Written by: Mariana Fonseca, Editorial Team, DTCROAS
Key Takeaways for Gaming Publishers
- Rewarded in-app video ads drive completion rates above 95% and eCPMs of $10-25 for gaming publishers in 2026.
- Mediation platforms such as AppLovin MAX aggregate multiple networks through waterfall or bidding, which increases fill rates and revenue.
- Gaming audiences deliver extended engagement and 71% same-day purchase rates, which suits DTC and e-Commerce advertisers.
- Top networks include AdMob, ironSource, and InMobi, while Axon adds high-value DTC demand that can lift eCPMs by more than 20%.
- Gaming publishers can reach these advertisers and run AI-based advertising campaigns by creating an Axon account.
How This Guide Helps You Grow Ad Revenue
This guide explains 2026 market trends, core concepts, top networks, mediation workflows, eCPM benchmarks, and practical steps to grow revenue from in-app video advertising networks. It follows four phases: Evaluate, Integrate, Optimize, and Scale, so you can move from research to execution with a clear plan.
Within this framework, publishers can access premium demand through DTC ROAS, a platform that prioritizes high-return DTC demand through Axon by AppLovin integration. These performance gains come from connecting publishers to advertisers who value the extended attention that mobile gaming environments provide.
Evaluate: Market and Ecosystem Overview
In-app video advertising relies on two main formats: rewarded videos where users opt in for in-game benefits, and interstitial ads that appear during natural gameplay transitions. Gaming apps control most of the in-app advertising market because free-to-play models and high engagement create strong inventory.
AppLovin’s advertising platform processes more spend than Pinterest, Snapchat, and Reddit combined, and Axon delivers AI-based advertising optimization tuned for gaming environments. The MAX mediation platform reaches over one billion daily active users, primarily adults who play casual titles such as Candy Crush, Solitaire, and Crossword puzzles.
Leading networks include AdMob, ironSource, InMobi, and social channels such as Meta and Google, each serving different publisher needs. DTC ROAS then adds access to Axon’s DTC-focused advertiser base, which targets the 71% of gamers who make same-day purchases after viewing ads.
Evaluate: Audience Behavior and Gaming Environments
Mobile gaming audiences exceed one billion users worldwide and show lean-forward engagement along with strong receptivity to advertising. This receptivity translates into extended engagement, with the 35-second average attention span mentioned earlier far outpacing the 1-2 second attention windows on social media feeds.
These longer sessions occur because gaming environments create natural advertising moments through rewarded placements and level transitions. Users expect and often welcome ad experiences when they receive progression benefits such as extra lives, currency, or power-ups.
Evaluate: Who Benefits Most from This Playbook
Indie developers, mid-sized studios, and agencies that manage gaming portfolios all need monetization strategies that protect retention while growing revenue. DTC ROAS supports these teams by connecting them with e-Commerce and DTC advertisers who already understand how gaming audiences behave as shoppers.
Evaluate: Core Concepts and Metrics to Know
Publishers evaluating in-app video advertising networks rely on a small set of metrics that shape revenue potential and operational complexity. These concepts form the foundation for comparing networks and building effective mediation strategies.
- eCPM (Effective Cost Per Mille): Revenue per 1,000 ad impressions, which serves as the main revenue metric.
- Fill Rate: Percentage of ad requests that return an ad, which affects both revenue and user experience.
- Mediation: Technology layer that aggregates multiple ad networks to increase revenue and stability.
- Rewarded Video: Opt-in video format that grants in-game benefits when users complete the ad.
- VAST Tags: Video ad serving templates that enable programmatic delivery across different platforms.
- Waterfall vs. Bidding: Sequential network prioritization compared with real-time auction models that compete each impression.
Evaluate & Scale: Top In-App Video Advertising Partners in 2026
DTC ROAS combined with Axon gives gaming publishers access to high-value DTC advertisers. Portland Leather achieved 65% higher ROAS compared to other social digital ad platforms by using Axon’s AI-based advertising optimization and extended attention spans.
Through DTC ROAS, Axon connects publishers with DTC advertisers, provides AI-based advertising bidding optimization, and supports Shopify pixel integration for more accurate performance measurement.
Integrate & Optimize: Implementation Workflow and Mediation Guide
Once you identify the networks that match your goals, the next step is to integrate them through a mediation platform and refine performance over time. Successful implementation usually follows four connected steps.
- SDK Integration: Install the mediation platform software development kit, such as AppLovin MAX, AdMob, or ironSource, across your titles.
- Waterfall Configuration: Place DTC ROAS and Axon in a high-priority position so high-value demand competes first for impressions.
- A/B Testing: Test rewarded and interstitial formats across user segments to find the right mix of revenue and retention.
- Performance Monitoring: Track eCPM, fill rate, and user retention through analytics tools such as Triple Whale, then adjust placements and frequency based on results.
StickyHands increased total ad revenue by 20% after switching from third-party waterfall mediation to AdMob bidding, which shows the impact of a tuned mediation stack.
Optimize: 2026 eCPM Benchmarks and Measurement
After you configure your mediation stack, you need benchmarks to confirm that performance stays competitive. Current rewarded video eCPMs for US gaming apps usually fall between $10 and $16 on both Android and iOS.
Premium networks such as DTC ROAS and Axon often reach $10-25 eCPMs through exclusive DTC advertiser access and AI-based advertising optimization. These higher eCPMs reflect several performance advantages that publishers should track closely.
- Completion Rates: Above 95% for rewarded videos, which supports strong pricing.
- ARPDAU (Average Revenue Per Daily Active User) Impact: Increases of 30-40% when ad integration and placements are tuned.
- Retention Rates: Stable or improved retention when publishers apply sensible frequency caps.
HexClad recorded a 13% incremental lift in new customer orders using Axon’s advanced targeting and measurement, which highlights the value for DTC advertisers.
Optimize: Common Challenges and How to Address Them
Publishers often face four recurring obstacles when they scale in-app video advertising, and each one calls for a specific response.
- Ad Fatigue: Users tire of repetitive creatives, which Axon’s prospecting campaigns reduce by focusing on new audiences instead of constant retargeting.
- Low Fill Rates: Single-network setups often miss demand, while mediation platforms raise fill rates by combining several sources.
- User Experience Concerns: Poorly timed ads interrupt gameplay, but contextual placement during natural breaks keeps sessions smooth.
- Complex Setup: Integrating multiple networks can overwhelm smaller teams, so DTC ROAS offers a streamlined Axon integration process.
Start maximizing your eCPM with Axon’s DTC-focused advertiser base.
Scale: Turning In-App Video Into a Growth Channel
The Evaluate, Integrate, Optimize, and Scale framework helps gaming publishers grow in-app video revenue while protecting user experience. Axon, accessed through DTC ROAS, combines DTC-focused advertiser access, AI-based advertising optimization, and extended attention spans to deliver strong performance.
Publishers that place DTC ROAS near the top of their mediation setup often see the significant eCPM gains described earlier, driven by e-Commerce advertisers who value gaming audiences’ purchase behavior.
Integrate Axon-powered campaigns and boost your advertising revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rewarded video ad networks work best for gaming publishers in 2026?
DTC ROAS provides exclusive access to Axon, which connects publishers with DTC advertisers and uses AI-based advertising optimization supported by extended attention spans. Other strong options include AdMob for straightforward integration, ironSource for robust mediation tools, and InMobi for broad international reach. The most effective setups use mediation to prioritize high-eCPM partners such as DTC ROAS and Axon while keeping secondary networks for coverage.
What in-app advertising eCPM ranges should publishers expect in 2026?
US gaming apps usually see rewarded video eCPMs between $10 and $16 across Android and iOS, while premium partners such as DTC ROAS and Axon can reach $10-25 through exclusive DTC demand. Interstitial formats often generate eCPMs in the $9-15 range. Geography also matters, since Tier 1 markets such as the US, UK, Germany, and Japan often command eCPMs that are three times higher than global averages.
How does mediation work with AppLovin and other networks?
Mediation platforms such as AppLovin MAX connect multiple ad networks through a single SDK and manage revenue through real-time bidding or waterfall logic. Publishers set network priority based on historical eCPM performance, with DTC ROAS and Axon often placed near the top for high-value DTC demand. The system then requests ads from the highest-priority network that can fill the impression, which supports strong fill rates and revenue. Well-tuned mediation can deliver 20-25% eCPM improvements compared with single-network setups.
What completion rates can publishers expect from rewarded video ads?
Rewarded video ads usually achieve completion rates above 95% because users choose to watch them, while traditional video formats often sit closer to 60-70%. These high completion rates support eCPMs that run two to three times higher than standard video ads. Gaming environments benefit in particular, since users willingly watch ads to gain in-game advantages such as extra lives, currency, or faster progression.
How can publishers manage ad frequency without increasing churn?
Effective frequency management starts with contextual placement during natural gameplay breaks instead of rigid timers. Rewarded videos work best at friction points such as running out of lives or currency, while interstitials fit between levels or sessions. Publishers can run cohort analysis to find the right time to introduce ads for new users, often after engagement patterns become clear.
A/B testing different frequency caps while tracking retention helps teams balance monetization with satisfaction. Mediation platforms then supply the analytics needed to refine ad load over time.
