This document discusses how to succeed with rewarded video ads. It begins with an introduction to rewarded video ads, noting they are 15-second videos users opt-in to watch in exchange for in-app rewards. It then compares rewarded video ads to traditional video ads, finding rewarded videos have higher user retention, completion rates and LTV. Examples are given of apps successfully using rewarded videos. The document concludes by providing guidance on integrating rewarded videos, including ad placement, frequency, rewards and partner selection.

1. How To Succeed With
Rewarded Video Ads

2. 2
About InMobi
InMobi is the world’s most powerful mobile advertising platform enabling brands,
developers, and publishers to engage mobile consumers globally.
Recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the 50 Disruptive Companies,
InMobi reaches over 1 billion unique mobile devices across 200 countries.

3. 3
Agenda
What is Rewarded Video
Comparison with Video Ads
Rewarded Video in Action
Integrating Rewarded Video in an App
Questions
1
2
3
4
5

4. 4
Agenda
What is Rewarded Video
Comparison with Video Ads
Rewarded Video in Action
Integrating Rewarded Video in an App
Questions
1
2
3
4
5

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Monetization is difficult
● 2% of all developers split 54% of all app revenue,
making over $100,000 per month
● 88 % of developers make under $10,000/month
● On both iOS and Android, 15% of developers earn only
$100 - $500 per app per month
Source: Developer Economics

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How can you make your mark?
1. Build a superb app.
2. ????
3. PROFIT!
Step 2 usually involves marketing & some luck!

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Monetization using ads
● One way to make money from your app is by showing
ads
● Ad units like banner and text are commonly used but
are also low eCPM and low-engagement formats
You can maximize profits, by choosing your ad formats wisely
Banner ads are dead
Dave Maxwell
Game Developer“
“

8. Enter Rewarded Video

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What is Rewarded Video?
● Is a short video ad format
● Around 15 seconds long
● Non-skippable video
● User opts-in to watch the video in exchange for reward
– Virtual goods or in-app gifts

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Anatomy of a Rewarded Video ad
Video
length is
around 15
seconds
Always
ON sound
User-Centric
Ad
Experience
Non
Intrusive Ad
Placement

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Anatomy of a Rewarded Video ad
Video
length is
around 15
seconds
Always
ON sound
User-Centric
Ad
Experience
Non
Intrusive Ad
Placement
Data
Augmented
CTA
Engaging,
dynamic
End Card
Replay Button

12. 12
Agenda
What is Rewarded Video
Comparison with Video Ads
Rewarded Video in Action
Integrating Rewarded Video in an App
Questions
1
2
3
4
5

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Video vs Rewarded Video
Metric Video Ads Rewarded Video Ads
User is Rewarded? No
Yes. User might choose to prolong the game by watching
a video.
User Retention Low High
Skippable? Yes No
LTV of users acquired Low High
Method Video is pushed to user Users opt-in to view the ad
Video completion Rates Low High due to non-skippable format

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Why we should consider Rewarded Video
Monetization
● Encourages players to stay with a game longer than they might otherwise
● Provides high eCPMs
● User-centric experience
● Rewarded Video Ads can be used to nudge non-paying users towards IAPs (Less than 5%* of
users make even one in-app purchase)
* AppAnnie

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Why we should consider Rewarded Video
User Acquisition
● Provides high quality, engaged users to advertisers
● Increases brand recall through guaranteed video completes, leading to increased organic
downloads
● Incentivized-view only, leading to informed clicks and high quality downloads

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Success stories
● RedBit Games, LimaSky and Apex Designs saw their eCPMs surge
after implementing Rewarded Video Ads
● Crossy Road has made >1 million dollars from Rewarded Video
Ads alone!
Cookie Clickers Doodle Jump: DC Edition Crossy Road

17. 17
Agenda
What is Rewarded Video
Comparison with Video Ads
Rewarded Video in Action
Integrating Rewarded Video in an App
Questions
1
2
3
4
5

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Rewarded Videos work for
● Most genres of gaming apps
– Arcade
– Cards/Casino
– Adventure/Simulation
– RPG/ACTION
● Non-gaming apps
– Music streaming
– Social
Subway Surfers Slotomania Payback 2 Spotify Text Me

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Gaming
90’s Word Puzzles
Bitcoin Billionaire

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Non-Gaming
Spotify is using rewarded video
for giving free 20-30 min of
streaming time to non-premium
users

21. 21
Agenda
What is Rewarded Video
Comparison with Video Ads
Rewarded Video in Action
Integrating Rewarded Video in an App
Questions
1
2
3
4
5

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Things to consider
1. Where should I place an ad
2. What should be the frequency of ad
3. What rewards can I offer
1. Which ad platform should I work with

23. Ad Placement & Frequency

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Common placements for your Rewarded Video
At a store front
A non-paying user can opt to watch a video in exchange for
rewards like, coins, level up etc.

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Common placements for your Rewarded Video
During gameplay
At the start of the game to get power packs or
game boosts
As an incentive for not abandoning the game on
repeated failures.

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Common placements for your Rewarded Video
At any point in the app
Use this to upsell a premium version
of your app – could be ad-free or with
more features

27. Rewards

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How to choose the right reward
● Give users options
– Make the experience of receiving rewards even more gratifying by giving them reward options to choose from
– This A/B testing will give you insights for future rewards
● Personalized Rewards
– Reward your users based on their progress in the game. Loyal users get bigger rewards.
● Money is not all!
– Instead of sticking to virtual currencies, you may reward users creatively
– For instance Spotify leveraged rewarded video ads to gift users 30 minutes of free streaming
● Train your users to think of IAP
– Giving out rewards that are similar to those given out for IAPs can nudge them to buy IAPs to get ahead in the
game.

29. Choosing Your Ad
Platform

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Choosing the right Ad Platform
● Do the ads load fast?
● Is the video experience in HD?
● What does the end card look like?
● Global demand
● Flexibility on the format

31. Rewarded Video Integration
Reward users
on completion
of incentivized
action
Enjoy user
retention and
higher
monetization!
Decide to
reward users
Identify
rewarded slots
on app
Integrate with
ad network’s
SDK/API

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Rewarded Video Integration Checklist
• Two part integration – Interstitial and
Callback Mechanism
• Preload Video Ad
• Right reward for right placement

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● InMobi inDecode - Helping Developers Decode The App Business
● Write to us at developer@inmobi.com

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Agenda
What is Rewarded Video
Comparison with Video Ads
Rewarded Video in Action
Integrating Rewarded Video in an App
Questions
1
2
3
4
5

35. Questions?