Mobile CPA marketing

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Mobile CPA marketing is your opportunity to profit from one of the largest and most promising traffic sources. Currently, nearly 7.5 billion people use mobile devices (67% of the global population) and this figure is steadily increasing. Smartphones are owned by approximately three-quarters of the population in industrialized nations, and the great majority of people use them worldwide. This trend unlocks vast opportunities for advertising and monetization. In our new guide by 888STARZ Partners, you’ll learn about mobile affiliate marketing and how to use it.

What is CPA marketing for mobiles, and why does it matter?

Mobile CPA marketing refers to any type of advertising directed to mobile devices. This covers both paid advertisements, such as banner ads and SMS campaigns, and free traffic sources, such as social media platforms.

Which devices are used more often by internet users
Source: Statista

The key feature of such form of traffic is that it’s exclusively generated from mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Here ads can be found in mobile browsers, apps like social media and games, as well as through push notifications, pop-ups, and more.

So, why should you consider mobile marketing? One of the answers to this question lies in the numbers. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the smartphone market grew by 7.8%, making mobile advertising a smart choice for driving traffic.

Statistics on the number of mobile users over the last 5 years
Source: Statista

Recent statistics show that the highest number of mobile users is found in China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil. At the same time, mobile device markets and internet penetration in Tier 3 regions continue to grow rapidly, leading to an increasing volume of potential traffic. Currently, approximately 70% of the population in these countries uses mobile phones. This gives you the flexibility to focus on affluent Tier 1 countries or profit from emerging Tier 3 regions like India or South Africa — the choice is always yours. By the way, if you’re considering a middle ground, specifically Tier 2 countries, we’ve prepared another article highlighting all the key aspects and opportunities for this GEO.

Types of mobile advertising

CPA marketing for mobiles encompasses five main types of advertising:

  • Banner ads: 

This classic format remains relevant despite its age. Display ads can be static or animated, incorporating text, images, and clickable buttons. The average cost-per-click (CPC) ranges from $0.10 to $1, depending on the platform and targeting. While being budget-friendly, banners generally have a lower click-through rate (CTR) compared to other mobile ad formats, typically around 0.1-0.2%.

  • Video ads: 

Mobile video advertising delivers strong results by capturing attention: videos evoke more emotions in users, leading to better retention and increased brand recognition. The average CTR for video ads in mobile apps can reach 1-2%, several times higher than that of banners. By the way, video ads are typically divided into two types: rewarded ads, where videos are shown in exchange for rewards (common in gaming apps), and native ads, which are integrated into the website or app content and appear as a natural part of it.

  • Interstitial ads: 

These full-screen ads often appear during transitions in mobile apps, such as between game levels or when navigating to a different section. Their CTR can be 3-5 times higher than standard banners, as they capture more attention. For example, in mobile games, a full-screen ad may appear after completing a level. Such ads can either be skippable after a few seconds or mandatory to view.

  • Social media ads: 

Advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok is one of the fastest-growing segments. By the end of 2024, social media ad spending is expected to reach $243.6 billion. These platforms offer precise targeting based on interests, age, GEO, and more. For example, a fitness-related ad can target users actively following workout trends.

  • Gamified ads: 

A relatively new format in CPA marketing, include interactive game elements like challenges, puzzles, and clickable features. For instance, users might solve a puzzle or complete a mini-game to unlock discounts or other rewards. This approach increases engagement and interest, especially when users can actively participate in the ad.

What are the advantages of mobile affiliate marketing?

Mobile CPA marketing offers numerous benefits for affiliates. Here are the key advantages:

Mobile advertisements make advantage of precise user data such as location, interests, demographics, and purchasing behavior. This improves conversion rates and income by targeting the right audience more precisely.

Mobile devices are the major source for internet access, making them essential for reaching vast audiences. Because of its widespread use, advertising may engage both younger and older audiences, potentially reaching millions of customers.

Mobile advertising is significantly more affordable than traditional advertising. The smaller screen requires less space to display advertisements and less data to download, lowering the cost as compared to PCs or laptops.

Mobile platforms offer detailed analytics, allowing affiliates to track key performance indicators throughout a campaign, which enables timely adjustments to strategies. However, it’s worth noting that A/B testing in mobile traffic can be more expensive than on desktop platforms.

Now that we’ve reviewed the many forms and benefits of mobile advertising, let’s look at the most popular mobile offer formats in affiliate marketing.

What are the types of payouts for target actions in mobile offers?

There are at least six popular conversion formats for mobile offers, ranging from the simplest to more specific ones. Here are the main types of advertising offers:

  1. Cost Per Lead (CPL)

The user provides their name and contact information. This is the most common conversion format in affiliate marketing.

  1. App Installs

The user installs an app, registers, or launches it. A web page appears for browser downloads, whereas pop-up shop users are directed to the App Store or Google Play.

  1. Direct Billing

The user subscribes to receive content. This process can be: one-click conversion, where a single button press confirms payment or subscription; and two-click conversion, which includes an additional page with more detailed information about the subscription.

  1. SMS Billing

Unlike direct billing, SMS billing works across all connection types, including Wi-Fi and mobile data. The user confirms the subscription by replying to a message or entering a PIN code from the SMS on the landing page. Some pages simplify this process by auto-filling the user’s phone number if it’s saved in the browser, allowing the user to simply press a button to receive the message.

  1. Click2Call

Here the customer calls the advertiser’s number. The payout type depends on the advertiser. Affiliates may receive a fixed payment as soon as someone from the advertiser’s call center answers the call. Alternatively, the payout can increase based on the call duration.

  1. Push Notification Subscription

The user lands on a page where they’re prompted to subscribe to push notifications, typically by clicking an “Allow” button.

Payout models to choose for mobile ads

To better understand mobile offers, it’s essential to know that most of them follow the same payment methods as traditional advertising. Here’s a breakdown of the key payout models to help you navigate the various abbreviations:

  • PPC (Pay per Click)

With PPC marketing strategy you earn money for every click on your ad. The user’s subsequent actions don’t matter — you get paid just for the click on a banner or link. This model is also known as CPC (Cost Per Click) and is widely used in contextual advertising and search engines.

  • CPS (Cost per Sale)

This model focuses on sales. You earn a payout only after the customer completes a purchase. If no transaction occurs, you won’t get paid. A related term is CPO (Cost per Order), which applies to specific services instead of physical products.

  • CPA (Cost per Action)

In this model, payment is made for a specific action defined by the advertiser. Common actions include purchasing a product or service, filling out a contact form, subscribing to a newsletter, or downloading and installing software. The most recent fall under the category of CPI (Cost per Installation).

  • CPL (Cost per Lead)

In this case, you get paid for each qualified lead. A lead typically involves the user completing a targeted action, such as providing name, email, or phone number, or subscribing to a newsletter. This payout model will be perfect for those focused on subscriptions or lead generation.

  • CPM (Cost per Mille)

Payment is made for every 1,000 impressions of your ad. This fixed-rate model is suitable for brands aiming to boost awareness without targeting specific user actions like clicks or leads.

  • CPV (Cost per Visit)

You earn money for every visit to the advertiser’s website, regardless of what the user does after landing on the page. This model is advantageous when the goal is to drive traffic to a site or landing page.

Each model has its own peculiarities, and you should not focus just on one. You may try each of them and choose the one that best meets your needs.

Top niches for mobile CPA marketing

Mobile CPA marketing caters to almost any niche. However, in particular areas, offers can convert much better, so for your convenience we have made a list of relevant niches for mobile affiliate marketing:

When people feel bored or lonely, people often turn to dating apps. Platforms like Tinder, Badoo, and others make it easy to meet new friends or even start a new relationship. Online dating has become an integral part of modern life, and smartphones make it more accessible than ever.

Smartphones have revolutionized shopping habits. Now, people make purchases on the go. Online stores are adapting quickly, optimizing their websites and apps for smaller screens. If you can attract users to install an app, register, or make their first purchase, it’s an excellent opportunity to make money.

Lotteries and prize giveaways have become incredibly convenient on mobile devices. With just a few clicks or by entering a PIN code, users can participate online. For webmasters and advertisers, this is a popular way to drive conversions.

Mobile gambling is an exciting opportunity to earn profit. People place bets on sports, spin slots, and try their luck in card games directly from their smartphones. For professional webmasters, this niche is a goldmine — they’re paid for registrations, first deposits or bet on sports. The key is to provide users with an appealing offer that encourages them to take action in betting or casino.

Main sources of mobile traffic

To profit from mobile traffic, choosing the right source is crucial. Some of them work well for both desktop and mobile, such as InPage Push, Facebook, or search ads. Others are more specialized, either designed specifically for mobile or requiring extra configuration:

  1. Classic push-notifications;
  2. Pop traffic;
  3. In-app ads.

Let’s break down each in the context of driving mobile traffic.

Push traffic

Push traffic comes from push notifications sent to users on mobile devices or browsers. Advertisers can deliver messages with offers visible even when the user is not actively browsing a website. This is a high-conversion traffic source, especially for mobile platforms.

Mobile affiliate marketing works particularly well with push notifications. While traditional desktop push ads are still effective, their performance is gradually declining as fewer users subscribe to notifications (InPage Push tends to dominate on desktops).

Mobile devices, however, tell a different story. Users often appreciate receiving updates from their favorite sites and media via push notifications. According to Business of Apps, in 2023, over 80% of Android users opted into notifications, with 5.5% consistently engaging with them. While 5.5% may seem modest, this percentage of the 5 billion mobile users worldwide represents a massive audience. And with the increasing shift toward mobile over desktop advertising, the potential is only growing:

Internet advertising spend: desktop vs. mobile (2019-2024)
Source: Business of Apps

Push ads can range from banners or videos to fully interactive gameplay fragments. The latter method is highly recommended for webmasters promoting mobile apps.

Here’s a couple examples of effective push notifications:

Pop traffic

Pop traffic is generated through pop-ups or pop-unders that appear on the user’s screen when visiting a website. This type of traffic is often used to grab attention, as the unexpected appearance of these windows increases the possibility of clicks.

Pop traffic is an intriguing source with a vast audience and a range of opportunities. Essentially, it acts as a landing or pre-landing page that warms up the audience and motivates them to take a targeted action. Detailed product information and interactive elements perform well with pop ads.

In mobile traffic, it is important to adapt to the operating system’s format. Pop-ups need to open quickly — according to Google, if a site takes more than 3 seconds to load, around 50% of traffic is immediately lost.

Here are visual examples of pop-ups for traffic generation:

In-app traffic

In-app refers to traffic obtained from within mobile applications or games. There are different ways to acquire in-app traffic. For example, you can reach out directly to app owners and negotiate placing your ads on their platforms. However, it’s simpler to use dedicated ad networks that automate the process and offer additional features, such as advanced targeting.

In-app traffic is not as mainstream as traffic from Facebook or TikTok. Therefore, if you’re looking for something unique and new, you should definitely try this format — especially if you’re running iGaming offers.

In-app traffic is an excellent solution for many niches. Primarily, this format is an ideal choice for those promoting gambling offers through apps. This has become an extremely common practice where affiliates transform the webpage of an offer within an app and drive traffic directly to it. While the great bulk of traffic comes through Facebook, you may also use in-app strategy.

You can work with almost any type of offer. The key is to choose the appropriate platforms for generating traffic that align with the final product or service. Then you’ll be guaranteed to benefit! 

Conclusion

Overall, success in mobile affiliate marketing depends on a multitude of factors. Every detail matters: pre-landing pages, ad banner design, mobile optimization, audience targeting, traffic data analysis, testing of offers, and more.

Anyways, now is arguably one of the best times to start earning through mobile CPA marketing. The audience here is consistently growing, the quality is high, and advertising costs are still affordable. At 888STARZ Partners, we offer high-quality mobile traffic through personalized WebView or PWA apps, in-app ads, and more. Join our partner program and start monetizing your traffic today — contact your personal manager!