Frequently asked questions#

The following sections detail some frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Unity Ads users.

Integration FAQs#

What platforms does Unity Ads support?#

Unity Ads is an ad network for iOS (iTunes) and Android (Google Play).

Unity Ads does not currently support the following:

• Web platforms such as WebPlayer or WebGL.
• Windows Phone.
• Amazon App Store, Amazon Marketplace for downloadable Android games. Note that you can implement Unity Ads in Android games downloaded through Amazon, but all of our campaigns currently advertise apps for the Google Play store. Therefore, ad impressions will not generate revenue unless the user also has access to the Google Play store.

Unity is always exploring the option of adding new platforms and features.

Which version of Unity should I be using?#

Unity Ads supports all licensed versions of Unity 4.6 and later. We recommend that you always use the latest release version of Unity. If you are using Unity 2018.1 or later, it is strongly recommended that you use the Package Manager to install the Advertisements package. The version of the package available will depend on your version of Unity:

• The latest version of the package is available for Unity 5.6.6 and later.
• Version 3.0 is supported on Unity 5.0.1 - 5.6.0.
• Version 2.3 will be supported on Unity 4.6 - 5.0.

You will only need to install one version of the Unity Ads package. Adding the package multiple times will cause compiler or build errors.

Why am I not able to see any ads in game?#

If you do not see any ads in your live game, or if they were showing at one point but no longer are, you might be using the wrong Game ID, or you might have run out of available campaigns in your region.

Try the following to solve your problem:

• Ensure that your project initializes the Unity Ads SDK (Unity | iOS | Android).
• Ensure that you're using the correct Game ID. Note that these are platform-dependent; double-check that you're not using an iOS ID for an Android build or vice versa.
• Wait for Unity Ads to be ready before attempting to show ads. It usually takes a few seconds to cache the ad. You can call the IsReady method to check if Unity Ads is ready to show ads.
• Ensure that your device is connected to the internet.

Note that Unity cannot guarantee the availability of ads. This is why the SDK provides methods to first check if ads are ready to display.

For most of Europe and North America, ad availability is typically not an issue. In countries where fill might be somewhat limited, the effects of this can be more obvious. For instance, if there are only 12 ad campaigns available in a user's country, they can only see a maximum of 12 ad campaigns in a given period of time.

During development, Unity recommends that you enable test mode to ensure you always have test ads available.

Can I test live ads in my game before it is available to the public?#

Distributing live ads to beta testers is against the Unity Terms of Service. Clicking an ad or installing an advertised product from a device is a monetized transaction. Doing so from a game that is not yet live will trigger the automated fraud system, flag the game for fraud, and disable it. Therefore, we encourage leaving test mode enabled until the game is ready to launch.

Why do I get a "Advertisements does not exist in the namespace UnityEngine" compiler error?#

This error is typically caused by one of two issues:

• You are building for a platform that Unity Ads does not support.
• You have not imported the Unity Ads package into your project yet.

Try the following to resolve the problem:

• Ensure that you have installed Unity Ads, either by using the Package Manage or the Asset Store package (but not both).
• Ensure that you've selected iOS or Android as a build target (File > Build Settings...).
• If you're building your project for an unsupported platform, you can add a UNITY_ADS conditional define that allows you to build with Unity Ads without affecting other platforms.

For more information, refer to platform dependent compilation.

Can I use Ad Units to promote my other games?#

Yes. For more information, refer to Cross promotion.

Can Unity Ads be implemented through mediation?#

Yes. For more information, refer to implementing Unity Ads in a third-party mediation stack.

Ad settings FAQs#

Where can I choose whether ads can be skipped?#

Ad Unit settings, including whether an ad can be skipped, are located on the Unity Ads Monetization dashboard, by selecting Ad Units from the secondary navigation menu, then selecting an Ad Unit to view its settings.

For more information, refer to Ad Units. Unity also recommends reviewing the monetization strategy guide for information on how to use Ad Units effectively.

Is it possible to block certain types of ads from my game?#

Yes. For more information, refer to Ad Controls.

Stats FAQs#

Where do I find my Unity Ads statistics API key?#

Refer to the documentation on the Monetization Statistics API.

Is it possible to automatically generate stat reports?#

Yes. For more information, refer to the documentation on automating reports.

Revenue and payment FAQs#

How does the payment process work?#

Publishers receive automated payouts for their Unity Ads earnings every month. For more information, including how to set up a payout profile, refer to the receiving payment documentation.

Do I need to pay taxes on payments as an individual?#

Unity can process payment to you as an individual, rather than as a company. To register as a private individual, simply enter your legal name in lieu of a company name. For more information, refer to the requesting payment as an individual documentation.

Do I need to provide a VAT number?#

The European Union (EU) requires members to have a value-added tax (VAT) number. The local legislation in each country specifies when you need to apply for a VAT number. If you do not have one, state ”No VAT” or “None” in the corresponding invoice field.

When can I expect to be paid?#

Unity processes payments at the end of each month on a net 60 cadence, which means that your outstanding balance is paid in full and received within 60 days of each payment period, so long as your earnings met or exceeded the minimum payout amount.

Why am I not seeing any revenue, even with 100 impressions?#

If your revenue displays as $0.00, you might need to be patient. Each time a video is started, it creates an impression. However, it can take around 5000 impressions for targeting algorithms to determine the quality of users provided and start showing consistent revenue.

Data privacy and policy FAQs#

What are the requirements for participating in the Google Designed for Families program or the Apple Kids Category?#

You must configure your game-level age designation setting to This app is directed to children, and your age limit filters to Do not show ads rated 13+ or stricter.

Note: Mixed audience games can also be eligible for app store compliance programs. For more information, refer to user-level age settings.

What is Authorized Sellers for Apps?#

Authorized Sellers for Apps (app-ads.txt) is an IAB initiative to combat fraud and create transparency in the advertising ecosystem. While implementing app-ads.txt is not mandatory, failing to do so will cause developers to lose significant revenue. For more information, refer to app-ads.txt support.

How do I appeal if my organization is blocked for a violation of Unity’s Terms of Service?#

If your Organization exhibits behavior that appears to violate Unity’s Terms of Service, its account will be banned and Monetization dashboard access revoked.

If you believe this is a mistake, you can submit an appeal form from the Monetization dashboard. Some common examples of behavior that might lead to suspension include:

• Abnormal and continuous ad engagement patterns being detected from specific subset of users
• Testing with live ads and triggering clicks and installs
• Promoting incentivized clicks to end-users
• Promoting real world rewards such as cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies
• Copyright infringement