Top Game Ad Networks For Acquiring Players 2024

Do you find yourself wasting your user acquisition budget on the wrong users? Are you searching for engaged, loyal, and monetizable users for your mobile game? Look no further! We have compiled a list of the top game ad networks for acquiring players. These ad networks have been categorized based on their performance in various key performance indicators (KPIs) such as retention rates, in-app purchases, ad monetization, retargeting possibilities, and growth rates.

Please note that the data for this list is sourced from the most recent AppsFlyer Performance Index for 2022, which analyzed 610 media sources, 25 billion installs, and over 18,000 apps.

Top Game Ad Networks: The Retention Index Power Ranking (Android)

If you are looking to acquire loyal gamers on Android devices, these are the top ad networks you should consider:

1. Google Ads

Google Ads has consistently ranked as the number one ad network for retaining users on Android. It has been successful in retaining players in almost all mobile game genres. With its focus on the App Campaigns tool, constant updates, and machine learning capabilities, Google Ads has been able to reach the right users effectively. The ads can appear across all Google properties, including Google Play, Google Display Network, Google Search, YouTube, AdMob, and more. Google Ads offers various targeting options such as location, language, mobile platform, operating system, interests, and topics. It also supports all leading app formats, including banner ads, interstitial ads, native ads, and rewarded ads, which help game advertisers monetize their games effectively and retain the right users.

2. Unity Ads

Unity Ads has consistently remained the leader in retaining Android users among the Gaming Triopoly (Unity Ads, AppLovin, ironSource). It has been particularly successful in several mobile game genres, ranking first in racing games and second in hyper-casual, action, arcade, and adventure games. Unity Ads specializes in mobile game advertising, allowing advertisers to target users interested in specific game types. It is known for its focus on native video advertising, although it also supports other ad formats such as banners and interstitial ads. If you are using video ads to monetize your game, Unity Ads is an ad network you shouldn’t overlook.

3. ironSource

ironSource has experienced a slight setback since the previous Retention Index, dropping by one spot in the Android rankings. However, it still holds a prominent position among the Gaming Triopoly. ironSource offers a range of tools that automate bid optimization across multiple breakdowns. It supports various ad formats, including video, interstitial ads, and offerwalls. ironSource’s retention scores have been particularly strong in music, sports, adventure, arcade, and simulation games.

4. Facebook (Meta)

Facebook has consistently ranked among the top ad networks for user retention in mobile games. It has been exceptionally successful in retaining hardcore gamers, performing well in hardcore gaming across different regions. Facebook offers superior targeting options based on location, demographics, interests, behaviors, platform, devices, and connections. It supports various ad formats, including rewarded video ads and playable ads, which help game advertisers reach high-value and high-intent users. Facebook’s ads can appear on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network.

5. Mintegral

Mintegral has made a significant jump in the rankings compared to the previous Retention Index. This ad network has performed particularly well in music, simulation, and mid-core game categories, ranking first in six regions. Mintegral is a programmatic and interactive ad platform that originated in Asia and made a global impact. It works as a supply and demand platform for mobile publishers and advertisers, offering smart targeting capabilities.

6. AppLovin

AppLovin has dropped by one spot compared to the previous Retention Index but still holds a strong position in the Gaming Triopoly. This ad network focuses on finding high-quality users based on campaign analysis. It supports various ad formats such as interstitial ads, banner ads, mobile app install ads, and video ads. AppLovin offers different bidding strategies, including CPI and CPC-based campaigns.

7. Vungle

Vungle is a mobile ad network specializing in video ads. It serves as a single ad format network and is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and Amazon. Vungle offers custom targeting options and supports various bidding models such as CPA, CPM, CPC, and CPI.

8. TikTok for Business

TikTok for Business has established itself as a top player in the ad network industry. While it ranks 15th in the retention power ranking, it has reached third place in the retention volume ranking. TikTok has seen a significant increase in its share of non-gaming app installs on Android devices. It offers various ad formats, including brand takeover ads, branded AR content, in-feed video ads, hashtag challenges, influencer content, and more.

9. SHAREit

SHAREit is a sharing app with over 500 million monthly active users globally. It has made it to the Retention Index and the IAP (in-app purchases) Index, suggesting that it can deliver high-quality and valuable app users. SHAREit’s main feature is peer-to-peer file sharing across short distances, allowing users to share photos, music, and other files without being online.

Top Game Ad Networks: The Retention Index Power Ranking (iOS)

Due to the impact of Apple’s privacy changes, the rankings for iOS ad networks are separate from Android. Here is the list of top ad networks for retaining users on iOS:

1. Apple Search Ads
2. Unity Ads
3. AppLovin
4. Mintegral
5. ironSource
6. Facebook (Meta)
7. Snapchat
8. Google Ads
9. Vungle
10. TikTok for Business
11. Moloco
12. Liftoff

The SKAN Index

The SKAN Index focuses on in-app purchases (IAP) and is available for both Android and iOS platforms. Here are the rankings:

Android:

1. Facebook (Meta)
2. TikTok for Business
3. AppLovin
4. ironSource
5. Unity Ads
6. Google Ads
7. Twitter
8. Snapchat
9. Liftoff
10. Moloco
11. Vungle

iOS:

1. Apple Search Ads
2. Unity Ads
3. Facebook (Meta)
4. AppLovin
5. Ocean Edge
6. ironSource
7. Google Ads
8. TikTok for Business
9. Moloco
10. Magnetic Engine

Top Game Ad Networks: The IAA Index (Android)

The IAA (in-app ads) Index focuses on ad networks that bring in users who engage with in-app ads on Android. Here are the top ad networks in this category:

1. Google Ads
2. Unity Ads
3. AppLovin
4. Facebook (Meta)
5. ironSource
6. Snapchat
7. Vungle
8. TapJoy

Top Game Ad Networks: The IAA Index (iOS)

The IAA Index for iOS showcases the top ad networks for users who engage with in-app ads. Here are the rankings:

1. AppLovin
2. Unity Ads
3. ironSource
4. Apple Search Ads
5. Mintegral
6. TikTok for Business
7. Snapchat
8. Jetfuel Ads
9. Moloco
10. Facebook (Meta)

Top Game Ad Networks: The IAP Index (Android)

The IAP Index focuses on ad networks that bring in players who are most likely to make in-app purchases on Android. Here are the top ad networks in this category:

1. Google Ads
2. Facebook (Meta)
3. Unity Ads
4. TikTok for Business
5. AppLovin
6. ironSource

Top Game Ad Networks: The IAP Index (iOS)

The IAP Index for iOS highlights the ad networks that are best for finding paying players. Here are the top ad networks in this category:

1. Apple Search Ads
2. Unity Ads
3. Facebook (Meta)
4. AppLovin
5. Ocean Edge
6. ironSource
7. Google Ads
8. TikTok for Business
9. Moloco
10. Magnetic Engine

Fastest-Growing Ad Networks

The fastest-growing ad networks list is available for Android only. Here are the most prospective ad networks for both gaming and non-gaming apps:

1. Bigo
2. Transsion
3. Simeji
4. Jampp
5. aye-T Studios
6. Myappfree
7. Bluestacks

In conclusion, choosing the right ad network is crucial for successful user acquisition in the mobile gaming industry. The rankings provided in this list can serve as a guide for selecting the best ad network for your game. Keep in mind that different ad networks perform differently based on the specific KPIs you are targeting. Established giants like Facebook and Google consistently rank at the top, while the gaming triopoly (Unity Ads, ironSource, AppLovin) also holds prominent positions across different categories. It will be interesting to see how these rankings evolve in the future, especially with the ongoing privacy updates.