If you’re in the world of app or gaming advertising, you know that success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some want big bursts of app installs, while others are more interested in driving high-value in-app purchases or maximizing return on ad spend (ROAS). Today Meta shared some fascinating insights about how it is leveling up its AI optimization specifically to help advertisers nail exactly what success means for them.
Why value-driven optimization matters more than ever
One of the standout takeaways is the shift from simply optimizing for conversion volume to focusing on the value of conversions. Imagine a game advertiser choosing between 15 purchases at $1.99 each vs. 10 purchases at $9.99 each. Which one sounds better? For many, it’s obvious – quality over quantity. Meta‘s improved AI models that optimize for conversion value are driving an impressive 29% higher ROAS compared to volume-based campaigns.
Industry insiders from companies like FunPlus and CrazyLabs have seen solid improvements by adopting value optimization. For example, FunPlus reports a consistent performance uplift, with value optimization campaigns now exceeding volume-focused ones by over 20% in efficiency. CrazyLabs highlights that stability and scalability became game changers for their user acquisition strategies after switching to value optimization, especially on iOS titles that lean heavily into in-app purchases.
It’s clear that the data-backed confidence in value optimization is making advertisers put more of their budgets behind it. Banditos Studio shared that around 85% of their recent user acquisition spend on Meta went to value optimization campaigns for their RPG, “Heroes & Dragons” – and they plan to keep scaling because the results keep delivering.
Aligning AI with Mobile Measurement Partners for better targeting
Another layer of sophistication lies in how Meta’s AI now works more closely with third-party Mobile Measurement Partners (MMPs) like Adjust, AppsFlyer, and Kochava. Since many advertisers use these platforms to accurately measure campaign effectiveness across channels, syncing AI optimization with MMP reporting has become crucial.
Value optimization campaigns are leading the way, delivering up to 29% higher ROAS compared to traditional volume-based campaigns.
This collaboration means Meta’s AI better understands unique advertiser definitions, like when a user counts as “new” or how long someone needs to be inactive to qualify for reengagement targeting. For example, with AppsFlyer, Meta can flexibly adjust reattribution windows up to 180 days, while for Adjust and Singular users, a 180-day exclusion window ensures no overlap with existing users.
More Read
These nuanced alignments have a clear impact – a 20% reduction in incorrectly categorized new users after extending exclusion windows from 90 to 180 days means ads are reaching the right people more precisely. It’s a solid example of how syncing AI systems with advertiser measurement tools leads to more meaningful and efficient conversions.
What this means for app advertisers going forward
Meta’s ongoing AI enhancements underscore a bigger trend: that smarter, more customizable AI optimization can directly translate to better business outcomes. By giving advertisers the ability to clearly define what matters most – be it revenue per user or the exact type of engaged customer – and by aligning with trusted measurement tools, the advertising ecosystem feels a lot more intelligent and tuned-in.
- Value-focused optimization is proving to be the key driver of higher ROAS among app advertisers.
- Collaborations with MMPs help tailor AI targeting to each advertiser’s unique success metrics or user definitions.
- Extended attribution windows reduce wasted spend on audiences that don’t fit an advertiser’s criteria, improving campaign precision.
For anyone working in app or gaming advertising, these insights offer a good nudge to rethink how you’re setting goals for your campaigns and which tools you’re leaning on for reporting and attribution. With AI becoming more nuanced and partnership-driven, the days of generic ad spend might be behind us – instead, it’s about truly smart spending that moves the needle.
In short, smarter AI optimization backed by close collaboration with measurement partners is changing how app advertisers drive performance and it’s exciting to watch. I look forward to seeing how these improvements continue to evolve and empower advertisers to achieve their unique visions of success.
