Ad Monetization Trends Report

Just Arrived! Liftoff’s Non-Gaming Ad Monetization Trends Report

By Ruoji Tang | January 8, 2025

2024 was a standout year for non-gaming app publishers. In fact, Sensor Tower data projects that non-gaming apps will outpace mobile game revenue share by 2026.

While increased consumer spending has monopolized the headlines, the widespread adoption of in-app advertising (IAA) plays a crucial role in driving steady revenue growth. As time spent in apps rises, more app publishers are prioritizing ad monetization as a revenue stream and seeing encouraging results.

Liftoff’s new report provides a snapshot of the growth of non-gaming ad monetization from our point of view. We believe we are at an exciting inflection point for app publishers. More time and resources devoted to developing a robust ad monetization strategy means new pathways to success, opportunities in emerging markets, and new levers for better results.

To kick off 2025, we spotlight seven key trends across different markets and publisher categories that are powering ad revenue growth for non-gaming publishers now. Along the way, we highlight new ad placement types, strategies for tackling new markets, and best practices for balancing ad revenue goals with in-app engagement and user retention.

For a detailed look, read the report.

Report highlights include:

  • Ad revenue growth trends for entertainment, utilities, and music publisher categories
  • Ad revenue and eCPM growth in emerging markets 
  • eCPM breakdowns of new ad formats
  • Expert insights on maximizing ad revenue and driving user engagement, without impacting retention