A 15-minute tactical guide to rewarded ads, interstitials, and mediation setup for indie games. Learn where to place ads, which networks to use, how to configure mediation waterfalls, and the exact metrics you should track — all without destroying your player experience.
This is from Module 2 — the step-by-step waterfall configuration that typically increases eCPM by 30-50% over a single-network setup. Here's the exact starting stack Devon recommends for indie devs:
Using only AdMob? You're leaving 30-50% of your ad revenue on the table. Mediation lets multiple ad networks compete for every impression in real time, so you always get the highest-paying ad.
Use AppLovin MAX or IronSource LevelPlay as your mediator (both are free). Connect AdMob + Unity Ads + Meta Audience Network. This 3-network setup covers 90%+ fill rate globally.
Turn on in-app bidding for every network that supports it. Bidding lets networks compete in real time instead of you manually ordering a waterfall. It's set-and-forget and outperforms manual setups 95% of the time.
The full course covers ad placement strategies by game genre (idle, puzzle, action, RPG), frequency cap rules that protect retention, the 5 key metrics dashboard setup, and an A/B testing framework for continuous optimization.
Unlock Full Course — $4.99Choose the right ad formats (rewarded, interstitial, banner) for your game genre and session length
Set up ad mediation waterfalls that increase eCPM by 30-50% over single-network setups
Place ads at natural breakpoints that feel like features, not interruptions
Track the 5 key metrics (eCPM, fill rate, ARPDAU, retention delta, ad frequency) that actually matter
Rewarded vs. interstitial vs. banner — when to use each, and the revenue-per-impression math behind the decision.
How to configure AdMob, Unity Ads, IronSource, and AppLovin in a mediation stack for maximum fill and eCPM.
Exact placement strategies for different game loops — idle, puzzle, action, RPG — with retention impact data.
The dashboard setup and A/B testing framework for continuously improving your ad revenue without hurting player satisfaction.
Devon's mediation waterfall setup guide took my eCPM from $4 to $11 overnight. I was leaving so much money on the table with a single ad network.
Runs a portfolio of 5 mobile games generating $8K/month in combined ad revenue. Spent 2 years optimizing ad waterfalls and has tested every major ad network. Shares monthly revenue reports publicly.
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