Question: is it ok to use app-open ads for loading phases?

[Liran Barsisa]

I use multiple fallbacks for showing ads while the app loads something that might take some time like how Waterfall works: rewarded, rewarded-interstitial, and  interstitial.

Is it ok to also add the app-open ad for this list?

It says that such ads " are a specialized format for monetizing your app's loading screens. They appear when a user opens the app or switches back to it. App open ads are designed for a seamless user experience during app load times.":

"Show app open ads during times when your users would otherwise be waiting for your app to load.
"

https://support.google.com/admob/answer/9341964

https://developers.google.com/admob/android/app-open

So while it's not in the initial stage of starting the app or returning to it, it's still some loading phase, so I wonder if my use case is ok.

I don't understand if the scenario I've explained is included in the "Discouraged implementation example", which for some reason says that while they are not according to the guidelines and also not against the policies, it might mean Admob stop serving all kinds of ads because of it (which doesn't make sense because that's what policies and rules are for)...

Sadly it's still impossible to ask Admob team anything, as choosing so results in an error when choosing "email", and in other cases it just goes to a forum ("community"):
https://support.google.com/admob/gethelp

So I had to write about this here. 

Also asked here:

https://support.google.com/admob/thread/318937065

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi,

The preferred way to use app open ads on cold starts is to use a loading screen to load your game or app assets, and to only show the ad from the loading screen. If your app has completed loading and has sent the user to the main content of your app, don't show the ad. Kindly refer to Cold starts and loading screens and Best practices for better user experience.
 

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGwHM:ref" (ADR-00284718)

Thanks,
 

Mobile Ads SDK Team

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[Liran Barsisa]

You didn't answer the question if it's ok in the scenario I've explained.

It's not the initial loading screen, but a phase in the app that takes some time to perform.

Is it ok in this scenario, or not?
Examples of such scenarios:

1. If it's a game, it's a loading screen of the game. 

2. If it's a video editing/conversion app, it's the process of exporting the video. 

3. If it's a contacts-related app, it's some large operation on the contacts (merging, syncing, maybe something with cloud...)

4. If it's a backup app, it's the backup operation.

etc...