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Introduction to Rewarded Video Ads

Rewarded video ads are ads that are designed to maximize ad availability and preserve full control for the app developer over when, how, and if the reward flow is presented to the user.

For app developers this means that as an app developer you choose when initialize ads. You do this once, then fetch ads early and continuously, and in the background, trigger the reward flow.

Why use Rewarded Video Ads​

Rewarded video ads allow developers to:

  • Offer optional, user-initiated rewards.
  • Avoid forced interruptions.
  • Improve ad fill rate by preparing ads ahead of time.
  • Create a predictable, event-driven reward experience.
  • Unlock additional ad revenue (Large Sound-On User Initiated video demand) .

Common use cases include:

  • Boosts.
  • Unlocking premium features.
  • In-app currency.
  • Customizations.

Core Principles​

Initialize once at the right time​

With Rewarded video ads you:

  • Initialize once per session:
    • At relevant window lifecycle.
    • Not at app start if the reward is contextual.
  • Avoid initializing too early, which causes the ad to sit idle in cache causing reduced effectiveness.
  • Avoid initializing too late which impacts user experience due to loading delays.

With Rewarded video ads you:

  • Optimize performance by preventing unnecessary memory usage.
  • Improve fill rates by requesting closer to intent.
  • Support stronger CPM and overall earnings by aligning ad readiness with real user demand.

Background ad fetching​

Once initiated, the SDK continuously fetches ads in the background. This significantly increases the chance of getting an ad in the user session.

Control the reward flow​

  • The SDK doesn’t decide when to show the rewarded flow. As the app developer you have complete control over the ad flow. You decide:
  • When to offer a reward.
  • How to visually present it.
  • Whether to start playback.
  • Use the containerID in the container settings object to track the performance of individual ad units inside your app if you have more than one. For more information, see Rewarded Ad Unit Best Practices.

Readiness doesn't equal playback​

  • An ad being ready doesn’t mean it plays automatically.
  • Playback only starts when the developer makes the ad container visible.

Reward completion is explicit​

  • Use the complete event to signal that a rewarded ad finished successfully.
  • Rewards should be granted only after a successful ad completion.

Optional shutdown​

  • Rewarded ads are designed to run in the background in order to maximize fill.
  • Use shutdown() to permanently disable the rewarded ad session and only when your app logic requires it (e.g. reward caps).

Rewarded video ad unit best practices​

  • Before implementing Rewarded Ad Units, consider where inside your app you want to place the ads as well as what would you like to reward users with. Keep the following in mind:

    • Rewarded ads have strict per-user frequency caps (each user can only be exposed to a limited number of ads), total yield is primarily driven by reach, not repeat impressions.
      To maximize revenue, place rewarded ads in high-traffic moments where the largest number of unique users can see the unit, rather than relying on repeated exposure to the same users.
    • Avoid disrupting gameplay. Implement Rewarded Ads Units only at natural breaks in the player flow, such as the summary lobby, post-game screen, or second-screen windows.

  • Provide clear and accurate disclosures–make sure that users are aware of the rewarded video ad in your app. Use easy access reward prompts that are easily discoverable and that only require 1-2 clicks. These disclosures must be unambiguous to the user. For example, you can add text that says “Watch the ad to earn X coins!” to the video ad play button.

  • Implement a clear action that the user has to take before the video ad is played for them. For example, a button that the user has to click.

  • Any rewarded implementation must clearly communicate the benefit to the user and reliably deliver the promised reward upon ad completion.

  • Offer meaningful rewards—use items relevant to your app. Consult with your Devrel for further assistance and information regarding monetary value.

  • Have prominent reward prompts to ensure all eligible users are aware.

  • Be relevant to your App and align with core experience mechanics.

  • Be scaled / offered in appropriate intervals, so that they remain valuable to users as they advance through the reward program.

  • Be a limited-time or rare reward to increase engagement.

  • Motivate users by offering status progression, collection, customization, or competition.

  • Be offered at strategic moments related to your app.