Liftoff(Vungle)Just Arrived! Liftoff’s Non-Gaming Ad Monetization Trends Report
Summary
Sensor Tower data indicates non-gaming apps will exceed mobile game revenue share by 2026, fueled by rising consumer spending and widespread adoption of in-app advertising. As app usage time increases, publishers are prioritizing ad monetization strategies, leading to steady revenue growth. Liftoff's report highlights this inflection point, noting that dedicated resources to ad monetization open new pathways to success, including opportunities in emerging markets and improved results through innovative ad placements and balanced user engagement practices.
You Might Also Like
AppsFlyer2025 App Marketer Survey
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.
SensorTowerSensor Tower APAC Awards 2024
Mobile users spent $150B on App Store and Google Play in 2024, up 13% YoY. APAC publishers dominate the top 100 highest-grossing mobile publishers globally. Key trends: short drama apps and hyper-casual games thrive; AI boosts productivity in education; mobile apps enable cross-border communication. Sensor Tower APAC Awards 2024 highlight standout games and apps from the region, recognizing innovation in user experience and market insights.
Liftoff(Vungle)Webinar Recap: Busting Ad Monetization Myths in Non-Gaming Apps
Non-gaming apps can generate significant ad revenue by diversifying ad formats and strategically placing ads without disrupting user experience. Rewarded ads, app open ads, and interstitials work when integrated at natural user touchpoints. Testing different ad combinations and user segments is crucial. Gaming ads convert well on non-gaming traffic due to high cross-over. Avoid focusing on singular ad optimization; instead, test multiple formats for revenue gains of 2-5% or more.
Unity2024 Roundup and Spotlight on Mobile Game Growth | Unity
This article notes that Unity, its logos, and trademarks belong to Unity Technologies. Other brands are trademarks of their respective owners. It's a legal disclaimer found in advertising contexts.
SensorTowerIndia Mobile App Market in Q2 2026: IAP Hit a New High of $345 Million (Up 35%); Story TV Emerged as India’s No.1 Short Drama App, While Meesho Led Shopping App Downloads
India's mobile app market hit record revenue of $345M in Q2 2026, with non-gaming up 50% YoY. For ad ops, key opportunities lie in short drama apps (Story TV tripled ad spend), AI subscriptions, and ad-supported games like arrow puzzles, which generate over 11% of global ad revenue from India. Gaming revenue grew 10% YoY, outperforming global decline. Hypercasual game ad revenue rose 180% QoQ. India is transitioning from an acquisition market to a monetization powerhouse, offering scalable ad inventory across entertainment, local commerce, and casual gaming.
AdjustHow to launch and scale puzzle & match 3 games | Adjust
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.
AdjustHow to scale a gaming app to 1 million players | Adjust
Scaling a gaming app to 1 million users requires AI-driven user acquisition with personalized creatives and playable ads, cross-platform storytelling, and influencer collaborations. Retention relies on adaptive content, community building, localization, and deep linking for seamless re-engagement. Hybrid monetization combining IAP, subscriptions, and ads with dynamic pricing optimizes revenue. Advanced analytics and predictive insights enable real-time campaign optimization. Decision-makers should prioritize AI and machine learning for UA and retention, implement deep linking for frictionless user journeys, and leverage data-driven monetization strategies to sustainably scale and retain a large player base.
MolocoIn-App Bidding vs. Waterfall: What’s Best for Your Mobile Game?
For ad ops decision-makers, in-app bidding is now the dominant mobile ad monetization approach, comprising ~80% of typical setups. It outperforms waterfall by automating demand prioritization, driving higher eCPM and ARPDAU through real-time competition. Hyper-casual games benefit from high fill rates and efficiency; casual games leverage hybrid IAP/IAA with bidding for volume; mid-core/hardcore games see premium eCPM without latency. Ad networks like Moloco offer 100% direct demand, enhancing transparency and revenue. Starting A/B testing and transitioning from waterfall is recommended for future-proofing monetization.
More from Liftoff(Vungle)
A lighter SDK, without the trade-offs
The Liftoff Monetize SDK combines a minimal footprint with full monetization power. Under 1 MB on Android and 5.12 MB on...
The World Cup audience doesn’t disappear during halftime. It picks up a phone.
World Cup data from Liftoff's SSP shows ad impressions in sports scoring apps nearly doubled (+90%) and unique audience ...
Madison Avenue is missing out on in-app advertising
In-app mobile advertising is held back by three myths: low-quality inventory, intrusive ad formats, and reliance on Big ...
Is All Supply Created Equal? The Case for Choosing DSPs Based on Model Intelligence vs Inventory
Treating DSPs as interchangeable commoditizes ad buying. In reality, models differ sharply: two DSPs can view the same i...
In the Age of AI, Creative Taste Is the Last True Moat
Mobile marketing teams are scrutinizing whether AI improves creative output or just increases volume. Key insights: inad...
A Year of Spend Shifts: Inside the 2026 Finance & Crypto App Benchmark
The 2026 Finance & Crypto App Performance Benchmark reveals a 47% increase in UA spend and 2.15x re-engagement spend in ...