For app developers, AdMob is a trusted name in mobile ad monetization, powering apps from Tango Live to Zoho Invoice with its robust ad platform. But what if you could take AdMob’s potential and supercharge it? Enter AdMob mediation—a game-changing approach that blends multiple ad networks into one seamless system, driving higher fill rates and boosting your earnings. In just six months, I used mediation to lift my app’s revenue from $500 to $1,200 a month—all through smart ad optimization.
In this article, I’ll break down what AdMob mediation is, how it works, and why it’s a must-try for ad revenue growth in 2025. From leveraging multiple ad networks to mastering ad optimization, here’s your guide to maximizing AdMob like a pro.
What Is AdMob Mediation?
At its core, AdMob mediation is a tool that lets you combine AdMob with multiple ad networks—think Unity Ads, ironSource, or AppLovin—under one umbrella. Instead of relying solely on AdMob to serve ads, mediation taps into a pool of networks, automatically selecting the best-performing ad for each impression. The result? Higher fill rates, better CPMs, and serious ad revenue gains.
I started with AdMob alone on my fitness app, earning a steady $500/month. But fill rates dipped in some regions, leaving ad slots empty. Mediation changed that, blending multiple ad networks to ensure every user saw an ad—pushing my earnings up fast.
Why Mediation Matters in 2025
AdMob is powerful, but it’s not perfect. Its fill rates—how often ad requests are filled—can falter outside Tier 1 markets, and CPMs vary by region. For apps like public app or MXL TV, where global users dominate, this inconsistency hurts. AdMob mediation solves that by:
- Boosting Fill Rates: If AdMob can’t serve an ad, another network steps in, ensuring a higher fill rate.
- Maximizing Revenue: Multiple ad networks compete, driving up CPMs through real-time bidding.
- Simplifying Ad Optimization: One SDK manages everything—no juggling separate integrations.
In 2025, with ad blockers on Chrome browser and shifting habits via Digital Wellbeing, mediation keeps your ad revenue flowing.
How AdMob Mediation Works
Setting up AdMob mediation sounds complex, but it’s straightforward with Android Studio download. Here’s the process I followed:
- Enable Mediation in AdMob: In the AdMob dashboard, I turned on mediation and added networks like ironSource and Unity Ads.
- Integrate SDKs: I added the AdMob mediation adapter for each network—a quick copy-paste into my app’s code.
- Set a Waterfall: I ranked networks by priority (e.g., AdMob first, then AppLovin), letting mediation cascade until an ad filled.
- Test and Launch: Used AdMob’s test mode to ensure ads flowed smoothly across Samsung Internet and native app users.
Once live, mediation ran silently, pulling ads from multiple ad networks to optimize every impression. My higher fill rate jumped from 70% to 95% in weeks.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Multiple Ad Networks
Not all networks suit every app. For my fitness tracker, I picked multiple ad networks based on my audience:
- Unity Ads: High CPMs for rewarded videos, perfect for my workout rewards.
- ironSource: Strong mediation tools and interstitials, boosting higher fill rates.
- AppLovin: Native ads that blended with my UI, enhancing ad optimization.
For a social app like Tango Live, Facebook Audience Network might shine; for utilities like Citrix Workspace download, AdMob plus MoPub could work. The secret? Match networks to your niche for maximum ad revenue.
Step 2: Achieving Higher Fill Rates
Empty ad slots kill ad revenue. Before mediation, my app’s fill rate hovered at 70%—30% of users saw no ads, especially in Asia. AdMob mediation flipped that:
- Network Backup: If AdMob failed, ironSource filled the gap, pushing my higher fill rate to 95%.
- Global Reach: Unity Ads excelled in Europe, while AppLovin covered smaller markets.
- Real-Time Bidding: Some networks bid for impressions, lifting CPMs alongside fill rates.
By month two, my daily impressions doubled, driving ad revenue from $500 to $800—proof higher fill rates pay off.
Step 3: Ad Optimization for Maximum Revenue
Mediation isn’t set-it-and-forget-it—it thrives on ad optimization. I fine-tuned my setup:
- Ad Format Mix: Kept rewarded ads (via Unity Ads) for engagement, added native ads (via AppLovin) for subtlety, and used AdMob interstitials for balance.
- Frequency Control: Limited interstitials to every 8 minutes, ensuring users stayed (unlike Dubsmash-style overload).
- A/B Testing: AdMob’s tools let me test network order—swapping ironSource to the top boosted CPM 15%.
This ad optimization pushed my average CPM from $3 to $7, turning mediation into a mobile monetization goldmine.
Step 4: Scaling with Mediation
To hit $1,200/month, I scaled smartly:
- User Growth: Used ASO to grow my app to 20,000 users, amplifying impressions across multiple ad networks.
- Second App: Launched a diet planner, linking it to the same AdMob account. Mediation worked across both, adding $400/month.
- Dynamic Waterfall: Adjusted network priority monthly based on performance—ironSource led in Q1 2025, then Unity Ads.
Ad revenue soared as mediation kept fill rates high and CPMs competitive. It’s mobile monetization with muscle.
The Benefits of AdMob Mediation
Why bother with AdMob mediation? Here’s what I gained:
- Higher Fill Rates: Near-100% ad delivery, no missed opportunities.
- Revenue Boost: CPMs rose 133% by tapping multiple ad networks.
- Flexibility: One dashboard managed it all—no chaos like standalone setups.
For app developers juggling apps stock or Revolut Business, mediation simplifies ad optimization while maximizing returns.
Challenges and Fixes
It wasn’t all smooth. Early on, my mediation setup crashed—too many SDKs slowed my app. I trimmed to three networks, fixing it. Another hiccup: AdMob’s payout lagged as earnings split across networks confused my Google AdSense sync. A quick support ticket sorted it.
Patience and testing are key—mediation rewards those who tweak.
AdMob Mediation vs. Solo AdMob
How does mediation stack against plain AdMob? My numbers tell the tale:
- Solo AdMob: $500/month, 70% fill rate, $3 CPM.
- With Mediation: $1,200/month, 95% fill rate, $7 CPM.
Multiple ad networks via mediation crushed solo performance, proving ad optimization trumps single-source reliance. Still, AdMob alone suits small apps—mediation shines as you scale.
Getting Started with AdMob Mediation
Ready to maximize ad revenue? Here’s your kickoff:
- Set Up: Enable mediation in AdMob, pick 2-3 networks (start with Unity Ads, ironSource).
- Integrate: Add SDKs via Android Studio download, test on TestFlight or live builds.
- Optimize: Monitor fill rates and CPMs, adjust waterfall monthly.
- Scale: Grow users or apps for exponential higher fill rate gains.
Whether it’s a hit like public app or a tool like Zoiper, mediation works.
Conclusion: Mediation Is Your Ad Revenue Superpower
AdMob mediation isn’t just a feature—it’s a strategy to dominate mobile monetization. By blending multiple ad networks, I achieved higher fill rates, nailed ad optimization, and grew my ad revenue from $500 to $1,200 in six months. In 2025, as apps like Tango Live and Google Tasks compete, mediation keeps AdMob ahead.
Don’t settle for solo AdMob. Embrace mediation, tweak your setup, and watch your ad revenue soar—your app deserves it!
