"Advertisers Pay 20-30% More for Users on iOS" — Understanding the Alternative to Android Apps

For newcomers or solo bearers, a question might arise: "Why complicate life with iOS apps when the ROI is the same, and acquiring them is more challenging?" Earnings in gambling are about traffic quality and advertiser relations. Public offers for Android traffic may come with stringent Facebook KPIs. Competing on terms with top teams is simply unattainable. However, if you enter with iOS traffic, negotiating the addition of Android streams on top terms after verification is no longer a problem.

We spoke with the folks at TrustAPPS about the alternatives available, what interesting things you can find in iOS, and how to test working with this system right now.

Changes in ASO and the Quest for Alternatives

Google is keen on improving app quality on Google Play. To achieve this, starting November 13, 2023, all new Console Developer accounts will face stricter requirements. For instance, what are these requirements?

To apply for production access, each app or new version must undergo a 14-day testing period, open or closed, with a minimum of 20 testers.
Testing can be done by anyone, not necessarily professionals; you can even involve relatives. But it must be done for 14 consecutive days.
Afterward, the test data must be provided to the store's moderation along with the app description and various questionnaires.

Overall, if you've been consistently working with Android apps, iOS is a logical scaling continuation: expanding the target audience, diversification in case of a Play Market storm, and new opportunities.

If you have a working combination on Android traffic, it's crucial to test it on iOS today.

Why New Rules Complicate the Work for Affiliate Marketers and Developers

We'll likely see developers moving to other platforms, specifically to the App Store, which, despite its intricacies, doesn't raise the entry bar as high. Even before the new moderation rules, Google moderators didn't provide feedback on apps that didn't pass, while the Apple Store team is willing to explain what's wrong with your app.

What else can we expect?

If developers leave Google Play, logically, there will be fewer apps on Android, and the cost of purchasing/renting the remaining ones will increase, even though banning them will be just as quick.
Dealing with situations and trends will become much more challenging, if possible at all. Essentially, for Android, only the niche of seasonal events will remain, apps for which can be collected and tested in advance.
Competition in the iOS app market will increase as new developers flood the niche.

To some extent, all of this should lead to lower prices for iOS development and improved app quality due to increased competition.

Android vs iOS — Comparing What's Better

We've presented a new alternative to what you're accustomed to. So, what are the advantages of iOS:

Traffic Quality: When you target iOS, you tap into a more financially capable audience. The device itself is pricier, making users more willing to spend money, potentially bringing in more deposits.
Higher Payouts: Advertisers pay 20-30% more for users acquired through iOS.
Free Auctions: Since the majority focuses on Android, advertising costs on iOS are lower, leading to potentially higher earnings.
Lifespan: Unlike Android apps, which quickly face bans, iOS apps can last from 1 to 6 months. This allows companies to optimize and gain much more over the long run.

How to Test and Start Working with iOS Right Now

So, assuming an alternative is found, what's next? How do you test iOS right now? Here's a step-by-step guide:

1-5(ABO)-1

In each ad set, use 1 creative, with a maximum of 5 creatives. The maximum budget for 1-5-1(5) — for tier-3, not exceeding $100. Since deposits don't display in Facebook when working with iOS, it doesn't matter if you launch for installs or purchases; you can only test or scale with one creative.

Optimization

Facebook statistics show installs immediately. Deposits may arrive a few days later. Open performance and click columns.

Check CPM and clicks, assuming a working combination. If CPM is high, try a different creative, offer, or app. However, there are no universal indicators; everything varies from GEO to GEO. For example, in Brazil, CPM should not exceed $5, and CPC should not be more than $1.

Launching the App

By default, iOS apps are commonly launched for installs, but a new trend is emerging – launching specifically for deposits. Conversion, when draining for deposits, is higher. If your iOS apps don't show deposits, ask the tech team on the app service side to open them for you. With TrustAPPS applications, working for deposits is possible right from the start.

App Design

The app's design has a significant impact, not its name. Each country has its favorites in terms of games/characters, which you can use to develop the app's design. Conversion to install for an app with good design is significantly higher. If a proven combination doesn't yield acceptable results, test another app.

Driving traffic and Pushes

Good ROI is impossible without pushes. Work on improving them and use them when draining for gambling. We recommend coming up with your pushes and approaches. Also, don't forget to use relevant pushes for major events in the target country.

Work on each stage of user conversion. Use pushes at each stage:

immediately after install,
before registration,
after the first deposit,
before the second deposit,
and different pushes every month afterward.

We have about 30-50 push variations at each stage.

App Marking

iOS has a clear advantage over Android here. Apps fly away less often, and markings are also caught less frequently. If an app is banned, it won't be in the store. Using bears, you can find out about the mark – there will be a warning in the Facebook interface.

How Many Apps to Test

Always test several apps; the more, the better. There's a higher chance of finding a good hook. Taking only one app, hoping for conversion, is not the best idea, no matter how cool the offer and creative are. For a quality test, start with several apps.

It's better to take 3-4 apps and launch them than to take one app and struggle with relaunching it for three days.

What Specialists Think About Such an Alternative

Since November 13, Google Play has introduced restrictions. What does this mean for affiliate marketing and the market in general?

It's still unclear; talks are only about the cost of the install increasing.

What to Do for Solo Players? Shift to Testing iOS or Still Have a Chance to Survive?

Certainly, shift to iOS.

Why iOS? What Are the Advantages of One Over the Other?

iOS traffic is more valued by advertisers and is redeemed at a higher rate. There are fewer bans.

Conclusion

As you can see, both Android and iOS have their pros and cons. However, we can confidently say that attracting traffic to iOS will be much more effective, conversion-friendly, and qualitative. Users on this platform eagerly await your attractive offers.

Yes, it may seem like the era of apps has passed, but in reality, it's an opportunity for scaling and expanding into iOS. For example, you can turn to the folks at TrustAPPS and rent an iOS app for the Gambling vertical.