Setting Up AdMob Ads

NOTE: The new AdMob interface is not yet available in all countries as of August 2013. If you're not able to access the new AdMob settings, or have yet to upgrade your existing account, please see the instructions in the article How to get an AdMob Publisher ID instead. Andromo supports Ad IDs created in AdMob's new, and legacy interfaces.

Signup for an AdMob Account

If you don't yet have an AdMob account, go to https://apps.admob.com and log in with your Google Account. If you don't have an existing Google Account, click "Sign Up". They recommend using your existing AdSense account if you have one. If the new interface isn't available in your country, you'll be redirected to http://www.admob.com instead. In that case, follow the instructions in the article How to get an AdMob Publisher ID instead.

Upgrading Your Existing AdMob Account

As of August 2013, AdMob has rolled out a new AdMob interface which may not be available in all countries. If you're eligible to upgrade, you'll see a notice while logged into your account stating "We have launched a new version of AdMob!" with an "Upgrade" button and "Learn more" link. You can read more about their changes and what you need to do, including a link to their Upgrade Guide in their updated Help Center. Andromo supports Ad IDs created in AdMob's new, and legacy interfaces.

Monetizing a New App

If you've yet to register your app on AdMob, follow the instructions below:

1. Log in to your AdMob account at https://apps.admob.com.

2. Click the "Monetize" tab located at the top of the page.

3. Click the "+ Monetize new app" button.

4. Select the app you want to monitize using one of the listed methods. For new apps, you'll normally choose "Add your app manually":

• Search for your app - Search Google Play for your app, then click it's "+ Monetize" button located on the right.
• Add your app manually - If your app is not published yet, enter the app name, select "Android" as the platform, then click "Continue". Note: They recommend linking your app to Google Play once it's published and availble. You'll find a "Link your app" link next to your app's listing on AdMob's Home tab.
• Select from apps you have added - Select the app from the list of apps you've already added by clicking the "+ Monetize" button next to it.

5. Select "Banner" or "Interstitial" as the ad format based upon which type of ad your want to include. Each ad format requires a unique Ad Unit ID, so you'll need to create another ad unit afterwards if you want both banners and interstitials.

6. Banners: Leave the "Automatic refresh" setting as the default value of 60, and the "Text ad style" as "Standard" (you can experiment later if you wish).

7. Enter a value for the "Ad unit name" such as "MyApp Banner" (where MyApp is your app's name for example). They recommend a unique name and description in order to find it easier later.

8. Click the "Save" button.

9. You should now see your app's "Ad unit ID" in a format such as "ca-app-pub-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/XXXXXXXXXX" where "X" represents integers. Copy and paste that value into the corresponding "AdMob Ad Unit ID" field in your Andromo project. Since each ad format behaves differently, ensure you enter your Ad Unit ID into the correct section based upon it's ad format (Banner or Interstitial) as they are not interchangeable. You can also optionally email that info to yourself if you wish. Andromo takes care of all of the AdMob SDK integration, so all you need is the ID described above.

10. Click Done.

Note: You can find this value later by going to the "Monetize" tab, selecting "All apps" on the left, and selecting your app. The Ad unit ID will be listed under the Ad Unit Name you've defined.

Getting an Existing App's Ad Unit ID

If you've upgraded your AdMob account to the new interface, and imported your legacy AdMob data, you'll notice some changes to the terminology and identifiers that are used now. In the legacy AdMob interface, the previously used "Publisher ID" has now been replaced with what's called an "Ad unit ID", which is the new unique identifier for an ad unit. This is value you'll want to use in Andromo. While the Publisher ID value still exists in AdMob, it now serves a different purpose.

Andromo supports both formats of these ID values, however any new apps you create in the new AdMob interface will only generate the "Ad unit ID". Any apps that have been imported from your old AdMob account will contain both the new "Ad unit ID" and "Legacy Publisher ID" values. You can find these values by selecting the "Monetize" tab, clicking "All apps" along the left, and selecting the app whose ID you want. There you will find both IDs listed under the app name in the "Ad unit" column.

While updating your AdMob ID for legacy apps isn't required, Google does recommend it. For complete details on AdMob's upgrade, please refer to AdMob's Upgrade Guide.

Getting an Interstitial Ad Unit ID

Getting an interstitial Ad Unit ID is basically the same procedure as getting an AdMob Ad Unit ID for banner ads. Click on the Monetize Tab then select "All Apps" from the list in the upper left-hand corner. From there select the app that you want to add the interstitial to, and click the "New ad unit" button.

Next, select "Interstitial", give your ad unit a name and select save. After that you should be able to copy your Ad Unit ID into your Andromo project's "AdMob Ad Unit ID" field under "AdMob Interstitials".

Setting your Device as a Test Device

Andromo allows you to define one or more devices as 'test devices' so that you will only be shown test ads on your device. You're encouraged to do this to prevent false impressions/clicks. You can get your device ID by installing Andromo's Device ID Utility App on your device(s), copying each ID and entering them in the "AdMob Test Device IDs" field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to upgrade my AdMob account?
Answer: No, Andromo still supports the legacy "Publisher ID" value generated in the old interface, however Google does recommend it. If you want to use interstitials you will need to upgrade your account.

Do you support AdMob mediation for other ad networks?
Answer: No, Andromo currently does not support AdMob mediation for additional ad networks.

Do I need to update my apps that use the legacy Publisher ID?
Answer: After you import your legacy AdMob data into AdMob's new interface, it does a one-time mapping of those legacy IDs to a new Ad unit ID. While it isn't required to update the IDs of your apps in Andromo, Google does recommend using the new values.

Does my app need to be in Google Play to get the Ad Unit ID?
Answer: No, one of the options when monetizing a new app is labeled as "Add your app manually". This option is provided to get the ID for apps that are not yet in Google Play. You can link your app later once you publish it.

Can I use more than one "Ad Unit ID" in my app?
Answer: Andromo supports one unique Ad Unit ID for banner ads, and one unique Ad Unit ID for interstitials within your app.