Today, Microsoft is releasing several important capabilities that allow you to increase ad revenue in your apps:
- Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK for Windows 10
- Support for video interstitials on Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10, ideal for games
- Ad mediation for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 apps, to manage multiple ad SDKs and increase fill rate
If you have questions about the features mentioned in this blog, take a look at the more detailed Announcing the Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK with support for video interstitial ads and ad mediation post from Microsoft Advertising.
Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK for Windows 10
The Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK is now available for Windows 10 devices. The ad SDK also supports Windows and Windows Phone 8.1 apps. The new ad SDK is built using native code and does not require .NET runtime, reducing the memory used and increasing performance. In addition, the new Ad SDK integrates several bug fixes and reduces the minimum refresh time to 30 seconds (previously it was 60 seconds when the app was running in metered networks).
To use the SDK, install the new ad SDK, then drag and drop the control, and configure it.
Support for video interstitials
Today we are releasing the capability to display video interstitials through the Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK. Video ads are a highly popular way of monetizing apps and games, and can offer higher eCPM than banner ads. Video Ads are supported in Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 through the Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK released today.
Read the instructions on how to use video interstitials to get started.
Ad mediation for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 apps, enhancements for Windows Phone
Dev Center has supported ad mediation for Windows Phone apps for some time now, allowing you to manage multiple ad SDKs from different providers to achieve up to a 99% fill rate, thus increasing the ad revenue in your apps. Enabling ad mediation is easy, just add the Windows ad mediation SDK to an app and submit it to the Store. You can then managing multiple ad networks without having to modify the app code or resubmit the app for certification.
Today’s release adds:
- A newad mediator for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 C# and VB XAML apps, supporting ads from Microsoft Advertising, Smaato and AdDuplex
- An update to the existing ad mediation SDK for Windows Phone 8.x apps, including bug fixes and performance enhancements, supporting ads from Microsoft Advertising, AdDuplex, Google AdMob, Inneractive, Smaato, InMobi, and MobFox
With the new release, you have the same capabilities and reports provided previously for Windows Phone ad mediation, such as tracking fill rate for each ad network and users by configuration. Ad mediation is supported by both Visual Studio 2015 and Visual Studio 2013, and supports Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.x, and Windows 10 UWP apps.
To try out ad mediation, follow the steps described in the documentation. I also recommend reading the best practices to help you get started. All these new capabilities are detailed in the Announcing the Microsoft Universal Ad Client SDK with support for video interstitial ads and ad mediation post from Microsoft Advertising.
As we continue to roll out new features and tools for Dev Center, please let us know if there are any issues (through support) or new features you’d like to see included in future releases (through user voice).