Google Tools: AdSense vs. AdMob

Summer is over. It’s time to grab your book bag and head back to class. One question — which is more important for the first day of a new semester: a calculator or a notebook? 

It might seem like a simple decision…if you know what classes you’re taking. 

When it comes to the Google tools within the ad space that you need to earn more revenue, the question isn’t if you should use them, but which ones you should use. From Google Ad Manager to Google AdMob to Google AdSense: there is a wide range to choose from. The key is finding the right combination for your unique needs.

In a previous article, we covered the difference between Ad Manager and AdSense. Today, school is in session once again. The subject: AdMob vs. AdSense. 

You might think there’s an easy answer, but let’s get real. This is ad tech. Not a 101 home economics course.

So, take your seat. Pull out your paper and gel pens. That was the bell.

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The Complete Guide to Google AdSense

What is Google AdSense?

Let’s start by defining our terms. 

Google AdSense is a free, easy-to-use ad network where publishers can earn income by hosting ads next to content on their websites. 

The platform offers simplicity and next to no learning curve…in exchange for a lack of controls and advanced capabilities. 

Google AdSense offers —

• More customized ads
• Targeting capabilities for advertisers
• More demand for your ad units

Here’s the basic math — 

• Better ad viewing experience = higher value ad inventory
• Increased demand = more competition for your available inventory
• Higher value inventory + more competition = more ad revenue

To solve for x: AdSense is a great tool for beginner website publishers. It’s free and accessible, so it provides the ideal environment in which to learn the fundamentals of ad monetization.

What is Google AdMob?

Similar to AdSense, Google AdMob is an ad monetization platform, but AdMob is designed for mobile appdevelopers/publishers.

AdMob provides mobile publishers with access to global demand, a wide range of ad formats, and a suite of the best mobile application monetization tools available. 

In doing so, the platform has the power to improve the value of every ad impression which raises the value of your inventory, resulting in — you guessed it — more money in your pocket.

Here’s where you’ll want to take notes. 

In AdMob, you get —

• Access to the largest ad network in the world: more demand means better ads for your visitors, more user engagement, and higher value inventory. 
• Ad mediation: access multiple demand sources so you’re always displaying content from the most premium advertisers.
• Hybrid revenue options: diversify your income by taking advantage of multiple revenue streams, including in-app advertising and in-app purchases.
• Actionable insights: review key metrics and learn how to improve campaign performance and visitor experience

The thesis: AdMob is a great tool for publishers looking to monetize their mobile app. It’s free to use and very beginner-friendly, so it’s perfect for ad revenue freshmen.

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The Complete Guide to App Advertising

AdMob vs. AdSense

Now that we understand the basic definitions, time to compare.

Google AdMob is for monetizing ads on mobile apps. AdSense is for monetizing ads displayed next to content on a website. 

As much as we’d love to slap all this information into a Venn diagram, it’s not that easy to sum up. 

Sure, AdMob is the mobile version of AdSense. But each tool offers different functionalities. 

Mobile and web publishing are two completely separate environments, so you need two unique tools to monetize each effectively.

For example —

• Different inventory types: unlike a tool like GAM, where both web and mobile inventory is available, AdMob is only compatible with app inventory and AdSense is only compatible with web inventory.
• External demand: AdSense does not allow access to other demand sources beyond Google ads demand, but AdMob does.
• Direct-sold ads: AdMob supports direct sales whereas AdSense does not.
• Payments: In AdSense, Google manages the entire payment process for you. In AdMob, you are responsible for your own billing and payment collection process.

You wouldn’t use a protractor in English class or a thesaurus in geometry class. Both tools will help you get an A, but only if used in the right setting.

The same rules apply here. AdMob and AdSense are designed to support specific types of publishers.

Ace Ad Monetization With Playwire

That concludes today’s lesson. By now, you should have a good idea of whether AdMob or AdSense is better suited for your monetization goals. You’re ready to sign up and get started.

Keep in mind, you may start to feel the restrictions of these platforms over time. Once this happens, it’s most likely time for your next lesson: unfortunately, using AdSense or AdMob alone won’t get you very far.

Both are great starting points, but they lack the sophistication required to bring in the big bills. 

The problem is that building out your own tech stack and managing your ad ops is a big commitment. At this stage, you’re still in grade school. To build your own in-house team and solution, you need a doctorate degree. It requires a huge time and cost investment, and without the technical know-how, the chances of failure are too great to ignore.

That’s where we come in.

Think of Playwire as that gifted kid in your class who does everyone’s homework. We’ll take care of all the tricky stuff. All you have to do is invite us to the cool kids' party.

Ready for an easy A? Reach out to us online to get started.

More Information About Google Products

Browse some of our content about other Google advertising products:

• What is Google Ad Manager?
• Playwire vs. DIY Google Ad Manager
• What is Google Open Bidding?
• Ad Serving with Google Ad Manager
• 6 Best Practices for Using Google Unified Pricing Rules
• How to Set Custom Target CPM and Unified Pricing Rules in Google Ad Manager
• How to Manage Protections in Google Ad Manager
• Google Confirmed Click: What Publishers Need to Know
• In-App Advertising with Google AdMob
• What Does It Mean to Be a Google Certified Publishing Partner?
• Partnering with Playwire vs. Managing Google Ad Manager Yourself