mobile ad

Facebook is upping its efforts to make money on mobile.

In early August, the company rolled out its first mobile ad units that aren't tied to a user's social connections. These ads, which Facebook called a test at the time, let an undisclosed number of third-party developers buy ads in mobile New Feeds as a way to help them drive more people to their apps. Tapping on the ad would take you to the Android or iOS App Store purchase page.

Now Facebook is opening its mobile app install ads to all developers, which should help spread apps … Read more

The general thought in the tech world is that mobile ads are something companies should be intensively focusing on -- since it could be a good source of revenue.

But, are these ads resonating with users?

A new study shows that most smartphone owners admit to not remembering mobile ads, according to The Next Web.

In the study, which was conducted by ad solution company Azullo, 1,014 U.K. smartphone owners were asked if they could remember an advertisement they'd seen on their device in the last six months. Only 21 percent said yes.

What's more, when … Read more

Thursday's tech news roundup is feeling square:

In the search for more money, YouTube is adding video commercials to play before videos on smartphones and tablets. These ads will play for five seconds before users can skip right to the video. As we spend more time on mobile devices, it's only natural for advertising to migrate. Android users will be the first to see pre-roll ads, since the YouTube iPhone app cannot show ads. But that will change in the next YouTube app version for iOS 6.

The Google+ network has updated its sliders. The feature, found in … Read more

Wednesday's Update pays top dollar to bring you the top stories:

Analysts are predicting that as many as 10 million iPhones could be sold if Apple launches it in September. That's because many reports are pointing to a Sept. 21 release date for the next model. So if you're planning on selling your old phone for cash, you should plan ahead to make the most money. Trade-in sites like eBay Instant Sale, NextWorth and Gazelle are already seeing an increase of visitors looking to sell an iPhone 4S or iPhone 4.

You can get more money for … Read more

Have you ever downloaded a free mobile app and then noticed an ad invading your phone's notification bar? That's an example of aggressive advertising, a trend that mobile security firm Lookout is trying to squelch with the release on Monday of app ad guidelines.

Lookout's Mobile App Advertising Guidelines are designed to encourage ad networks and app developers to improve their privacy practices. If reckless mobile ad practices continue, apps risk being labeled as adware by Lookout. Worse, the industry could face regulation, says Lookout Chief Technology Officer Kevin Mahaffey.

"I think we can solve this … Read more

June is the perfect time for backyard barbecues, lemonade and tablet warfare:

Microsoft is taking tablets into its own hands with the Surface. And next week, so will Google. It's expected that Google will show off the Nexus tablet at its developers conference that begins next week. And some reports have Google's tablet launching in July -- which will likely be before the Surface hits stores.

The Surface boasts solid hardware, a kickstand and a cover that also serves as a keyboard. But how much will it cost? All we know is that the light version, using Windows … Read more

With mobile advertising becoming increasingly more important, Facebook appears to be amping it up. According to Bloomberg, the social network is developing a mobile ad product that uses real-time data based on users' locations.

"Phones can be location-specific so you can start to imagine what the product evolution might look like over time, particularly for retailers," Facebook's vice president of global marketing solutions Carolyn Everson told Bloomberg. "We've had offers being tested over the last couple of months."

When the company went public in May, people speculated that in order to keep share prices … Read more

Earlier this week, I wrote about how Facebook is in danger from a new kind of social network, one that's born mobile and figures out how to make money on that mobile usage.

I figured, in response to many questions and comments, it was only fair to get a little wonky for a moment about who actually is making money on mobile, or how a site or startup might try a mix of potentially successful strategies in the future. Here are my guesses.

First, the only apps and companies making significant money on mobile right now are making most … Read more

Though it's certainly too soon to call iAd a failure, Apple has not been happy with the adoption rate of its advertising platform it has seen thus far. In February, Apple reduced the minimum buy-in for campaigns to $100,000 (down from $1 million at the iAd launch in 2010). It was also rumored at that time that the iAd revenue share percent would jump to 70 percent for developers.

Now, according to a report by AppleInsider, that jump in developer revenue has become a reality.

According to an announcement on Apple's developer center: