How much do apps pay per ad?
- Sana Sheikh
- Sep 18, 2024
- 6 min read

Mobile app advertising has become a major source of revenue for developers, and it's a common question to ask: how much do apps pay per ad? App developers earn money through various advertising models, including cost-per-click (CPC), cost-per-impression (CPM), and cost-per-action (CPA). The amount of money earned per ad depends on several factors, including the type of ad, the app's user base, and geographic location. This article explores how much money apps can make from ads and how businesses can take advantage of app advertising.
How Much Do Ads Pay on an App?
The earnings from ads on apps depend on the type of advertisement and how users interact with it.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common ad formats and their associated payouts:
Cost-per-click (CPC): Developers earn money each time a user clicks on an ad. The CPC rate typically ranges from $0.05 to $1 per click, depending on the app's niche and audience.
Cost-per-impression (CPM): With CPM, app developers are paid for every 1,000 views of an ad. The CPM rate can vary greatly, with most apps earning between $0.50 and $10 per 1,000 views, depending on factors like user engagement and ad placement.
Cost-per-action (CPA): CPA ads pay developers when users complete a specific action, such as signing up for a service or making a purchase. CPA rates are usually higher than CPC or CPM, often ranging from $1 to $5 per action.
The actual earnings per ad also depend on the ad network being used, as well as the app’s audience demographics.
Is It Possible to Earn $100 a Day from Ads in Mobile Games?
Earning $100 a day from ads in mobile games is certainly possible, but it requires a significant user base and high engagement.
Here are a few factors that determine whether you can reach this goal:
Number of Active Users: The more active users your app has, the more ad impressions and clicks you’ll generate. For example, if your app has 10,000 daily active users and your CPM is $5, you would need about 20,000 ad impressions per day to earn $100.
Ad Placement: Strategic ad placement in high-traffic areas of your game can improve ad visibility and increase engagement, leading to higher earnings.
Ad Formats: Video ads, especially rewarded video ads, tend to have higher engagement and payouts compared to banner ads.
With effective monetization strategies, it’s entirely feasible to generate $100 a day from mobile game ads.
How Much Do Ads Pay Per 1,000 Views?
On average, ads in apps pay between $0.50 and $10 per 1,000 views (CPM). The CPM can vary depending on factors like the app’s niche, the quality of the audience, and the ad network used. For example, apps that target users in high-income countries or specific demographics may command higher CPMs than those targeting a general audience.
In Pakistan, CPM rates for mobile apps may be lower than in more developed markets, but developers can still expect to earn between PKR 50 and PKR 300 per 1,000 views, depending on the app’s audience.
How Much Does a 1,000 App Download Make?
The revenue generated from 1,000 app downloads depends on the monetization method used by the app developer.
Here’s a breakdown of potential earnings:
Paid Apps: If your app costs $1 to download, 1,000 downloads would generate $1,000 in gross revenue before app store fees.
Freemium Model with Ads: For free apps that earn money through ads, the revenue depends on the CPM and user engagement. If your app has a CPM of $5 and each user generates 10 ad impressions, 1,000 downloads could result in around $50 in ad revenue.
In-App Purchases: Apps with in-app purchases can earn significantly more if users make purchases. The revenue per 1,000 downloads will vary based on the percentage of users who buy premium features.
How Much Do Apps Pay Per Ad in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the earnings from ads in mobile apps tend to be lower compared to markets like the United States or Europe. The CPC for app ads in Pakistan typically ranges from PKR 1 to PKR 10, while the CPM can be anywhere from PKR 50 to PKR 300 per 1,000 impressions. Video ads, especially rewarded ads, tend to have higher engagement rates and can command CPMs of PKR 200 to PKR 500.

How Much Money Does a 15-Second Video Ad on an App Make?
Video ads, especially rewarded video ads, tend to generate more revenue than other formats like banners. A 15-second video ad on a mobile app can earn $0.05 to $0.30 per view, depending on the user engagement and ad network. In Pakistan, the payout for video ads may be lower, ranging from PKR 5 to PKR 30 per completed video.
Apps that implement video ads effectively can see higher earnings, especially if users are motivated to watch ads for in-app rewards, like extra lives or game currency.
How Much Money Do Apps Make Per Ad?
The amount apps make per ad varies widely depending on factors like the ad format, user engagement, and geographic location.
On average:
Banner Ads: Apps earn around $0.01 to $0.05 per click.
Video Ads: Apps can earn between $0.05 to $0.30 per view, with higher rates for rewarded video ads.
Interstitial Ads: These ads, which appear at natural breaks in an app, typically pay between $0.10 and $1 per click.
How Much Money Do Apps Make Per Download?
For paid apps, the revenue per download is straightforward. If your app costs $1, each download generates $1 in gross revenue. However, app store platforms like Google Play and Apple take a 30% cut, meaning developers earn $0.70 per download.
For free apps, revenue depends on how well the app is monetized through ads or in-app purchases. An app with 1,000 downloads and effective ad integration could earn $50 to $500, depending on the level of user engagement and ad impressions.
Mobile App Ad Revenue Calculator
A mobile app ad revenue calculator helps developers estimate how much they can earn based on metrics like CPM, active users, and ad impressions.
To use a calculator:
Input the number of daily active users.
Estimate the average number of ad impressions per user.
Input the CPM (e.g., $5).
For example, if your app has 5,000 daily active users, each generating 10 impressions per day, and your CPM is $5, you would earn:
5,000 users x 10 impressions x $5 CPM / 1,000 = $250 per day.
How Do App Developers Make Money from Play Store?
App developers make money from the Google Play Store in several ways:
Paid Apps: Developers earn a percentage of each download. After Google’s 30% commission, developers keep 70% of the app’s price.
In-App Purchases: Apps can offer premium features or digital goods. Google also takes a 30% cut of in-app purchases.
Ad Revenue: Free apps often use ads to generate revenue, earning through CPC or CPM models.
Subscriptions: Developers can offer subscription-based services, with Google Play taking its standard commission.
How Much Does Play Store Pay for 1 Million Downloads?
For paid apps, 1 million downloads at $1 per download would generate $1 million in gross revenue. After Google’s 30% cut, developers would earn $700,000. If the app includes in-app purchases, developers can earn additional revenue based on user transactions.
For free apps with ads, 1 million downloads could generate $5,000 to $50,000 in ad revenue, depending on engagement, CPM, and how often users interact with ads.
How Do Apps Make Money?
Apps make money through several monetization models:
Paid Downloads: Users pay upfront to download the app.
In-App Purchases: Users buy digital goods, like extra features, virtual currency, or premium content.
Subscriptions: Users pay a recurring fee for access to premium services.
Advertising: Free apps earn money by showing ads to users through networks like Google AdMob.
Affiliate Marketing: Apps can promote other products or services and earn a commission on sales generated through their platform.
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Final Thoughts
Mobile app ads offer a lucrative revenue stream for developers, with earnings depending on factors like ad format, user engagement, and market. Understanding how much apps pay per ad and how to optimize ad placement is crucial for maximizing revenue. Additionally, leveraging platforms like Alpha Book Publisher for guest posts and backlinks is a great way to improve SEO and build brand authority.




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