For the most part, ads on iPhone apps seem to mimic the formats we’ve come to know via more traditional online browsing on PCs. A relatively non-intrusive banner typically shows up at the top or bottom of the open screen. (I have yet to see an app that forces a “pre-roll” ad before the app runs)
However, with the relatively slow data transmission speeds we see on iPhones (even those lucky enough to enjoy consistent 3G connectivity) and a clunkier way of shuttling between different browser windows and applications (the iPhone does not allow apps to run in the background, so exiting an app to visit a Website will shut down the app), user engagement with ads is a far more disruptive event and much less likely to happen among those users who don’t want their workflow or play interrupted.
Branding opportunities remain, though, especially on a new platform where novelty of the medium commands users’ attention. And hypertargeted ads tailored so well to a user’s needs might also perform well enough to cross the “interruption chasm”.
There are already several ad network/platforms available for iPhone apps. Here’s the current list of offerings:
Crisp Wireless – currently creates banners + microsites; used by the New York Times and Washington Post apps
PurpleTalk – allows creation of customizable text banners; features ad exchange “Partner Network”
AppLoop – claims to be the first real-time, location-based mobile advertising network
Pinch Media – widely used ad network on dozens of iPhone apps
Medialets – offers CPM, CPC and CPA advertising run natively through iPhone apps
AdMob -offers rich-media (video-, map- and Apple App Store-integrated) banner ads on iPhone apps; also has an impressive list of signed clients
Application Advertising
The following have specific iPhone application advertising solutions for those that have created iPhone applications and wish to earn revenue by placing advertising in their iPhone application. Some of the following advertising networks are exclusively iPhone applications and others have programs for iPhone applications as well as other publisher solutions.
How do iPhone app ads work?
Although the solutions are different in terms of how they render in an app and what the engagement and payment models are, they typically comprise clickable banner ads, which either link to an iPhone-optimized microsite, a Web page, or, in the case of AdMob’s banners, even video, map or App Store integration.
For Revenue:
Medialets: Insert ads into your application using easy to drop in Objects, also track your users interaction with your application, earn a CPM.
AdMob: Offers ads for your iPhone using Javascript” code. AdMob has been around for a while and has publisher solutions for mobile phones, not just iPhone applications.
PinchMedia: Offers ads and analytics for your iPhone application, exclusively for iPhone applications.
For Ad Swapping:
PurpleTalk: PurpleTalk allows you to join an advertising exchange with other iPhone developers. You earn advertising views of an advertisement for your application when you advertise others. You do not make money with these ads however it is a free way to increase the adoption of your own application.
For Analytics:
PinchMedia: Offers analytics for your iPhone application, exclusively for iPhone applications.
As iPhone’s become more popular by the day, and applications become more widely used your application may become a nice revenue generator. Many options exist.
If you have a new application you could use the PurpleTalk code to gain free exposure and hope to increase your application adoption. Once you have gained adoption and increased usage you could add the advertising code from one of the above iPhone Publisher Networks and start earning revenue from your inventory.
