Mobile game publisher Panteon faced the challenge of scaling user acquisition while maintaining revenue growth for their new title Raid Rush. Initially using AppDiscovery for IAP-focused ROAS campaigns, they shifted to a hybrid model with MAX mediation and blended ROAS campaigns. This allowed them to target both high-value IAP users and ad-engaging users, leading to a 15% increase in D0 and D7 ROAS, a 220% rise in total campaign spend, and higher ARPDAU across all regions, especially T2 markets.
The dual-campaign approach ensured sustainable growth without cannibalizing existing IAP performance. Key takeaways for developers include leveraging MAX for blended ROAS campaigns to unlock new user segments and regions, balancing IAP and ad revenue streams, and achieving global scale more effectively.
The mobile advertising industry is optimistic heading into 2025, with 80% of marketers expecting the year to be as strong or stronger than 2024. Non-gaming apps are driving growth, with downloads up 12% YoY and IAP revenue increasing 20%+. Marketers are prioritizing profitability and ROAS, with over half reporting more aggressive KPIs. Generative AI is already benefiting creative production and optimization. iOS re-engagement remains underleveraged, and most marketers are still adapting to SKAN. Budgets are increasing, with a focus on ad networks and self-attributing networks.
AppLovin's Day 28 ROAS campaigns target high-value users with longer monetization cycles, offering three types (IAP, Ad, Blended). They improve retention, optimize quickly via AI, and complement shorter-term campaigns. Case studies show significant gains in retention and ROAS for partners like iKame and Zynga.
Hybrid monetization (IAP + IAA) is crucial for non-gaming apps, with 45.5% of hybrid app downloads coming from subscriptions+IAP+IAA combos. IAP-driven apps, like mini-series, saw IAA revenue increase 40x by adding rewarded ads. Best practices: segment users, design incentives, and use in-app bidding for higher efficiency (up to 60% revenue lift). AI-powered platforms optimize bids and placements, balancing user experience and monetization.
Puzzle and match 3 games remain a profitable segment, with 9.7 billion downloads in 2024 and 14% YoY IAP revenue growth. Key opportunities lie in LATAM and MENA, where session growth is high. Rising CPI and CPM emphasize the need for efficient UA. Incrementality testing and predictive LTV are critical for optimizing ad spend, ensuring budgets target high-value users. Adjust's tools—Measure, InSight, and Recommend—provide attribution, incrementality testing, and pLTV modeling to maximize ROI.
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Cross-platform measurement resolves the common problem of fragmented, device-level reporting that inflates ROAS and misallocates budgets. By unifying customer identity across web, mobile, CTV, and other surfaces, marketers gain a single view of LTV and attribution. AppsFlyer provides this via CUID stitching and Product Line grouping, enabling real-time, deduplicated insights without manual BI work. Key benefits include accurate cross-platform ROAS, elimination of duplicate attribution, and reliable data for AI-driven optimization.
Performance Max introduces key controls: campaign-level negative keywords (GA), high-value new customer mode (GA), separate brand exclusions for Search vs Shopping ads, URL contains rules for feeds, and betas for age-based exclusions and device targeting. Enhanced reporting includes search terms insights distinguishing keywordless vs search theme traffic, usefulness indicators, and downloadable asset group performance. These features give advertisers more steering capability over AI and deeper transparency, enabling better optimization for customer acquisition, brand suitability, and granular performance analysis.
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