Get started with Unity Ads in-app bidding in AppLovin MAX#

To get started using Unity in-app bidding with AppLovin MAX mediation, complete the following steps to connect the AppLovin MAX Dashboard and the Unity Ads Monetization dashboard:

1. Create new ad units in the Monetization dashboard.
2. Set up bidding placements for your app in the Monetization dashboard.
3. Create ad units in the AppLovin MAX Dashboard.
4. Map bidding placements from the Monetization dashboard to the AppLovin MAX Dashboard.

Prerequisites#

To use AppLovin MAX as a bidding partner with Unity Ads, ensure you’ve completed the following prerequisites to get started:

1. Install the latest version of the Unity Ads SDK.
2. Install the MAX Mediation SDK with the Unity Ads adapter.
3. Set AppLovin MAX as the Mediation Partner for your project in the Monetization dashboard.

Minimum compatible SDK and adapter versions#

The recommended best practice is to use the latest Unity Ads SDK for all publishers to ensure optimal performance.

The minimum compatible SDK and adapter versions required to use in-app bidding with MAX for all platform developers are the following:

• Unity Ads SDK version: 4.9.2+
• MAX Unity Ads adapter: 4.9.2.1+
  • If using Interstitial and Rewarded ads: 4.6.0.0+
  • If using Banner and MREC ads: 4.9.2.1+

Install the Unity Ads SDK#

To implement AppLovin MAX mediation, you first need to install and initialize the latest version of the Unity Ads SDK, and set up the code base for your app.

For more information on installing, initializing, and implementing different ad types using the Unity Ads SDK for a specific developer platform, refer to the Unity Ads integration guides for Android developers, iOS developers, and Unity developers.

Install the MAX Mediation SDK with the Unity Ads adapter#

To use MAX as a mediator for in-app bidding with the Unity Ads network, you’ll need to download the MAX mediation SDK and integrate the Unity Ads adapter into your app. The method to do so depends on which developer platform you use for your app, and the level of customization and control you want over the integration process.

For more information, refer to the AppLovin preparing mediated networks development guides for Android, iOS, or Unity.

Set AppLovin MAX as your mediation partner in the Monetization dashboard#

To enable MAX mediation in the Monetization dashboard for your project, set AppLovin MAX as your mediation partner by doing the following in the Monetization dashboard:

For current projects:

1. Go to your project, then Settings.
2. Edit the Mediation Partner section and select AppLovin MAX as your mediation partner.
3. Click Save.

For new projects:

1. Create a new project, then enter the required information to complete the setup and access the Monetization dashboard.
2. Click Enable Ads from the navigation menu.
3. Select I plan to use mediation as your mediation solution, then AppLovin MAX as your mediation partner.
4. Click Next and complete the configurations for your project information, placement set up, and Store ID, then click Add Project.

Create new ad units in the Monetization dashboard#

The first step to use in-app bidding with MAX mediation in the Unity Ads SDK requires you to create new ad units in the Monetization dashboard, which you will use to create your mapped bidding placements.

Follow these steps to create new ad units in the Monetization dashboard:

1. Go to the project for which you want to set up bidding with MAX mediation.

2. Go to Settings from the navigation menu, then to the Mediation partner section.

3. Edit Mediation Partner; select AppLovin MAX as your mediator; then Save.

4. Go to Ad Units from the navigation menu and select Add Ad Unit.

5. Enter the ad unit name; select the platform and ad format to create the ad unit. Select Create to display the new ad unit in the list of ad units.

   You can only create one bidding placement for each ad format within an ad unit.

Set up bidding placements in the Monetization dashboard#

After you’ve created new ad units, you can set up bidding placements in the Monetization dashboard. You'll map these new placements in the AppLovin MAX Dashboard.

To set up in-app bidding successfully, you need to create new bidding placements. You can't repurpose waterfall placements for in-app bidding because you need to generate a bidding Placement ID from the Monetization dashboard. You'll enter this ID in the AppLovin MAX dashboard's bidding placement field to ensure a successful connection.

To set up new bidding placements with your new ad units, do the following in the Monetization dashboard:

1. Go to Placements and find the new ad unit you just created. Select Add Placement to create a placement for this ad unit.

2. Select Bidding as the placement type.

3. Enter a placement name and select Add Placement to create the placement.

   Note: The Placement ID is generated based on what you originally named your placement. While you can rename your placement after creating it, you can’t rename a Placement ID, so choose your placement name carefully at the time of creation.

4. From the Placements Management page, locate the new bidding placement you just created, and copy the associated Placement ID. You will need this ID for the following setup steps.

   Important: The Unity bidding Placement ID is required to map to the AppLovin bidding placement in the MAX dashboard.

   

Create new ad units in the AppLovin MAX dashboard#

The next step to use in-app bidding with MAX mediation in Unity Ads requires you to set up new ad units that you’ll then map to your bidding placement in the Monetization dashboard.

For instructions on how to create new ad units in the AppLovin MAX Dashboard, refer to the Create an Ad Unit article in the AppLovin documentation.

Map bidding placements from the Monetization dashboard to the AppLovin MAX Dashboard#

The last step to get started using Unity Ads in-app bidding with AppLovin is to map your bidding placements between the MAX Dashboard and the Monetization dashboard. You will need your bidding Placement ID from the Monetization dashboard to complete this final step.

For instructions on how to map bidding placements from the Monetization dashboard to the MAX dashboard, refer to the Unity Ads Integration Guide in the AppLovin documentation.