The Power of Interstitial Ad Network: How to Monetize Its Potential and Yield Ad Revenue

By the end of 2023, approximately 195 billion USD will be spent on mobile advertisements generated by in-app and in-game traffic.

Mobile games are responsible for about 70% of ad revenues in mobile ad networks, making them undoubtedly leaders.

However, advertisers, app developers, affiliate marketers, and app owners need to understand the critical impact of different ad types on their expenses and incomes.

In the modern digital landscape, users are tired of banner ads, so investing in this type of ad across mobile ad networks may not bring the desired results. And interstitial ads may be a great option, as they tend to be more effective in terms of user acquisition. Their eCPM outperforms the eCPM of banner ads by 5,173%.

Let's dive deep into the sphere of interstitial ad networks to better understand what advertisers should pay attention to, how publishers can monetize their inventory, and which interstitial ad networks help this all happen.

Factors that impact the CPM rate of interstitial ads

It's crucial to note that CPM rates fluctuate depending on factors like the niche, target audience, location, operating system, and ad placement.

• The niche is one of the key factors that impact the cost of interstitial ads in a mobile ad network. The more competitive industries often command higher rates.
• Advertisers are ready to pay higher prices for ads that are likely to convert better, thus reaching a valuable and well-defined target audience.
• There are tier 1 countries (US, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Germany, France, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Spain, and Italy), tier 2 countries (Andorra, Argentina, Israel, Indonesia, Brazil, Fiji, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand, Ukraine, China, South Africa, Japan, Turkey, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Romania, and Singapore), and tier 3 countries (Guinea, Tunisia, Shi Lanka, Togo, and Guatemala).
• Ad placement on iOS is usually more expensive than on Android. Other operating systems are also available, depending on the interstitial ad network configuration. Plus, placing interstitial ads in high-traffic areas or during natural breaks in content can increase their value and CPM rates.

What's the average rate for interstitial ads?

The following three price levels can help advertisers calculate their possible ad budget cost, and publishers can count the feasible income yielded.

Low CPM: up to 3 USD

The lowest CPM may vary from 0.25 to 3 USD. This rate is spread across tier 3 countries. At first sight, this price is low, yet it allows advertisers to streamline their ad expenses.

Publishers, in their turn, shouldn't miss an opportunity to generate substantial revenue, especially with a large user base.

Average CPM: 3-5 USD

At the middle level, the price for an interstitial ad fetches between 3 and 5 USD CPM. This is a so-called industry standard for interstitial ads, and various platforms and sectors trade media space at this CPM.

Advertisers invest in the average price of interstitial ads because of the proven effectiveness of this ad type in capturing users' attention and driving engagement.

Publishers with a substantial audience can benefit from the average rate and maintain a steady revenue flow.

High-End: 5-10+ USD CPM

At the top, interstitial ads can rate starting from 5 USD or more per thousand impressions, occasionally reaching over 20 USD or even higher. These high-paying ads are typically reserved for premium publishers with extensive and engaged audiences.

Advertisers may opt to allocate their ad budgets to these expensive placements, expecting to obtain improved results in terms of user engagement and conversion rates.

By securing these high-paying interstitial ads, publishers can experience a significant boost in revenue.

The best interstitial ad networks

What are the best interstitial ad networks? The following table focuses on the crucial characteristics to help you choose the best interstitial ad networks that support not only interstitial ad formats but also other mobile ad formats.

13 Industry-leading interstitial ad networks

Here is a list of trusted and effective interstitial ad networks. We'll focus on the features and benefits of each interstitial ad network in detail. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of interstitial ad network selection.

SmartyAds

SmartyAds offers an SSP and DSP for advertisers and publishers to leverage the potential of both open and private marketplaces and increase their ad revenue.

Supply-side platform offer app developers and publishers lucrative inventory monetization opportunities at optimal CPM, relying on in-app and server-side header bidding technology. With SmartyAds, inventory owners receive real-time data analytics.

Using the SmartyAds demand-side platform, advertisers can be sure to display creativity to the right audience to get more impressions at the best CPM, thanks to smart targeting and retargeting. The platform allows advertisers to adjust their interstitial ad campaign budget by setting a bid price per ad impression and utilizing CPM optimization for the campaign's top performance.

Key features

• Global RTB reach;
• RTB, Direct Deals, PMP;
• in-app traffic from more than 1000 top-rated apps;
• 100% automated campaign optimization;
• Omnichannel targeting, support for mobile, in-app, desktop, and CTV ecosystems;
• The interstitial ad format is supported. Also, DSP for advertisers can serve a range of ad formats such as banner ads, video ads, native ads, rich media, DOOH, CTV, and more;
• Self-serve DSP.

Google AdMob

Let's uncover the peculiarities of such interstitial ad network as Google and Meta, as these two platforms offer the most versatile approach to interstitial ad display for inventory owners and media buyers. So, what are the benefits of interstitial ads here?

Google AdMob is a trusted mediator in mobile advertising. The platform supports interstitial ads, among other ad formats, and delivers comprehensive solutions for effective interstitial ad placement and display.

App owners can monetize their inventory through granular targeting opportunities, matching ads with the user's interests, and enhancing conversion rates and ad revenue. Users, in turn, get rewarded for watching interstitial ads with this interstitial ad network.

With integrated Google Analytics, publishers can monitor metrics and performance to improve engagement, user acquisition, ad revenue, screen views, sessions, app version, screen size, etc.

AdMob's features enable developers to review and filter out ads that may not be suitable for their audience. This ensures they can build robust, long-lasting relationships with advertisers, ensuring brand safety and user satisfaction in their ad campaigns.

Key features

• Opportunity to display ads from millions of Google advertisers;
• Bidding and waterfall auctions for selling ad inventory;
• Available on iOS and Android;
• Full-fledged mobile app analytics;
• Improved ad campaign performance based on user insights;
• No SDK required;
• Free app promotion;
• Fast payment with no transfer fees;
• Over 200 billion monthly ad requests.

Meta Audience Network (MAN)

Meta Audience Network, a former Facebook audience network, facilitates developers and publishers to monetize their inventory by displaying ads on mobile devices in the Meta ecosystem.

Users consume interstitial ads when switching the app screens, e.g., transitioning between game levels. MAN allows for reaching users familiar with a product or brand, so the chance of conversions and return on investment goes up.

The platform supports a real-time bidding system based on the CPM model, which directly depends on the traffic the app receives. The more traffic and better engagement, the higher the ROI.

Key features

• Improved optimization of every ad request;
• Visibility into the actual value of inventory;
• Easy to maintain with fewer ad-ops resources;
• Monthly scheduled payments.

AdMaven

AdMaven holds a large pool of advertisers and publishers, helps them find the best opportunities, and offers ample solutions for their needs.

With over 2 billion daily impressions worldwide, advertisers can reach diverse audiences around the globe. They can boost ROI by building and streamlining campaigns with precise targeting options and algorithms in real time.

AdMaven supports high ad performance with no technical assistance. Publishers can get the most out of selling their ad space and obtain impression rates based on real-time bidding technology. With the easy-to-use interface of the dashboard, publishers can analyze inventory impressions as the data comes in.

Key features

• A self-service platform for advertisers and publishers;
• Direct and entertainment-oriented traffic: mainly streaming, gaming, etc.;
• Global coverage;
• CPM, CPC, and CPA models;
• Access to over 1 billion premium users;
• Great choice of payment methods.

InMobi

InMobi is one of the largest interstitial ad networks, with about 2 billion unique devices worldwide. The platform allows advertisers and publishers to grow their customer audience through engagement and meaningful connections.

Advertisers can acquire new clients by applying multifaceted targeting opportunities, from appographic and lookalike targeting to behavioral targeting. InMobi also provides remarketing during various stages of the lifecycle to encourage new buyers, reengage with current non-active clients, and boost purchases.

Publishers of non-gaming and gaming apps can sell their inventory favorably. Ad revenue comes from ads of various ad formats, including interstitial ads, banners, rewarded video ads, and native ads. InMobi assists in optimizing ads to raise audience engagement and retention.

InMobi provides robust interstitial ad technology for smooth ad shifts and offers flexible CPM rates depending on the operating system.

Key features

• Advanced audience segmentation through targeting and filtering;
• A vast range of ad formats;
• Proprietary ad exchange;
• Available demand-source integrations;
• User ID management solutions.

AppLovin

AppLovin is an industry-recognized solution provider and a robust interstitial ad network. The platform has the IAB tech lab certificate that facilitates the standardization of measurements when collaborating with diverse partners, like Unity, the Trade Desk, Google AdMob, etc.

The network holds a large amount of operating data that enables users to reach better results within a short time. In other words, AppLovin works on various operating systems: not only popular iOS and Android but also FireOS, Unity, and Cordova.

Publishers choose AppLovin as they receive comprehensive data about ad performance, which they can check and adjust at any time. In addition, the platform has built-in tools to identify and improve malicious ads and content to protect inventory owners' brand reputations.

Key features

• Support of the vast number of popular ad types and ad formats;
• 100+ ad partner integrations;
• Real-time QA testing tools;
• Detailed analytics and reporting;
• Brand safety tools.

Unity Ads

Unity Ads is one of the few interstitial ad networks that allows not only mobile advertising but also integration of in-app purchases. This gives app developers and publishers extra monetization opportunities, as they can reach the targeted audience with relevant ads and products.

Unity Ads runs an ad exchange with demand sources so publishers can experiment and use different types of mobile advertisements that are widely compatible with all major mobile operating systems. Additionally, the platform offers comprehensive analytics with real-time performance and metrics.

Key features

• Interstitial ad monetization platform;
• Proprietary ad exchange connected with demand sources;
• Support for dozens of mobile ad formats;
• In-app purchase option;
• Ad management tools.

Pubmatic

Pubmatic provides a wide range of solutions for publishers to drive the monetization of their inventory. Inventory owners can use the tools available on the platform to monitor ad displays and make adjustments to better engage with the relevant audience.

Publishers can sell ad placement through advanced deal and open exchange models to bring into ad budgets and drive an improved return on investment. Pubmatic matches publishers and advertisers to ensure a proper user experience in the app and seamless ad display to get high CPMs.

Key features

• Real-time bidding;
• Open and private marketplaces;
• Proprietary SSP;
• Premium ad demand;
• Great market coverage.

Adsterra Network

Adsterra Network is one of the key players in the field of interstitial ad networks. The monthly impression rate of popular ad formats reaches over 30 billion, with 70% of traffic falling on mobile devices. The platform works with thousands of brands and app owners.

Advertisers can leverage the platform's potential by opting for the assistance of the personal manager or working directly on the easy-to-use self-serve platform with live chat support and a quick launch of the campaign. Advertisers can cooperate with publishers from all over the globe by assessing bids and traffic volume to meet KPIs and boost ROI.

Adsterra Network enables publishers to optimize CPM by offering advanced traffic solutions and access to exclusive and popular brands. Moreover, inventory owners can measure performance with comprehensive analytics to keep CPM stable and high.

Like many other interstitial ad networks, Adsterra prioritizes safety and transparency, so the company allocates a lot of effort into detecting and fighting malicious activity, scams, and fraud. The company has its own security software that verifies each ad campaign before launch.

Key features

• A plethora of ad formats;
• Extensive global coverage;
• Precision targeting;
• Safe advertising space;
• Three-layered malware protection for advertisements;
• Devoted support within the interstitial ad network.

PropellerAds

PropellersAds is another interstitial ad network that races for the leadership position on the market. The platform has one billion users, boasting a striking daily reach of 12 billion impressions.

The key benefit of PropellerAds is that the in-house development department puts efforts into the growth of AI-powered technologies to process loads of users' data and offer them suitable advertisements. With algorithm-driven automation, publishers can steer and balance their budget costs in line with interstitial ad campaign efficiency.

PropellerAds serves not only interstitial ads but also various ad formats. Traffic from the UK, US, and Canada has higher monetization options compared to traffic originating from other regions. Publishers can work without intermediaries on the self-serving platform, taking complete control over the campaign launch and management.

Key features

• Intuitive ad campaign creation and management;
• Algorithm-based campaign auto-optimization;
• Traffic from 195+ countries;
• A member of IAB Europe with an ISO/IEC 27001 Safety Certification.

Media.net

Media.net is an industry-recognized mobile ad network that bridges publishers and advertisers to serve relevant ads with the help of precise targeting to their inventory users.

With millions of daily ad impressions across 500,000 websites, it's one of the largest contextual ad networks.

Media.net analyzes a publisher's website content to understand the niche and matches it with relevant keywords. This ensures that ads are shown to the right users, increasing the likelihood of clicks and conversions.

Media.net prioritizes quality over traffic volume. Nevertheless, websites need to offer high-quality content and maintain steady traffic, particularly from countries like the US, Canada, and the UK.

Key features

• Contextual targeting;
• Real-time bidding;
• Direct deals;
• Premium-demand marketplace;
• Dynamic ad optimization;
• Comprehensive reports and analytics.

Smaato

Smaato is another player in the list of the top mobile ad networks that help inventory owners monetize their platforms. The company's ecosystem includes over 10,000 publishers and 90,000 advertisers. Smaato functions as a marketplace for buying and selling ad space through real-time bidding (RTB) auctions.

SPX's "Dynamic Demand" platform is a standout feature, orchestrating per-impression competition among all advertising sources. This dynamic approach is designed to maximize revenue for publishers, ensuring they get the most value out of their ad inventory.

SPX further streamlines the process by automatically optimizing demand sources through dynamic demand. Additionally, users can mediate other SDK-enabled ad networks, allowing for a well-rounded and customizable advertising strategy.

Key features

• Header bidding and programmatic options;
• Capability to integrate with multiple ad networks;
• Built-in ad exchange servers;
• Built-in ad marketplace;
• Fraud prevention features.

Start.io

Start.io is a mobile ad network that serves a wide range of ad formats and helps inventory owners monetize their platforms at the best market prices. The company puts much effort into precise audience targeting to ensure a quality end-user experience and relevant ad display.

Publishers that work with Start.io can rely on algorithm-based solutions that allow analyzing users' preferences, behaviors, and interests in real time. With the remarketing capabilities provided by the platform, both advertisers and publishers can win.

Key features

• Access to inventory from all over the globe in different ad formats;
• Cooperation with the leading market players through programmatic and direct channels;
• Variety of ad formats, including interstitial ads, banner ads, video ads, native ads, pop-up ads, etc.;
• Quality ad inventory;
• The balance between user experience and ad revenue.

To wrap up

If you find the right interstitial ad network, it means you can integrate interstitial ads into your digital advertising campaign. Whether you have already given interstitial ads a chance or are thinking of how your business can win from them, the list of the best interstitial ad networks for publishers and advertisers mentioned above will always come in handy.

Reviewing each interstitial ad network, you can explore the range of available ad formats and discover what ad placements they are able to serve, whether it is mobile apps, desktops, or something else. Ultimately, you can use this interstitial ad network list to compare the options and make a wise choice.

Join SmartyAds DSP or SmartyAds SSP to profit from interstitial ads.

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