Hello,
I've been reading a few threads and posts about earning revenue from apps without the use of advertising. I've used Admob network before, but over the past month and a half I've used Sellaring ad network. These guys do audio ads and they add a few good dollars to my pocket each month. In fact, a few more months of incoming ad revenue (and more users to my apps) and I may be able to cut down my day job.
I want to ask here, why is there a great objection to advertising on apps? I see a lot of the opposition here among XDA forum members and much less of it on any other forum. Ad revenue is a potential that can give developers the resource to develop more... this is what many of us want isn't it?
Hope I'm not offending anyone, would appreciate your input.
I don't think anyone here objects to in-app adds. There are many apps with both ad-supported and paid ad-free versions, so people will either buy them or use the ad-supported free version. Those kind of ads don't really bother people. I think the biggest problem people have with ads is with ad-delivery systems like AirPush. Those are intrusive and ruin the experience of using the phone. Coming from the internet, it doesn't feel right to get ads pushed to your notification bar automatically. It's like pop-up windows on many sites on the internet (eg. www.piratebay.se). Nobody likes them.
Since phones are our personal devices and we store so much of personal data on them, it doesn't feel right when we randomly receive ads like that without any control over it (except a convoluted opt-out process). It's an intrusion of privacy. That's the only issue in my opinion.
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But do you find banner ads less annoying when you're playing a game? Where do you draw the line between intrusive and non intrusive?
Ad networks like airpush and sellaring make it possible for app developers to make money from their entire installed base... even users who don't use the app every day. For me, that helps to generate a lot more cash.
I don't mind the little in app banner ads. The push notification ads are really annoying, and feels like malicious adware. I will instantly uninstall any app that pushed notification ads.
spunker88 said:
I don't mind the little in app banner ads. The push notification ads are really annoying, and feels like malicious adware. I will instantly uninstall any app that pushed notification ads.
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Exactly. I uninstall anything that pushes notification bar ads as for me they feel intrusive whereas in app ads I have no problems with.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
What do you think of this? http://www.bangstyle.com/2012/03/google-phone-ads/
Looks like Google is making steps in the same direction.
Rob45 said:
What do you think of this? http://www.bangstyle.com/2012/03/google-phone-ads/
Looks like Google is making steps in the same direction.
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I think that's a stupid idea, but meh, if it makes money it can't be that bad. It better be optional though!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Rob45 said:
But do you find banner ads less annoying when you're playing a game? Where do you draw the line between intrusive and non intrusive?
Ad networks like airpush and sellaring make it possible for app developers to make money from their entire installed base... even users who don't use the app every day. For me, that helps to generate a lot more cash.
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It's likely your app's users do not know where the ads are coming from. I know if I downloaded an app that caused constant advertising to appear on my phone, I would remove it immediately and never deal with that developer again. You have to also look at it from a value proposition. If you are not providing a user with value (i.e. they are not currently using your app), why should they be providing you with value via ad revenue? And imagine if every developer had separate, out-of-app ads. Your phone would be unusable.
Rob45 said:
What do you think of this? http://www.bangstyle.com/2012/03/google-phone-ads/
Looks like Google is making steps in the same direction.
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As long as it doesn't get as bad as the Google ads in this satire video from the Onion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtuxax8Dtk4
spunker88 said:
As long as it doesn't get as bad as the Google ads in this satire video from the Onion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtuxax8Dtk4
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LMFAO the Yphone! Couldn't stop laughing!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
spunker88 said:
As long as it doesn't get as bad as the Google ads in this satire video from the Onion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtuxax8Dtk4
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That's hysterical!! But only cause it takes it to extreme...
Ring back ads are meant to be played during the Ring Back Tone.
nemosomen said:
It's likely your app's users do not know where the ads are coming from. I know if I downloaded an app that caused constant advertising to appear on my phone, I would remove it immediately and never deal with that developer again. You have to also look at it from a value proposition. If you are not providing a user with value (i.e. they are not currently using your app), why should they be providing you with value via ad revenue? And imagine if every developer had separate, out-of-app ads. Your phone would be unusable.
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I agree that you have to provide value to users. But considering most Android users don't pay for apps (statistically) and in-app ads do not convert very well, we're pretty much stuck in between. How can we generate revenue for our work?
What if the ads are fun jingles? Doesn't that provide something of value?
Labor isn't free and ads are just one way to monetize. The only question that matters is one related to the Golden Rule.
Would you use an app with ads? Does it bother you? If not, you are doing nothing wrong under the eyes of Bob. If users were to complain and bicker, then perhaps you have another question on your hands: to cater to the users or not.
Thankfully, my phone is rooted and running cyanogenmod, so I can block in-app ads as well as revoke permissions for others that use Air push. I realize that ads are how developers make money and keep the apps free, but that doesn't make me hate ads any less. Any app for which there is no way to block all ads is an app that I will not keep, period.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA
exiquio said:
Labor isn't free and ads are just one way to monetize. The only question that matters is one related to the Golden Rule.
Would you use an app with ads? Does it bother you? If not, you are doing nothing wrong under the eyes of Bob. If users were to complain and bicker, then perhaps you have another question on your hands: to cater to the users or not.
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I'll put up with ads if they are non obtrusive and don't get in the way of using the program. Ads should only be present when the program is open and being used, meaning airpush ads should never be used. They are no different than malicious Windows adware programs that push pop-up ads.
It's not the ads, is the the network
Lets be honest, we all think ad networks are intrusive, messy to deal with (updating SDK's), and overall feel like we "cheapen" our apps when use them. But - they are the most popular "layer" you can slide into a free app in hopes of earning a little revenue from it. Using a completely different model such as fermium, or carrier-billing (Android only at the moment), or in-app purchases go beyond the scope of this post, but are better ways of earning revenue from an app in general.
Let's be honest:
No one like intrusion and advertisements like notifications, audio ads, video ads are intrusive.
Banner ads are fine as all they consume is a part of screen but some app started sending me notifications and I couldn't figure out the source, it's really annoying especially when notification can't be cleared down.
And in android 2.3, there no such feature to swipe the notification. You had to clear all notifications at a time.
I don't think developers object to app ads. There are many developers who have many apps on DesktopAd using banner ads and pop-ups to monetize apps. And I can see banner ads in many Windows apps, but I don't feel them bother me a lot. My apps are on Windows 8.1 desktop platform, I use small banners in my games, I think they would not bother my players. As a result I got generous profits from in-app ads. By the way, my ads SDK is from DesktopAd.com.
Related
http://digitizor.com/2011/07/21/android-malware/
Android has had its fair share of malware problems. Whenever malware are detected, Google reacts swiftly and remove them. However, according to security researcher Neil Daswani, around 8% of the apps on the Android market are leaking private user data.
Neil Daswani, who is also the CTO of security firm Dasient, says that they have studied around 10,000 Android apps and have found that 800 of them are leaking private information of the user to an unauthorized server. Neil Daswani is scheduled to present the full findings at the Black Hat Conference in Las Vegas which starts on July 30th.
The Dasient researchers also found out that 11 of the apps they have examined are sending unwanted SMS messages.
Google needs to take charge
This malware problem on Android has become too much. One of the main reason that we see malicious apps in the market is because of the lack of regulation in the apps that get into the Android Market.
Sure, the lack of regulation can be good. It means that developers can make their apps without worrying if Google will accept their apps or not. It fits into the pre-existing application distribution model where anyone can develop and publish their own apps.
However, this comes at a price - the malware problem. Yes, most of the problems with these malicious apps can be avoided if only users read the permission requirements of the apps. But, what percentage of the users actually read the permission requirements of all the apps they download?
I think that it is time that Google make approval of the apps a requirement before it gets into the Market. They do not need to do it like Apple, but a basic security check before an app gets on the market will be nice.
If nothing is done about and this problem is allowed to grow, it will end up killing the platform.
Ur a good man
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Get an iPhone then.
Don't know if apple should approve or disaproove since that can slow down the release of new apps, but they need to check, that's for sure.
Yeah, just read permissions when installing applications. A lot of them will state access to personal data (such as contacts, browser history, etc.)
Such apps like MP3 downloaders contain ALOT of this malware.
if you're that paranoid.....LBE Privacy Guard + Droidwall = #winning
This article is very true in sense of lacking of control on big G part. My friend developed an app and he was able to get it into market almost instantly. I was very shocked to find that no scanning or checking was done.
Therefore, it's a risk that we take everyday to use these apps, specially, custom ROMs because who knows what it installed really. Users just need to be aware of their action, and don't use bank apps on rooted devices, or corporate email on rooted devices, or email yourself passwords to your online banking from your rooted devices. My thought is that, if it's out there then somebody can get it these days with all the technologies.
A little bit of common sense when installing apps can go a long way. You stifle the market too much when you cater to the lowest common denominator but then if you don't you get stuff like this.
+1 on Droidwall too, great app. Just don't turn it on and then forget about it before getting it set up properly, it's a pain figuring out why you can't use the internet on anything lol
xHausx said:
A little bit of common sense when installing apps can go a long way. You stifle the market too much when you cater to the lowest common denominator but then if you don't you get stuff like this.
+1 on Droidwall too, great app. Just don't turn it on and then forget about it before getting it set up properly, it's a pain figuring out why you can't use the internet on anything lol
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hahaha, was tryna to download a new app and wondering why it just stalled kept on saying, downloading..... downloading paused....blah blah!!! lol
turns out it was droidwall (even with market enabled) lol
Yea when a simple clock widget wants to read your contact, data and location but has no ads or settings, I avoided that one.
I prefer the risk of an open system to the purgatory that is a closed system ruled by a draconian company any day.
Oh look iOS does this too.
/troll
DoctorComrade said:
Oh look iOS does this too.
/troll
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hah, they're at almost 50%
Ads on notification bar is just another form of mobile advertising.
I don't agree how they show notification ads while not using the app,
But I only agree if they show the notification ads when the app is running !
I hope Airpush will change their attitude in future, (and perhaps Admob also have option to include ads on notification bar too, so devs can earn more money)
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So I want to implement Airpush ads on my app (because admob only give me very little).
But I only want to show the Airpush ads when the app is running (no background service / etc),
does anyone here know how to make this (perhaps some code to be modified on AndroidManifest.xml) ?
P.S: sorry for bad english
Rotundjere said:
So I wan't to implement Airpush ads on my app (because admob only give me very little).
But I only want to show the Airpush ads when the app is running (no background service / etc),
does anyone here know how to make this (perhaps some code to be modified on AndroidManifest.xml) ?
P.S: sorry for bad english
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Not real sure. Might want to ask the airpush developers. Just a word to the wise but people.tend to remove apps if they find it has airpush included in the app. I mean think about it. How many ad blockers apps are there? Alot because people hate ads. The best apps are ad free
zelendel said:
Not real sure. Might want to ask the airpush developers. Just a word to the wise but people.tend to remove apps if they find it has airpush included in the app. I mean think about it. How many ad blockers apps are there? Alot because people hate ads. The best apps are ad free
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Actually first I also don't happy with Google with their web ads (Adsense, circa 2003-2004). Once the web is very clean (without ads), but after google Adsense, almost any site have ads (even XDA)
but let's face it, even TV has their own advertising long long time a go..
developers definitely need money, just like your local TV station showing good TV shows
IMHO adblockers only works for people who already know XDA or flashing custom ROMs.
"most" people out there don't even know how to block airpush ads
i dont see ads
i have a custom rom on my galaxy s and yea, i would agree the majority of users dont know how to do that.
One would think that. I have dozens of people come into my store all the time asking how to get rid of the ads.
A simple Google search leads them here. That's why we are over 4 million users. Not to mention all the other android sites that tell people how to block them.
I mean if your set on those types of ads then get ahold of the developers that make airpush. Non are here as XDA doesn't support airpush ads at all.
And for the TV ref. I guess that's why I don't keep cable in the house. Lol
I found other ads network (LeadBolt) that use notification ads but doesn't spam it's user. Will try that
I think Google Admob is cheating. They put ads fee $0.1 - $0.6 per click for advertiser,
but for app publisher they only give $0.01 - $0.02 per click
I know everybody hate Airpush,
but I think Airpush isn't evil as Google who try to steal money from app developers
edited: recently I've checked admob allow advertiser to bid $0.01, but I still don't trust them. Admob will not give any real money for app devs
Which one do you prefer?
Are you looking to put them in your game?
I'd say stick with banner ads. Push notification ads and Icon ads can be very annoying from a user's point of view.
Never heard of dial in ads. What are they?
The_R said:
Are you looking to put them in your game?
I'd say stick with banner ads. Push notification ads and Icon ads can be very annoying from a user's point of view.
Never heard of dial in ads. What are they?
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http://www.sellaring.com/
The_R said:
Are you looking to put them in your game?
I'd say stick with banner ads. Push notification ads and Icon ads can be very annoying from a user's point of view.
Never heard of dial in ads. What are they?
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I agree with him..ads with too annoying feature make me hate the ads and the app beside there's more app alternatively to be choose
SellAring stays installed and plays ads even when your app isn’t running
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Think from the perspective of a user. At least I wouldn't want something like that happening on my device. It just makes your app look like an adware.
Even if you make less money off of banner ads its okay as long as you have users who enjoy using your application.
The_R said:
Think from the perspective of a user. At least I wouldn't want something like that happening on my device. It just makes your app look like an adware.
Even if you make less money off of banner ads its okay as long as you have users who enjoy using your application.
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I installed sellaring in my new app. The point is that the user wouldn't know that my app is pushing those ads if I would warn them before app launch. But to tell the truth sellaring is complete nonsense. Here are my figures from yesterday:
Requests-New Users-Fill Rates-CTR-eCPM -Revenues
112-147- 39.29%-0%-$0-0
Fill rate is horrible admob gives me 98% (500 impressions). The users hear the ad but I only get revenue if the call back after their call is finished or acces information by sms (after the phone call a popup appears which prompts to do so).
But yes it is annoying and I even uninstalled my app because even in debug mode you hear those adds every time you call smbdy and that is really annoying
SellAring
Hello,
I'm Yang from sellAring. Motioncoding, I'm sorry to hear you faced some issues with our service and I wanted to say a few things in response to your post.
There may be an error involving the numbers you posted, or perhaps they were not updated at the time you checked. I'd like to look into it and we are always available to help with this sort of issue and you catch us by mail or on Twitter.
Regarding the debug mode you mentioned, we enable 3 modes for initializing in the SDK:
1. Production mode- enabling users to hear up to 2 ads per day.
2. Developer (test) mode – allowing app developers to test our service by hearing an ad on each of their outgoing call.
3. Disable mode - turning off our service.
Your app has to be in mode of production to enable users to hear ads. SellAring was probably in "Developer" mode in your app which should only be used for testing. If you want ads not to play, change sellAring to Disable mode.
I hope this helps, we can always be reached at support at sellaring.com
The_R said:
Are you looking to put them in your game?
I'd say stick with banner ads. Push notification ads and Icon ads can be very annoying from a user's point of view.
Never heard of dial in ads. What are they?
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i agree with you mate its better to stick with banner ads.
[email protected] said:
Hello,
I'm Yang from sellAring...
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Well I finally earned 10$ while I earned 150$ with admob. Sellaring is annoying for users and requieres alot of permission which leads to the thing that some users title apps with sellaring as spyware / malware. Also you guys should improves your site: what about statistics like in admob? Ability to customize ads? ... And I don't know what happend last week but the site was down every day for some hours -> horrible services.
Sorry but thats my experience with sellaring.
hello frnds..i have published my first app on Google play today..here it is..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waliaaps.thortorch&hl=en
i want to ask when should i start monetization ..?..and how should i do it?..
thanks in advance
Never. Just keep it for history. And start developing new cool app
hey..thanks for reply..!
i was thinking about educational apps..are they successful?..
KaitlinM said:
I think it's a hard type of app to monetize. Probably ads are the only way since I don't know how in-app purchases would work for such an app (at least guessing based on the description). As for when to monetize, I don't think you need to wait. Obviously more traffic = more money, but if you can do it relatively non-intrusively (maybe on exit), why not?
What kind of educational app?
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app like "interview questions on java," .NET etc
Freshly released apps have to gain attraction of users, so I think the best idea is to wait with ads for later. Also, it needs thousands of installs to make any revenue, so IMO better to focus on gaining installs first
mkrstudio said:
Freshly released apps have to gain attraction of users, so I think the best idea is to wait with ads for later. Also, it needs thousands of installs to make any revenue, so IMO better to focus on gaining installs first
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For ads, it's better to integrate them from the beginning to avoid massive negative reviews after adding them. If your app is valuable and ads are not intrusive (banners and controled iterstitials) your users will accept ads, you have to think about a premium version to avoid complaints from some users who don't accept ads and are ready to pay to remove them. In-App purchases are a more successful than offering a pro version in most cases (remove ads, new features,...etc)
Hey all, wondering if you could shed some light or share your opinion/view on the matter.
I have analyzed malicious apps that run services in the background to do constant ad impressions and make money. Typically they will autostart themselves using broadcast receivers (from common things like "BOOT_COMPLETE/etc" and invoke services).
From your experience monetizing in-app Android ads, does this seem like a practical way to make money? Im not aware of the common CPM/CPC rates, but if they are good, why dont we see this more with apps? Or even, why arent developers stacking banners on top of each other to make double money per impression for example (ethics aside)? App store may catch it, but there are plenty of ways to obfuscate this from Bouncer. Are there obstacles Im not seeing? Id also like to hear anything else you think I should watch out for with Android in-app ad fraud. Thanks!