No ads when gad_has_consent_for_cookies is set to zero

[deve...@chaoticbox.com]

I'm not seeing test ads when I set gad_has_consent_for_cookies to zero to enable Limited Ads as described here:

https://developers.google.com/admob/ios/global-settings#consent_for_cookies_settings

I'm using the 10.0.0 SDK on iOS/iPadOS 16 (various simulators & real devices). Interstitials fail with "No ad to show" and banners fail with a null error. The result is same with AdMob test unit IDs and my own unit IDs on test devices.

Everything works fine if I remove the gad_has_consent_for_cookies key from UserDefaults but I would like to use Limited Ads by default. Am I missing something here?

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hello,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us.

 

For us to properly troubleshoot your issue, kindly provide us the following information below privately:

 

• Sample App
• Steps to replicate
• App ID 

 

You can provide the following details via reply privately to author option or directly provide it to the link below.

 

If the file(s) you are looking to share are less than 25mb in total you can attach them to this case on your next reply. If you are having trouble attaching your file to this case or if your file(s) are larger than 25mb, you can share your files with me by performing the following steps:

 

1. Navigate to

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Regards,

Zoilo Isagani Mobile Ads SDK Team

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[Frank C]

I've uploaded a sample project and replied privately but I can't see any evidence that my reply was received (I don't use google groups normally sorry). Hopefully you got everything...

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hello Frank,

Thank you for the information you provided. We will have to share this to the wider team to provide assistance on this. Rest assured that one of our team will reach out to you.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Frank,

My name is Chris and I'll be assisting with your case. I had two questions regarding your case:

- Are you using a CMP like our UMP SDK to obtain any kind of consent before setting the cookie to 0?
- Have you used the Privacy & Messaging section in the AdMob UI to create an opt-out to format the IAB TCF v2.0 string as outlined here?
- Are you getting No Fill errors, or just a more generic "no ad to show" error?

Regards,

Chris

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[Frank C]

Hi Chris,

For the first 2 points, I'm not obtaining consent and I haven't created an opt-out form as I want to avoid all that entirely. I just want to enable Limited Ads (opt-out) by default so no consent is required.

I get a null error for banners, and "no ad to show" for interstitials. I should note that I'm in Canada so as far as I understand the gad_has_consent_for_cookies setting shouldn't affect ads served to my location at all? I do get that fewer and/or lower CPM ads might be shown for EEA countries, but that's fine. As noted in the original post I'm seeing these errors with test ads - Google's test units and my own live units on test devices. I haven't tried live ads.

Thanks.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for this information! I am going to speak with our engineering folks to confirm the behavior in your different scenarios as Limited Ads are a very specific use case. I do want to note that you can expect fill rates to be significant lower for Limited Ads, and that mediation partners will not work with Limited Ads.

In the meantime, could you confirm you've followed all the steps at this link to enable test ads?

[Frank C]

Yup. Tried demo units and test devices with live units.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi Frank,

After speaking with engineering, they've informed me that if you are setting to Limited Ads by default without any CMP to generate a TC string, then there will be no demand for those ads and therefore no ads to show. Although you want to serve Limited Ads by default, it is still recommended you implement a GDPR CMP to send the TC string.

This may also be causing your test ads not to function as well. I would suggest ensuring a TC string is being sent, and then we can see what may be going wrong with test ads.

[Frank C]

Is there a dummy's guide on how to create a "CMP to generate a TC string" - Is that set up through the web admin? Does gad_has_consent_for_cookies affect *all* regions? (I'm in Canada so why are ads not being served here?)

I'll take a look at this again at some point but I'm under pressure to release an update and between this issue and broken ad rendering on newer iPhones I ended up implementing Unity Ads for this build. Unity has default consent workflows built-in with basically zero effort. It would be great if AdMob had a default working config since I'm guessing a lot of people are in the same boat as me - I'm a lone game dev and not a lawyer so having to manually deal with various consent workflows is a huge barrier.

Thanks.