How to add the "Ad" Label to Native Ads Correctly

[Yavuz Selim Yıldırım]

Hello, I wish everyone a good day :)

While setting up native ads, I can't find the "Ad" label to add it to the UI. It's mentioned that adding this is mandatory, but there's no instruction on what type of gameobject it should be. To better understand, I've read the following articles:

Native Ads Playbook page: https://admob.google.com/home/resources/native-ads-playbook/ 

Native Ads Get Started page: https://developers.google.com/admob/unity/native?hl=en

I've also watched a few YouTube tutorials related to this topic. In only one of them, they locate and add the "Ad" label from within the files, but even though I've set up Google Native Ads, I can't find such a prefab.

From one of Google's article pages, I downloaded an SVG file with the text "Ad" (I don't remember which page exactly, there are many pages :)), but since it's a an SVG, I can't use it in Unity. When I converted it to a PNG file, the resolution was very small and it's not customizable.

My questions are,

1. Is it sufficient to design the "Ad" label as a gameobject containing text that blends with the background and place it appropriately?
2. Is there a registration process required for this? There is a registration process for the Ad Choices logo (and other elements), but I couldn't find one for the "Ad" label, similar to this code: "nativeAd.RegisterAdChoicesLogoGameObject(AdChoicesLogo.gameObject);"

I'm trying to be meticulous to avoid any policy violations. Thank you in advance.

Note: If I need to emphasize what I mean by the 'Ad' label

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Yavuz,

Thank you for reaching out to us.

With regard to your concern, it is indeed required to add an ad badge to your native ad to clearly indicate that ads are ads as stated on the policies. The label that you were referring to is under Ad Attribution which must be added manually. Changes to the default styling of Ad Attribution will need to adhere to the following (specific to ad badge):

• Ads must display one of the following attributions:
  • "Ad" or "Advertisement"
  • A badge that says "Ad" (minimum 15px height/width)

More information and references can be found here:

• Native ads fields description - https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6240809?hl=en
• Native ads policies - https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6329638 

This message is in relation to case "ref:_00D1U1174p._5004Q2ntbaj:ref"

Thanks,
 

Mobile Ads SDK Team

 

[Yavuz Selim Yıldırım]

I appreciate for your answer, everything is clear now :).

Have a great day, thank you!

18 Ağustos 2023 Cuma tarihinde saat 12:37:47 UTC+3 itibarıyla Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor şunları yazdı:

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Thank you for your response. We're glad to know that everything is clear now in your end. If you have any other concerns for the Mobile ads SDK, kindly let us know so we can assist you further. 

[Liran Barsisa]

What about the position of the "Ad" ?
In the policy , it says to put it at the top:
"Ad attribution must be displayed at the top of the ad"
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6329638#ad-attribution:~:text=Ad%20attribution%20must%20be%20displayed%20at%20the%20top%20of%20the%20ad.

However, on various screenshots, I can see it in other places, examples:
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6239795?hl=en#:~:text=app%20install%20ad%3A-,Content%20ads,-Content%20ads%20allow

https://admob.google.com/home/resources/native-ads-playbook/

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Liran,

Thank you for contacting the Mobile Ads SDK Support team.

Please note that Ad attribution must be displayed at the top of the ad. You must clearly display the text "Ad", "Advertisement", or "Sponsored" (localized appropriately). The badge is required to be a minimum of 15px height and width. The content ads document serves solely as an example of an advertisement image. Additionally, you can also check sample  projects for reference.  

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02ntbaj:ref" (ADR-00194189)

Thanks,
 

Mobile Ads SDK Team

[Liran Barsisa]

If it's supposed to be at the top, why not have it there on all screenshots as I've provided? 

Also why are you talking in px units when you know that on Android it's dp units?

As for the samples, the samples of the templates that we can use actually have the "Ad" not at the top:
https://developers.google.com/admob/android/native/templates

Try them out:
https://github.com/googleads/googleads-mobile-android-native-templates

I tried to report about this and others here:
https://github.com/googleads/googleads-mobile-android-native-templates/issues/49

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Liran,

Yes, it is supposed to be at the top if the native ad type is App install ads. The screenshot differs because it's a Content ad. Please note that there are two types of native ads available to you: app install ads and content ads. Yes, it is dp (Android), and px (iOS).

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have additional questions.  

[Liran Barsisa]

1. There doesn't seem to be any indication of the type of native ad in the class of the native ad:
https://developers.google.com/android/reference/com/google/android/gms/ads/nativead/NativeAd

Where do you see such an API? Where is it used anywhere in the samples and docs?

2. The website that talks about "Ad" doesn't mention it should be at the top only for one type , and which one:
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6329638#ad-attribution&zippy=%2Csee-examples-of-each-standard-native-ad-format

3. Both of the template websites doesn't mention "content ad" and doesn't mention "app install ad". It just says native ads. Check it out:
https://github.com/googleads/googleads-mobile-android-native-templates

https://developers.google.com/admob/android/native/templates

The only "type" mentioned there is for the size of the template.

4. The website that mentions the 2 types of ads don't explain how to differentiate between them in code, and the table also doesn't have any rule that helps with it either, as all specs can be used on both, or said to be optional on one, but no mention about the other:
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6329638#ad-attribution&zippy=:~:text=time%2C%20if%20desired.-,Required%20and%20recommended%20fields,-Field

5. If it's true that we should differentiate in the templates, there should be more than 2 templates that aren't fitting to have the rule of having the "Ad" at the top. The templates should match what the various screenshots show.

Please show me one sample/tutorial that mentions we should differentiate, and shows how it's done.
So far the sample code shows only one type, of when it's at the top, and the templates show the opposite.

And, the docs don't mention this at all.
So much mess and not a single place to figure out what's going on.

6. You say that install-ads should have the "Ad" at the top ("it is supposed to be at the top if the native ad type is App install ads"), but the templates show install-ads that it's not at the top:
https://developers.google.com/admob/android/native/templates#small_template

https://developers.google.com/admob/android/native/templates#medium_template

So you are contradicting what you said, and as I wrote above, this information doesn't exist anywhere. 

7. To show you that it's a mess, you can see how developers do it, here's an example of a post on reddit that someone gave, to show how he did it:
https://www.reddit.com/r/admob/comments/1food7r/nativead_optimization/

[Liran Barsisa]

Here's another example that install-ads actually have the "Ad" not being at the top, right on the video about native ads:
https://youtu.be/7HXZFGbDoJo?t=43

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Liran,

Thank you for getting back to us.

I will raise a request to add this feature. I cannot provide a scheduled timeline for the availability of this feature. I would recommend you to please follow our release notes for further updates.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Liran,

Please review the following responses to your inquiries.

1. All ads require ad attribution (some text that says "Ad" or "Sponsored" per https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6329638#ad-attribution&zippy=:~:text=time%2C%20if%20desired.-,Required%20and%20recommended%20fields,-Field.
2. Ad attribution does not need to be at the top, it can be anywhere in the ad.
3. The native ad templates do include ad attribution.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. 

[Liran Barsisa]

1. I know. I already gave you links about it.

2. So why do I see on the docs, as I've linked to, a requirement to put it at the top? If it's not a requirement anymore, the docs should be updated.

3. I know. I'm the one who gave you them as proof about it not being at the top. 

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Liran,

I will check with our team regarding your query and one of my team members will reach out to you once we have an update. Meanwhile, your patience is highly appreciated.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Liran,

Thanks for reaching out. The Ad attribution label does not need to be at the top, it can be anywhere in the ad. I've escalated this issue to the team to update the docs to correctly reflect this information. 

 

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02ntbaj:ref" (ADR-00194189)

Thanks,
 

Justin Malandruccolo Mobile Ads SDK Team