Tag Archives: AdMob Native Ads Express

Native Express Video

Cross posted from the Google Ads Developer Blog.

If you've created a Native Express ad unit recently, you may have noticed a new template format alongside App Install and Content: Video App Install. In the past few weeks, AdMob has rolled out support for video assets in Native Ads Express, giving publishers a new way to create more engaging presentations for their users.

How to get started

Enabling video demand for a Native Express ad unit is easy. Just open the ad unit's settings in the AdMob console, and look for the Ad type checkboxes at the top of the editor:

Check the checkbox marked "Video app install," and save the change. In a short while, your ad unit will start serving video creatives alongside the other two formats, with no code changes to your app required. That means you can update your existing apps to display this new format without redeploying to the Play Store or App Store.

An important thing to note is that video creatives are only available for ad units using the Large template size. The video player needs a certain amount of space, and the Large template ensures that it's available.

Customizing the experience

While there's no mobile code required to take advantage of Native Express Video, AdMob has introduced some new features to the API that allow publishers to customize the user experience. In particular, a new video options class (VideoOptions on Android, and GADVideoOptions on iOS) gives publishers a way to influence how the ads behave.

For example, the following code will cause video ads appearing in an Android NativeExpressAdView to begin playing with their audio on: 


mAdView = (NativeExpressAdView) findViewById(R.id.adView);
mAdView.setVideoOptions(new VideoOptions.Builder()
    .setStartMuted(false)
    .build());

Staying in the know

App publishers can retrieve information about the video assets in their ads through the use of a video controller object (VideoController on Android, GADVideoController on iOS). The ad view classes for native express have been updated to include video controller properties that apps can grab and query for info like whether a video is present in the ad, and what its aspect ratio is. Even if the ad doesn't contain an video asset (or no ad has been loaded at all), you'll always get a valid reference to the ad view's video controller.

For example, here's a Swift snippet that shows how to check if an ad that just loaded contains a video asset: 


func nativeExpressAdViewDidReceiveAd(_ nativeExpressAdView: GADNativeExpressAdView)
{
  if nativeExpressAdView.videoController.hasVideoContent() {
    print("Received an ad with a video asset.")
  } else {
    print("Received an ad without a video asset.")
  }
}

More Info

Native Express is designed to make implementing native ads easy, but if you have questions about how to get up and running or how you can best put it to use in your apps, stop by our support forum. The Mobile Ads Garage recently released an episode covering Native Express Video as well, with feature details and screencasts for iOS and Android:

 - , Mobile Ads Developer Relations

Source: Inside AdMob


[New eBook] Download The No-Nonsense Guide to Native Ads

Today we’re launching a new eBook called "The No-Nonsense Guide to Native Ads", the latest in our No-Nonsense series. This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of native ads and share practical tips and best practices for implementing native ads in your app.

Over the last several years, app users have raised their expectations for a high quality app UX. To meet these expectations, ad formats have evolved accordingly. The most fitting new format that meets these higher expectations is native ads – ads that match the look and feel of the surrounding app content. And as spending on native ads is expected to grow to $21 billion in 2018, this presents a huge opportunity for publishers to enhance their user experience and tap into new revenues.

In the eBook, you’ll learn:

  • Guiding design principles that will help you better implement native ads 
  • Practical tips and best practices for implementing native ads with lots of examples 
  • Tips on how to set up a proper A/B test to begin testing native ads 
  • How AdMob can help you implement native ads

Download your copy here:

Vishal Kumar, Senior Product Manager, AdMob

Source: Inside AdMob


4 reasons to use AdMob Native Ads Express

Implementing native ads in-app can be time-consuming and complicated, but with AdMob’s native ads express, you can start implementing native ads quickly and simply. We made native a cinch to use: available to everyone, easy to set-up, and able to be changed on the fly.

Native ads express is designed for developers of all sizes, looking for self-serve, easy-to-launch native ad products. Here are four ways native ads will get you back to doing what you love, faster:

1. Implement native ads super fast.

An intuitive and user-friendly interface means you can create and style your ad, in the AdMob interface, very quickly. Choose from a variety of ad templates to get started, then customize them to fit within your app’s UI. You’ll be shown a variety of ad types, not just app install ads. Once you're done designing, just drop a few lines of code in your app to request your new native ads, and you're all set.

2. Get your creatives approved quickly.

If everything is within these policy guidelines, we can approve your ad creatives quickly.

3. Update your ads without having to update your app.

There’s no need for users to update the current version of your app to allow you to test different ad creatives. This makes A/B testing really simple. If you need to tweak the look and feel of your ads at any stage, you can do it easily from the AdMob interface, without needing to re-publish your app.

4. Preview your ad creatives quickly.

Need a dress rehearsal? Review your ads in your web browser, before they go live, without having to push code.

Until next time, be sure to stay connected on all things AdMob by following our Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages.

Posted by Chris Jones, Social Team, AdMob.

Source: Inside AdMob


The Native Way: Everything you Need to Know About Native Ads

Native is the next big thing in mobile advertising with spending on native ads expected to grow to $21 billion in 2018. This is a huge potential opportunity for app developers, but how can you use native ads to help boost your UX and monetize your app? Here’s a quick overview of what native advertising is, and how you can get started.

What’s Native?
Native advertisements match both the form and function of the user experience in which they’re placed. They also match the visual design of the app they live within. Native ads augment the user experience by providing value through relevant ads that flow within the context of surrounding app content. Put simply; native ads fit in.


Native advertising isn’t a new thing.
Since the golden days of wireless radio and daily newspapers, advertisers have looked for innovative ways to match up their brands and messages with the environment in which they’re served to consumers. In the digital advertising world, Google was one of the first “native” advertiser, developing search ads that directly matched the information on the search results page.

But today, consumers are everywhere.
And we’ve had to adapt; delivering higher quality content that can flex to different screens and sizes. For example, mobile-optimized websites now have big buttons and fonts and mobile apps let users scroll up and down or left and right, rather than having to click through to the pages they want to view. Native also understands that preserving that user experience is vital to successful advertising.

Our content has evolved, and our ads need to follow.
Nobody likes their app experience to be side-swiped by an obtrusive, ugly ad. Native advertising offers a simple solution: ads that fit the form and function of a developer’s content. We help you create ads that are beautiful and engaging, so consumers can maintain their good buzz.

Native ads are cohesive.
They never stand out like a sore thumb. They’re made to match the look and feel of the app, and are consistent with platform behavior, so that the viewer feels like the ad fits seamlessly with their content experience. In other words - they’re ads with UX in mind.

Get started - In 5 easy steps:
  1. Sign in to your AdMob account at https://apps.admob.com
  2. Click the Monetize tab/All apps/+ new ad unit/Native
  3. Choose from a variety of ad sizes,  templates and types 
  4. Customize them to fit within your app’s UI 
  5. Drop a few lines of code in your app to request your new native ads. Too easy!
For more on creating a native ad, check out our help center or head here.
Sign up for AdMob <Graphic>

Until next time, be sure to stay connected on all things AdMob by following our Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages.

Posted by Chris Jones, Social Team, AdMob.

Source: Inside AdMob


The Native Way: Everything you Need to Know About Native Ads

Native is the next big thing in mobile advertising with spending on native ads expected to grow to $21 billion in 2018. This is a huge potential opportunity for app developers, but how can you use native ads to help boost your UX and monetize your app? Here’s a quick overview of what native advertising is, and how you can get started.

What’s Native?
Native advertisements match both the form and function of the user experience in which they’re placed. They also match the visual design of the app they live within. Native ads augment the user experience by providing value through relevant ads that flow within the context of surrounding app content. Put simply; native ads fit in.


Native advertising isn’t a new thing.
Since the golden days of wireless radio and daily newspapers, advertisers have looked for innovative ways to match up their brands and messages with the environment in which they’re served to consumers. In the digital advertising world, Google was one of the first “native” advertiser, developing search ads that directly matched the information on the search results page.

But today, consumers are everywhere.
And we’ve had to adapt; delivering higher quality content that can flex to different screens and sizes. For example, mobile-optimized websites now have big buttons and fonts and mobile apps let users scroll up and down or left and right, rather than having to click through to the pages they want to view. Native also understands that preserving that user experience is vital to successful advertising.

Our content has evolved, and our ads need to follow.
Nobody likes their app experience to be side-swiped by an obtrusive, ugly ad. Native advertising offers a simple solution: ads that fit the form and function of a developer’s content. We help you create ads that are beautiful and engaging, so consumers can maintain their good buzz.

Native ads are cohesive.
They never stand out like a sore thumb. They’re made to match the look and feel of the app, and are consistent with platform behavior, so that the viewer feels like the ad fits seamlessly with their content experience. In other words - they’re ads with UX in mind.

Get started - In 5 easy steps:
  1. Sign in to your AdMob account at https://apps.admob.com
  2. Click the Monetize tab/All apps/+ new ad unit/Native
  3. Choose from a variety of ad sizes,  templates and types 
  4. Customize them to fit within your app’s UI 
  5. Drop a few lines of code in your app to request your new native ads. Too easy!
For more on creating a native ad, check out our help center or head here.
Sign up for AdMob <Graphic>

Until next time, be sure to stay connected on all things AdMob by following our Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages.

Posted by Chris Jones, Social Team, AdMob.

Source: Inside AdMob


The Native Way: Everything you Need to Know About Native Ads

Native is the next big thing in mobile advertising with spending on native ads expected to grow to $21 billion in 2018. This is a huge potential opportunity for app developers, but how can you use native ads to help boost your UX and monetize your app? Here’s a quick overview of what native advertising is, and how you can get started.

What’s Native?
Native advertisements match both the form and function of the user experience in which they’re placed. They also match the visual design of the app they live within. Native ads augment the user experience by providing value through relevant ads that flow within the context of surrounding app content. Put simply; native ads fit in.


Native advertising isn’t a new thing.
Since the golden days of wireless radio and daily newspapers, advertisers have looked for innovative ways to match up their brands and messages with the environment in which they’re served to consumers. In the digital advertising world, Google was one of the first “native” advertiser, developing search ads that directly matched the information on the search results page.

But today, consumers are everywhere.
And we’ve had to adapt; delivering higher quality content that can flex to different screens and sizes. For example, mobile-optimized websites now have big buttons and fonts and mobile apps let users scroll up and down or left and right, rather than having to click through to the pages they want to view. Native also understands that preserving that user experience is vital to successful advertising.

Our content has evolved, and our ads need to follow.
Nobody likes their app experience to be side-swiped by an obtrusive, ugly ad. Native advertising offers a simple solution: ads that fit the form and function of a developer’s content. We help you create ads that are beautiful and engaging, so consumers can maintain their good buzz.

Native ads are cohesive.
They never stand out like a sore thumb. They’re made to match the look and feel of the app, and are consistent with platform behavior, so that the viewer feels like the ad fits seamlessly with their content experience. In other words - they’re ads with UX in mind.

Get started - In 5 easy steps:
  1. Sign in to your AdMob account at https://apps.admob.com
  2. Click the Monetize tab/All apps/+ new ad unit/Native
  3. Choose from a variety of ad sizes,  templates and types 
  4. Customize them to fit within your app’s UI 
  5. Drop a few lines of code in your app to request your new native ads. Too easy!
For more on creating a native ad, check out our help center or head here.
Sign up for AdMob <Graphic>

Until next time, be sure to stay connected on all things AdMob by following our Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages.

Posted by Chris Jones, Social Team, AdMob.

Source: Inside AdMob


Mobile Ads Garage: Episode 7 – Native Ads Express

Episode seven of The Mobile Ads Garage is live on YouTube! If you haven't seen it before, The Mobile Ads Garage is a video tutorial series that covers how to use the Mobile Ads SDK to display ads from AdMob and Doubleclick For Publishers. Each episode covers one aspect of the SDK, breaks down the feature, and shows screencasts of real implementations on both Android and iOS – all in a friendly format.

Have you tried AdMob's Native Ads Express? It's a new native ads format open to all AdMob publishers that can help you slim down the monetization code in your apps, plus give you the chance to update your ad layouts without a redeploy. In this episode you'll see sample ads, implementations in Xcode and Android Studio, and details on how to create CSS templates that'll make sure the ads in your apps look the way you want. If you've been considering a move to native ads, this is a great way to get started.



If you like the video, save the Mobile Ads Garage playlist to your YouTube Playlist collection and you'll never miss an episode.

We’d love to hear which AdMob features you’d like to learn more about. The comment sections for the videos are open, and you're welcome to toss out ideas for new episodes and examples you'd like to see. If you have a technical question relating to something discussed in one of the episodes, you can bring it to our support forum.

Remember to stay connected on all things AdMob by following our Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages

 - , Mobile Ads Developer Relations

Source: Inside AdMob


Making native ads better for app developers

Advertising experiences on mobile are evolving quickly, providing developers with a wide variety of ad formats to help them make money from their apps. Now, when consumers are on a mobile device while waiting for a bus, getting some ‘me time’ at home, or countless other situations, they’re just as likely to be delighted by a video ad, as they are to click an interstitial ad and view a product that’s captured their interest.

Yet, mobile screens are small. Any content that’s poorly designed, or enters the app’s flow when a user least expects it, can disappoint users - and the same rules apply to ads. Native advertising has emerged as a way to create a more seamless ad experience on mobile, one where ads match the look and feel of an app’s design. It isn’t a new idea, yet it hasn’t been within reach of all developers; many of today’s native ad solutions require significant resources to implement and can be an ongoing burden that’s difficult to scale. Who wants to be writing lengthy code to serve ads instead of building the next killer feature in their app?

We want to make native ads better for developers, so today, we’re excited to announce the full launch of AdMob native ads express, an easier way to implement native ads in apps. Here’s what makes native ads express special:

  • It’s super-easy to get started. Choose a template from many different pre-defined templates available in the native ads express interface, customize it, and get a great-looking native ad in less than 5 minutes - that’s why it’s ‘express’. The code you implement in your app is kept to a minimum - it’s the same amount that you’d add to request a banner ad.
  • Ads go live in a flash. You can go live with native ads on the same day you start building them (as soon as your app is approved in the app stores). Our smart technology validates your customization of the ad to help ensure it meets our guidelines and provides a good experience for your users.
  • Optimize on a whim. Customize, tweak, and redesign the templates in native ads express through the AdMob interface, preview changes, and set your native ad unit loose without rewriting app code. Optimization is no longer a huge time commitment, so you can easily find the best performing native ad for your app. Some publishers using the beta version of native ads saw up to 4X higher CTRs than other ad formats in the same app. 

Using the native ads express interface to choose an ad size and customize the ad colors
Developers with millions of users, such as Linghit Limited and Cheetah Mobile and have already found success with AdMob native ads. Linghit Limited needed a way to monetize their Chinese Almanac Calendar app, Shunli, while retaining the great user experience the app is renowned for. They implemented AdMob native ads express and saw a 100% increase in daily ad revenue and a 114% increase in ad impressions.
“Native ads are more intuitive so we displayed them in more prominent positions within apps. We were able to view the effects on user click-through rates in real time based on the information in the ads backend. We could make quick adjustments to the native ads to maximize the effect of the ad.” 
Jinnee Lee, Vice President, Linghit Limited
Cheetah Mobile implemented AdMob native ads for its popular Battery Doctor app, and saw its revenue increase 4X.

AdMob native ads in Cheetah Mobile’s Battery Doctor app
Learn more about how Linghit Limited and Cheetah Mobile monetized their apps with native ads in these video case studies. If you’re not showing native ads yet, here’s how you can get started with native ads express.

We’re also excited to share that AdMob is now used by more than 1M apps. We’re delighted that iOS and Android developers count on AdMob to build and monetize apps that users love. For Google advertisers, our large network of apps means marketers are able to reach more potential customers as they spend time on mobile devices.

Posted by Pasha Nahass, Product Manager, Mobile App Ads

Source: Inside AdMob