Ah, 2026—flying cars are still nowhere to be found, but mobile games? Thriving! Whether your game’s about saving kittens from meteors or a candy-matching saga your grandma can’t put down, monetizing it right is the difference between sipping lattes or instant coffee this year. Picking the right ad networks and mediation strategy is like choosing your New Year’s resolution: if you get it wrong, you’re going to regret it for the next 12 months. Let’s dive into how to start 2026 strong and maximize those sweet ad revenues.

The Big Players: AdMob, Unity LevelPlay, and AppLovin MAX

When it comes to ad mediation platforms, three giants dominate the space: AdMob, Unity LevelPlay, and AppLovin MAX. Each has its quirks, like that one overly enthusiastic friend in your group chat. Here’s a quick rundown to help you choose your new BFF in monetization:

AdMob:

The Google overlord of ad mediation. AdMob brings access to an enormous ad inventory, making it perfect for apps across many categories. But beware of their strict rules. Get flagged once, and you might feel like you’re trying to get back into a club with a fake ID.

• Best: 
  • Google’s vast ad inventory
  • Firebase integration, giving great user insights
  • A human customer service team that is easy to contact
• Worst: 
  • Strict rules which makes it easier for bans
  • Low eCPMs due to their ad flow being very user friendly (I cannot tell you how much I hate myself for putting a network that has user friendly ads as a bad point)
  • Limited ad review controls vs competitors

Unity LevelPlay:

Perfect for Unity developers, LevelPlay is the no-brainer choice for gaming apps. It’s like the friend who knows exactly what you need—until you realize they mostly hang out with other Unity users.

• Best: 
  • Easy Unity integration
  • Strong mediation tools
  • Ad Quality feature lets you see the ads coming through your app for full transparency
• Worst: 
  • New partner setup feels more painful than it needs to be 
  • No human support
  • UI is sometimes like finding a needle in a haystack, where you’re clicking every option to get to where you need to be

AppLovin MAX:

A powerhouse mediation tool designed for gaming apps, MAX promises to “maximize” your ad revenue. While it’s great for optimization, sometimes it feels like they’re playing favorites with their own network (surprise, surprise).

• Best: 
  • Built specifically for mobile gaming
  • fantastic eCPMs,
  • Quick growing network of demand
• Worst: 
  • Steep learning curve 
  • Gaming-heavy bias 

Plugging in the Right Networks

Now that you’ve chosen your mediation platform, it’s time to plug in the right ad networks. Think of this like curating your Spotify playlist: you need the right mix to hit all the highs. Here are seven networks that play nicely with all three platforms—and a quick take on what makes them shine (or flop).

1. Meta Audience Network

Meta brings the party with its ad targeting capabilities. It’s like the DJ who reads the room perfectly—but only if you’re in tier-1 markets.

• Best: 
  • High eCPMs
  • Full range of ad formats
• Worst: 
  • Limited non-gaming inventory
  • Can be a pain to create an account

2. AdColony

AdColony specializes in premium video ads, delivering buttery-smooth experiences for users. But if your game isn’t in a top-tier market, you might hear crickets.

• Best: 
  • Top-tier video quality
  • High fill rates
• Worst: 
  • Poor performance in tier-2/3 markets
  • No non-video offerings

3. Unity Ads/Ironsource

With the Unity ads / Ironsource is like the golden retriever of ad networks for gaming apps: loyal, reliable, and built for Unity. But don’t expect much if your game isn’t, well, a game.

• Best: 
  • Exceptional for gaming apps 
  • Huge worldwide demand
• Worst: 
  • Poor performance in non-gaming niches
  • Smaller advertiser pool

4. Pangle

Welcome to the TikTok-powered ad network that’s taking the APAC region by storm! Pangle is the life of the party—if the party is in Asia. Anywhere else? Meh.

• Best: 
  • Amazing eCPMs in APAC
  • Bidding enabled on all mediation suites
• Worst: 
  • No T1 traffic
  • Non-video options

5. Mintegral

Mintegral is your go-to for conquering Asian markets, especially China. But like your favorite ramen spot, it might not satisfy every appetite.

• Best: 
  • Dominant in Asia
  • Great rewarded video options
• Worst: 
  • Transparency issues
  • Weaker appeal outside of its stronghold regions

So… How Do You Choose?

Let’s be real: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Choosing the right mix depends on your game type, audience, and market. Here’s a roadmap to guide you:

1. A/B Test Everything: Try different ad placements and networks to see what maximizes revenue without annoying players.
2. Keep the Balance: Ads are great, but don’t turn your game into an “ad simulator.” Players will leave faster than you can say “unskippable video.”
3. Stay Updated: Ad networks evolve, policies change, and trends shift—what worked last year might flop this year.

Start Earning in 2026

Monetizing your mobile game isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not a “set it and forget it” deal. Choosing the right mediation platform and ad networks is like building a balanced breakfast—each component needs to work together for the best results. With AdMob, Unity LevelPlay, or AppLovin MAX, and the right networks plugged in, your game can start the year off with a bang—and maybe even buy you that fancy coffee.

So go forth, brave developer, and may your eCPMs be ever in your favor!