From $5K to $15K Monthly Ad Revenue
Color Pop was struggling with low eCPMs and poor mediation. Our customized waterfall strategy and rewarded video optimization delivered dramatic results.
The Challenge
Color Pop, a simple but addictive puzzle game with over 5 million downloads, was facing significant monetization challenges:
- Low eCPMs ($3.50 average) due to poor ad network selection
- Inefficient ad mediation setup with only 3 networks
- Over-reliance on a single ad network (AdMob)
- Rewarded video completion rates below industry average (62%)
- High user drop-off from poorly timed interstitial ads
The developer was generating just $5,000/month from ads despite healthy download numbers and active users.
Our Solution
We implemented a comprehensive monetization overhaul focused on four key areas:
1. Waterfall Optimization
Built a dynamic waterfall with 8 carefully selected networks prioritized by performance, geography, and user behavior.
2. Rewarded Video Upgrade
Redesigned placement timing and introduced "Double Rewards" incentives, boosting completion to 89%.
3. Smart Interstitials
Shifted from random ads to level-completion triggers, reducing accidental clicks by 40%.
4. Mediation Tuning
Implemented real-time bidding and dynamic floor pricing, reducing latency by 35%.
Ad Network Strategy
We conducted extensive A/B testing across 12 networks to build the optimal stack:
IronSource
AppLovin MAX
Unity Ads
AdMob
Plus Fyber, Vungle, Tapjoy, and Meta Audience Network for diversified demand. The combination increased competition and boosted fill rates to 98%.
The Results
Within 3 months of implementation, Color Pop saw dramatic improvements:
- 217% revenue increase - from $5,000 to $15,800/month
- 4.8x more ad impressions without increasing ad load
- eCPM boosted from $3.50 to $9.80 through better network competition
- 22% improvement in Day 7 retention (fewer intrusive ads)
- Rewarded video completion up from 62% to 89%