Rewarded ads — monetize unpaid users with ads in exchange for free actions
Turn free users into a revenue stream without forcing them to pay. They watch a 15-30 second video ad, you earn advertising revenue, they get premium features.
71%
of users prefer watching ads over paying
4x
higher CPM than traditional video ads
75.8%
average ad completion rate
You're probably here because:
Most of your users will never pay. Industry data shows only 2-10% convert to paid subscriptions. The other 90%+ use your platform for free, generating zero revenue while consuming server resources. You're leaving money on the table every day these users are active but not monetized.
What this gives you:
A second revenue stream from users who refuse to pay. Instead of losing them entirely, offer a value exchange: watch a short video ad, get premium features temporarily. Grindr, MeetMe, and Spotafriend already use this model successfully. Users feel they're earning features, not being forced to pay — and you earn advertising revenue from every view.
Perfect for platforms where:
Low conversion to paid
When your free-to-paid conversion rate is under 5%, rewarded ads let you monetize the other 95%
Users want premium features but won't pay
Profile boosts, Super Likes, "See who visited me" — give free access for watching ads
You need hybrid monetization
Combine subscriptions + in-app purchases + ad revenue for maximum yield per user
Testing premium features before paywall
Let users experience premium through ads first — they spend 4x more on in-app purchases after trying features via rewarded ads
What's included
- Reward triggers for any action: Configure which premium features unlock after ad viewing — Super Like, profile boost, "See who liked me", extended search filters, or site currency
- Ad network integration: Connect Google AdMob, Facebook Audience Network, or other video ad providers
- Frequency controls: Set daily limits on how many ads users can watch to prevent abuse while maximizing revenue
- Reward duration settings: Grant temporary or permanent access — 24-hour boost, 3 Super Likes, 50 site coins
- Analytics dashboard: Track ad views, completion rates, rewards given, and revenue per user
- Cross-platform support: Works on website, iOS, and Android apps
Rewarded ads vs. other monetization
| Approach | User friction | Revenue from free users | User satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard paywall | High | $0 | Low — users leave |
| Banner ads | Low | Low CPM ($1-3) | Annoying, ignored |
| Interstitial ads | High | Medium CPM | Disruptive |
| Rewarded video ads | User's choice | High CPM ($7-17) | Positive — they earn rewards |
Screenshots
This is a prototype. Price shown is for the prototype phase. Final implementation cost depends on your platform configuration and selected ad networks. Learn more about our prototype process →
View the prototype
See the detailed UX flow and interface designs in Figma:
Open Figma prototypeFAQ
Which ad networks are supported?
We integrate with Google AdMob, Facebook Audience Network, Unity Ads, and other major video ad providers. Custom integrations available on request.
Will this cannibalize my paid subscriptions?
Research shows the opposite. Users who try premium features via rewarded ads are 4x more likely to make in-app purchases later. Think of it as a "try before you buy" experience.
What's the typical eCPM for dating apps?
Rewarded video eCPMs range from $7-11 on Android to $9-17 on iOS, with US audiences at the higher end. This is 4x higher than standard video ads.
Does this work on web or only mobile apps?
This prototype covers web, iOS, and Android. Mobile typically has higher completion rates and eCPMs, but web rewarded video is growing rapidly.
How do I prevent users from abusing the system?
Built-in frequency caps limit daily ad views per user. You configure the maximum — typically 3-10 ads per day works well.
Ready to monetize your free users?
Get a prototype customized for your dating platform
Contact SalesRequest a 3-day demo — our Sales team will set it up on your platform; purchase after the trial if satisfied. Request here →
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