Say when I am browsing in safari? Or are requests only sent when the app is in foreground?

 

[SmokeHut]

I might have to change the way the app functions. Basically it is just an app with buttons that direct you outside of the app to different websites so even if an iAD were to come the user would probably not even see it. This is probably why there are no impressions. I will probably just put the websites I link to inside of WebView so I can keep the iAD on screen. The only problem is that all of the external website require logins so I will probably lose a lot of users if I force them to log in inside of a WebView.

Do you know if requests are sent if the app is in the background? Say when I am browsing in safari? Or are requests only sent when the app is in foreground?

It's very possible, I'm not fully aware.

Though, they tend to run on the main thread which is paused when the app backgrounded.

Yeah I see your pain on the content data. However, it's far better to make revenue off the people who decide to enter their password than it is to not make revenue off anybody.

 

[kmjt]

It's very possible, I'm not fully aware.

Though, they tend to run on the main thread which is paused when the app backgrounded.

Yeah I see your pain on the content data. However, it's far better to make revenue off the people who decide to enter their password than it is to not make revenue off anybody.

Lol at least I know my iADs on the second one are working I guess:

686 requests to 1 impression aha. I'm pushing an update to that app in a bit that should make that app my most profitable. I integrated all of the sites into WebView's (instead of just having buttons that link to open safari) so I should get at least double the requests (and hopefully some actual impressions lol).

 

[SmokeHut]

Lol at least I know my iADs on the second one are working I guess:

686 requests to 1 impression aha. I'm pushing an update to that app in a bit that should make that app my most profitable. I integrated all of the sites into WebView's (instead of just having buttons that link to open safari) so I should get at least double the requests (and hopefully some actual impressions lol).

Good idea, that one seems to be a winner!