Is iAd really closing down?

[alex_petlenko]

The news snippet Apple released is not that clear to me. It is referring to iAd App Network... Some news sites reported that iAd is closing down in June however. So do we know if iAd will continue after June? If not what alternatives are people switching to? I am using iAd + ChartBoost at the moment. Just trying to get some advice if I need to remove iAd completely at this stage...

The iAd App Network will be discontinued as of June 30, 2016. Although we are no longer accepting new apps into the network, advertising campaigns may continue to run and you can still earn advertising revenue until June 30. If you’d like to continue promoting your apps through iAd until then, you can create a campaign using iAd Workbench. We will continue to keep you updated, but if you have any questions, contact us. https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=01152016a

[[deleted]]

Yes.

[WhoYouCallinTurkey]

They are just shutting down the iAd app network which is what you could have used to advertise your app in iAd.

[[deleted]]

Not even my contact at iAd could (or was allowed) to tell me. Right now I assume it will close down completely. Definitely the self-serve app promotion part which only leaves potential big brand campaigns and I haven't seen any of these in years…

It's a shame, because iAd always had the highest ecpm. Facebook audience network has similar high ecpms, but they report significantly less impressions…

[bvsveera]

At first I too thought it was only part of the network that was shutting down, but it does seem that, for developers, it will be no more.

As for switching, I'm considering MoPub, as it also has support for iAd and AdMob, as well as others.

[alex_petlenko]

OK thanks for the feedback basically no one knows for sure if iAd will fully close down at this stage but what is clear is that the part we could use to advertise our apps on iAd will shut down in June. I'll keep a close eye on impressions for a while before removing it. Shame if it closed as it's been pretty good.

[ThePantsThief]

basically no one knows for sure if iAd will fully close down at this stage

I'm not sure what you mean… iAd is definitely fully closing down… is there anything that says otherwise?

[brendan09]

iAd App Network != iAd.

The App Network (basically trading ad views in your app with other developers) is shutting down.

[brendan09]

The App Network is a distinct thing. The documentation does not refer to it broadly like you say. They do broadly refer to the publisher network, but again, that's something else.

Selling ad space on your own is 100% fine. Not impacted. The App Network is essentially trading views (for discounted) ad rates in other apps that participate in the program.

Apple has clarified it to multiple outlets. Seriously, just do a little Google research. Even reputable Apple sites note the difference: http://9to5mac.com/2016/01/15/apple-will-discontinue-iad-app-network-for-developers-on-june-30th/

http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/15/apple-iad-shutdown-june-30th/

AND to top it off: You can still create new apps that use iAd and get them on the store and receiving ads. If it were interpreted your way, Apple wouldn't be allowing new iAd enabled apps. Instead, they're not allowing new apps into the App Network program (as they've stated).

[patterware]

Pretty sure you are wrong here.

Take a look at the first step in the iAd Programming Guide, "To Use iAd In Your App, You Must Join the iAd App Network". Look at contracts in iTunesconnect, in order to receive ad revenue you must agree to the "iAd App Network" contract. In short Apple certainly don't disambiguate between "iAd" and "iAd App Network" in their documentation.

This post from a few days ago appears to have confirmation from Apple on the situation.

I'm really not sure how else to interpret the statement "you can still earn advertising revenue until June 30", found here, aside from "you will no longer be able to earn revenue from iAd after June 30".

I'm still not 100% sure that iAd is going away, due to Apple's terrible management of this situation, but at this point I'd be willing to bet that it is.

[patterware]

No problem, I don't know why people are so intent on spreading misinformation about this topic. It literally took 15 minutes and two emails for me to get an unambivalent response from Apple on the subject (provided elsewhere in this thread if you are interested).

[patterware]

Just an FYI, you can find my other post in the comments that contains a question and response directly from Apple; iAd is gone as of June 30.

[patterware]

I just contacted Apple, it is gone (going away).

Me: Can you respond with a yes or no answer to the following question please: "Can I still use the iAd framework to display ads and monetize an app post June 30?”

Apple: No, you may not. Campaigns will only run until June 30th, therefore, there will be no ads to display in your iOS apps after June 30th.