Anyone using TapContext?

Monetizing, Advertising & Marketing Advertising Networks
61

Hello @CGAK,

Thanks for the questions, I have broken them down here.

  1. Where are you located?
    San Francisco, CA, USA

  2. What is your payment threshold?
    We have a $250 minimum payout

  3. What are your payment terms? Net 7, 15, 30
    Net 30. We do offer weekly payouts for developers earning over $500 a month.

  4. Are you backed by VC?
    Yes, we have venture capital backing.

  5. Why should we use you?
    We believe our unique (patent pending) contextual ad targeting provides a key benefit over other others, it allows us to maximizing advertiser’s effectiveness, which means we can offer you higher payouts than our competitors. But, I think the answer is more than just “we pay more”. It is important to note that, while nobody likes notifications, due to the contextual nature of our ads we limit the annoyance of the advertisements as much as possible, which is an important benefit to our developers.

We wrote about some of the benefits in a past reply here Anyone using TapContext? - Advertising Networks - Making Money with Android, but also feel free to learn more by visit: Loading...

62
  1. San Francisco please expand on that. Do you have a satellite office in San Francisco or is the entire operation in San Francisco. Are you U.S Based or do you have “office in the US.” Big difference. Many ad networks are truly not US based:
    -Leadbolt is from Sydney, with offices in US.
    -Airpush 98% -100% of their technology is Indian based but they use US Offices.
    -InMobi 100% Indian with US offices and internationally
    -Startapp Isreali based company
    -RevMob Brazilian based expanding to US soon
    -Tapica- Isreal

I would rather stick to American based (really based in US) Like:

  • Chartboost
  • Admob
  • MMedia
  • Mopub
  • Adcolony
  • Jumptap
  • SendDroid US Based
  • Tapit US based

Anyways, you get my point. Please tell us where you are from for reals, we want to know if it is US based or you have an office in US. The major reason is that if we know that if it is US based the chances to get our money increase exponentially. Also VC will spend money for US based companies rather than International… Big Money equals faster payouts (for the most part) and readily able to spend money on technology.

  1. I see you pay out on a threshold of $250, this indicates that you wait for the advertiser / affiliate networks to pay you out before you pay us developers out… Pretty risky but I know why its done this way. So here’s a question why would I go with a New company that hasn’t been tested and trust them on my money … until it hits $250? Doesn’t it seem like theirs a liquidity factor there? If you were funded why did you company take this into account??

  2. Net 30, read above … no biggy…

  3. You are backed by VC funding? Please tell us who? Maybe we would feel comfortable if we knew which company and we could see a website on them?? Also what other ad networks have they invested in??

  4. Patent pending?? Hmmm are you referring to “Text Ads?” Isn’t this what a Push Notification is , a text type ad?? Also “Contextual” how does this targeting work on games? Example … Not loads of content on Candy Crush so by your technology you would server “relevant contextual ads” does this mean you would only serve Hershy’s chocolate and M&M’s ??? You see how this could be misconstrued?

At the end of the day it’s a another ad NEW ad network with no real big improvements. I find it funny that the word is out on mobile and loads of companies are RUSHING to take their share of the mobile gold rush… Bottomline, please give us a “compelling reason” based on the questions above why we should look at you.

Thanks

63

  1. We are entirely and truly US-based. We do have multiple offices, although all of them are in the US (including development and support).

  2. This threshold is more about preventing fraud than any master scheme to keep from paying honest developers. Click and ad fraud is a major hassle for ad networks, from Google on down. Many developers don’t realize that trust has to be earned on both sides. We need to protect ourselves from fraud and cheaters just as much as you do. So both the terms and the payment threshold are in place more because that’s the starting point for a new developer to earn our trust. The thresholds are more of a necessary evil than a specific requirement of our business model. Devs with healthy long-term performance and relationships can always work with us if their needs require something different.

  3. Ok.

  4. I know this does nothing to help your comfort level, but our venture capital funding came with a non-disclosure agreement.

  5. Our pending patents relate to what triggers an ad and the functionality of what constitutes an ad. The whole foundation of TapContext is contextual, relevant ads delivered in close proximity to the triggering event. Whether the presentation of the ad is text-based, display, full-screen interstitial, etc. is not the unique value that we offer. It’s the context. And therein also lies the power of our network… click-throughs and overall ad engagement are significantly higher than elsewhere. We’re not trying to compete on platitudes and warm fuzzy promises. We have a real and legitimate difference with other networks. Please read some of the other posts and links in this thread… much of this has been answered and there’s real value in the conversation.

I get that you’re a skeptic. And that’s ok. We’re the new kids on the block, and not everyone is ready to play with us, yet. But I also think there’s a line between healthy skepticism and outright distrust. It feels like you’re falling on the far side of that line because of past experiences with other ad networks. There’s only so much we can say to convince you, but we’d rather win you over with our actions. Try us. That’s the proof.

64

Good answers… But when referring to the threshold I beg to differ. Bottomline from a developer perspective why wait until $250, I would assume fraud would be more prelvant on the advert side and not on the dev side of things…

I will wait to try you guys just like most will do… I like your answers but again im not sold on context it’s seem like you said “platitudes and warm Fuzzies.”

For now I will stick to AdMob and Airpush… I know they at least pay out weekly and have low thresholds… thanks

65

As mentioned above, TapContext normally pays on a monthly basis. If you earn over $500/month you’ll be eligible for weekly payments.

I started on monthly payments, but then at the end of June moved over to weekly payments. Received my first payment on June 6th for all income (ads + referral revenue) prior to that date. My second payment came through a few hours ago, for the week June 6th-12th. So I’ve only received two payments to date, but they have both been on schedule with no trouble at all.

66

QUOTE:
I’ve been using TapContext for about a month now. At first the SDK seemed to be causing excessive battery usage for some users. I sent this feedback through to my account manager, and a fix was implemented very quickly. In my experience the company has been very responsive to feedback and quick to follow up any issues I encountered.

The battery issue maybe related to their use of the WAKE_LOCK - which is generally not encouraged these days - and other options like KeepScreenOn() (or whatever the API is for that) are recommended practice. But they may have some special reason for that - i.e. greater reliability to track install or something. However WAKE_LOCK is an optional permission - hopefully not using it will not affect things too much.

A Short Review of Leadbolt numbers

I am seeing these numbers (for last 7 days) for Leadbolt:

App1
Impressions: 23,440
Clicks: 542
ECPM: $0.61
EPC: $0.03
CTR: 2.31%
Revenue: $14.24

App2
Impressions: 29,699
Clicks: 775
ECPM: $0.45
EPC: $0.02
CTR: 2.61%
Revenue: $13.32

Compare to the last 60 days:

App1
Impressions: 304,980
Clicks: 9,349
ECPM: $0.85
EPC: $0.03
CTR: 3.07%
Revenue: $259.43

App2
Impressions: 247,342
Clicks: 7,300
ECPM: $0.73
EPC: $0.02
CTR: 2.95%
Revenue: $179.51

Since these are Leadbolt HTML AppWalls - Leadbolt can ONLY measure clicks (and not final/complete installs from Google Play - something like THAT would be possible with an SDK - as AppBrain/Tapjoy/GetJar SDKs do - I don’t know if the Leadbolt SDK version of AppWall is able to do the check or if that AppWall is exactly the same as the HTML AppWall).

One way Leadbolt COULD be doing checks for actual installs - is if an advertised app is run after being downloaded - if it has Leadbolt SDK installed, that can inform Leadbolt about an installation - and if there is some correlation between the location, IP address etc. - then that is seen as confirmation of a “causal” link between a click and an actual install. I don’t know if Leadbolt is doing this.

So the stable number here should be the EPC - which is stable around $0.02-$0.03 range (though this TOO maybe tuned by Leadbolt according to the “quality” of the developer etc. - who knows).

The variable part is the CTR - which will depend on the how frequently you are showing the AppWall (similar to “refresh rate” for banner ads), if it is presented at an inopportune moment, and on the user demographics and their match with the ad types shown.

So these can vary from the developer app to app.

The CTR however seems to be varying on a DAY-TO-DAY basis from 1.38% to 3%.
eCPM varies greatly between U.S. $0.80 to $1.69 for France to $0.60 for Great Britain.

So there are so few clicks (for the apps above) - that there may be random noise (perhaps because the revenue in a day is actually dependent on so few apps ?).

For the last few weeks I am seeing lower revenue from Leadbolt - and on a daily revenue graph can see great variation - some days it is $10 - which is closer to what it used to be - but on alternate days it is $2 - in fact seems to alternate between high and low days etc.

EDIT: I am now seeing more (and stabler day to day) revenue from Admob banner ads (!) than Leadbolt interstitials.

Comparing with David’s numbers for TapContext, one can see that the CTR and EPC are both almost 2x what I see - thus the eCPM (and total revenue) is 2x2 = 4x what I am seeing with Leadbolt.

The question is - are these numbers sustainable - or do we just use TapContext interstitials while they give reasonable revenue ?

A higher CTR COULD be supported IF they truly target users by the apps they have installed etc. (so pitch similar apps to those users).
A higher EPC may just be artificially high right now - to promote the network.

A few issues with TapContext:

  • do they have SEPARATE SDKs for their push notifications ? (if a developer wants no push notification or EULA)
  • does their interstitial have a prefetch ? (not having such will impact user experience - HOWEVER, I guess it could be argued that if revenues is still higher despite no-prefetch then maybe ok ?)
  • they offer a 15% commission for referrals - so the referrer gets 15% of your income FOREVER !! So TapContext clearly values referrals - and it can indirectly be used to drive favorable reviews and blog posts. However, the developer is getting 15% less of what they COULD be getting. What does this bode for the company (perhaps referral percentage will go down over time). So TapContext is stingy about net30 (though will give net15 terms to those with $500/month revenue as mentioned in posts here) because it is willing to give 15% to referrals. Perhaps that 15% is coming from the 30% or whatever TapContext’s own margin ?

I would consider them for their interstitials - but don’t want to be tainted with push notification EULAs etc. (or anti-virus complaints later).
And I would like if there was a prefetch mechanism for the interstitials.

67

Another standard issue with TapContext (as with other ad networks) - if they have no ad to show for your location, you don’t see anything - so clicking on the interstitial ad did nothing.

Don’t see any push notification ad either.

Then some seconds later SUDDENLY the “Running a Quick Virus Scan of all your apps” appears - which rapidly seems to be scanning actual apps on your device as their names appear briefly on screen as it scans.

It gives an option to “Install Protection NOW!” - big red button (along with “Certified by AV Test” and “eTruste” etc. medals of the app).

There is a “not now” button - which is in all lower case and in grey.

I clicked on the “1 Threat found” - but it did not give a list of exactly WHAT it had found. However few seconds later it started scanning something again - and then it says “2 Threats found”. And this paragraph:

Warning: 2 Threats Found by Virus Quick Scan
Strongly Recommended to Install Armor for Android for Threat Repair, Phone Protection & Deep Scan

Now this is likely to make THOUSANDS of your users see a threat - and immediately associate “virus” with your app - if nothing else there will be many who were not thinking of “virus” but will think so now as they will have a Pavlovian response trained into them - whenever they open your app they are reminded of “viruses”.

I don’t think this is the type of message developers have in mind for their users …

So after some time I have a choice of:

  • not now (greyed out and lower case)
  • INSTALL PROTECTION NOW! (in a big red button and in caps!)

Which should I choose - I’ll click on the red button - should be more interesting …

Rather than going directly to Google Play - see a choice between browser types (as happens with many ad networks - I guess they are informing the advertiser and URL redirects of a click) - I click one of the browsers - it is actually a webpage (and not Google Play).

Is asking for Credit card - total is $0.49.

Now maybe this is a great app - and I would really like if my app had a paid option like this (since paid apps not available in my location) - however I suspect selling apps like this is NOT legitimate for my own app (once it is downloaded from Google Play) - but what about an ad that is selling another app (which is most likely NOT on Google Play - like this Armor for Android app) - as far as the ad network is concerned this may be legitimate (since app is not on Google Play).

But are ad networks we use supposed to be doing this ?

How is this different from us selling an addon via credit card purchase ?

Clicked on the interstitial button again - and now “App Loading” appears and the antivirus ad appears faster this time - again doing a virus check.

Clicking on Back button DOES dismiss the ad - so that is good (for the user).

Clicked again - this time dismissed the ad using the “not now” greyed out button - and that does the same thing as the Back button.

Now I suppose I could put this in an app and for sure it will give better revenue - may even bother the users less … but something about it doesn’t seem right. It is very aggressive marketing of an app.

A question that arises is WHY is Armor for Android not being sold via Google Play directly - and why via ad and the credit card page ?
And it is really only $0.49 - or is that some smaller version ?

Checking Google Play - there IS an Armor Antivirus:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.armorforandroid.security&hl=en

And it is selling for $29.95 !!

Next I checked through the ratings/comments - and sorted by Rating - and tried to find any negative comments - there were almost none - and barely could find any 4 star comments. They were all 5 stars. I wonder if that is normal. Plus all comments were ecstatic (maybe it really is a great app ? - but antivirus apps on android are not as needed as on windows - so why the ecstatic behavior - or maybe it has some other “features” as pointed out in the comments).

It is a paid app with 5,000-10,000 downloads. HOWEVER, the number of ratings are 1020 !!

I have that many ratings with nearly 500K downloads !

Just checking if perhaps paid apps have a higher frequency of ratings/downloads:

History Eraser Pro - 10K-50K downloads - 2K ratings - so seems in same ballpark.
Kaspersky - 100K-500K - 30K ratings

So I guess the ratings/download figure is NOT indicative of anything fishy …

Anyway …

68

Ok, a bit later I see a notification ad - pulling down to see the ad:

Notification
Ad Run ARMOR AntiVirus QuickScan ?
Ad Tap for Security Scan by ARMOR for Android
Ad by TapContext Demo | 1optout.com to Optout

69

I still don’t understand the whole RPMD and its relation to revenue. Tapcontext shows eCPM/CPM or only RPMD?

What if my app gets 5000 downloads today and 4000 downloads tomorrow, are my earnings only related to unique downloads per day or total active installs?

In a typical scenario, tapcontext will push to all my active users so i should get money on eCPM basis, just like airpush. I am not really concerned about the RPMD numbers which seem to be skewed higher. Whats the real eCPM people are getting is what matters.

Anyone care to share their eCPM rates?

Also, if i earn $500 in my first week, will they switch me to weekly immediately or i have to wait for my first payment which will be 60 days to be switched to weeklies?

70

Looking for other apps with TapContext - searching in Google Play for “tapcontext” …

Battery Saver

Looking at the comments - generally positive. There are a couple which don’t like the ads (but we get that with Leadbolt interstitials also if we present them too often):

5 stars - Wonderful. Aside from the adds

3 stars - Works alright
I really dislike the constant ads. Today alone there’s been 8, which is ridiculous.

This makes me wonder (for the first time - since I have generally been negative towards push ads vs. interstitials or other “in-app” ads) if the ads INSIDE the app - i.e. interstitials may actually be MORE troublesome to users than push notifications (i.e. counter-intuitive to developers).

After all push notification ads are all in one place and easily dismissable - as opposed to interstitials which appear out of nowhere or in the middle or something.

While the new Google attribution of push notification ad to the offending app places blame correctly - even that may not be as bad - as the in-app ads. In both cases you know the app is causing the ads.

Another is:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eco.boost

Their description of TapContext:

The app is free and ad supported by notification ads and in-app interstitial ads from Tap Context. Some of these ads perform an actual cloud based quick virus scan of the users device. You can use the app and disable the notification ads by going to 1optout.com, using the 1optout.com app, or simply disabling notifications by unchecking ‘show notifications’ in the app manager for this app.

Install our malware FREE Android Eco Power Booster FREE today!

Now it COULD be argued that an ad that is actually a real antivirus scan (or threat scan) COULD be doing some useful purpose - as opposed to just some ad about Candy Crush.

And this type of ad maybe better suited for tool-type apps where that type of “additional service” is seen as complementary to the app.

The “contextual” nature of TapContext IS actually a very powerful feature - and is better explained by one of the graphics on their webpage - which shows an ad:

“If you liked History Cleaner, you will like: XXX app”

That is - BECAUSE the ad network knows what apps are installed - they can target ads to those users - knowing they will be more interested (higher CTR) - plus because a “reference” (to already installed app) is given it will reduce barrier to entry.

This is the patent pending part that TapContext probably will try to leverage - though I suspect this will be used by everyone eventually and not clear how patentable this would be - since it is already done by Google Play and the app store apps - though perhaps not in the context of an interstitial ad or push ad.

71

The link that the Description gives:

http://www.1optout.com/

Is some standard service - which gives help on removing notification ads.

However practically, the slight inconvenience of doing so - will ensure that push notifications will probably remain at reasonably high volume.

This webpage shows how you can disable push notifications:

  • by downloading an app on Google Play:
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oneoptout.optout
    You run the app once and can uninstall it later (probably does the same as the Manual optout - i.e. sends an IMEI for the device)

  • by Manual optout - by entering an IMEI number etc.

  • also shows how you can disable push notifications on a per-app basis (using Settings option).

The opt-out app has 5K-10K downloads ONLY (!) - which tells you how often users are actually using this.

Some comments saying ads not stopped … while others pissed off at ad providers - some blaming Google or Samsung. This itself shows the “subterfuge” element that push notification ads tend to use - i.e. users were earlier not told which was the offending app - i.e. drive-by ad networking in a way - and now even when it is shown (thanks to Google policy changes) - users are not noticing still - and some blame Google/Samsung etc.

72

On the TapContext dashboard - you are given these choices for payout:

  • PayPal
  • Check

I wonder if wire transfer remains an option (if one contacts support) ?

For example AppBrain is able to setup wire transfer if you e-mail them.

EDIT: ok, in their FAQ they mention that they CAN setup wire transfer also:

QUOTE:

  1. What are the payment options (PayPal, Wire, Payoneer…)?
    For smaller payouts ($250 - $3,000), we send payment through Paypal. We will wire the funds if it is a large payout and the developer requests a wire. We are flexible to remit payment in ways that work for you. Payout requests become available once your earnings total has reached a minimum of $250.00. Payouts are available on any earnings from the last day of the previous month and any accrued revenue before that date. Please be aware that some payment options incur processing fees. We also offer weekly payment options for developers earning over $500.

Here is some more info on the “contextual” nature of their ads - and it does seem interesting (don’t know how well it works out in practice - the Armor for Android antivirus would seem a bit aggressive to developers - but then most developers are not aggressive sales folks … ?):

QUOTE:

  1. How many notification ads will be shown?

Notification ads are contextual and will increase if customers install more apps, or trigger contextual actions for ads. Setting notifications to Very Low in the control panel will result in no more than 2 notifications shown in one day. The normal, default setting averages 1-3 notifications per day, depending on contextual triggers. Keep in mind that these ads feel somewhat natural as they are contextual - for example showing a photo editing app notification when someone is editing a photo. We recommend leaving the setting at normal because limiting it to a maximum of 2 per day can result in lost contextual ad serving opportunities. The amount of notifications per day varies based on contextual behavior, but it is important to note that as the users aren’t being spammed with irrelevant ads it is difficult to compare it to other push networks.

TapContext also is unique from other push networks in that we control contextual triggers and notification on a device basis, not just an app basis. Thus if a user has 10 apps installed with Tap Context, they will receive the same about of ads as if they only has one app with Tap Context installed. This is different from other push networks where a user would see 10 times as many ads if they had 10 different apps with the network installed. We believe in the long run this dramatically enhances the user experience.

What is interesting about this paragraph is that it reveals that TapContext will NOT burden the user with per-app ads. The downside of this (for the developer) is that AS the market gets saturated with more apps using TapContext - their itty bitty small app will be competing for push notification ad space with other apps (which are using TapContext). Eventually they will be drowned out by the other apps.

Additionally, a simple “you are one of 10 apps” will not be fair to an Angry Birds vs. your small app - so EVENTUALLY TapContext maybe forced to (to satisfy it’s bigger app developers) - to give more preference to bigger apps - or perhaps implement a “which app was more recently run - give attribution to that”.

On the other hand - the attribution may be automatic on the basis of “contextual” info (again) - i.e. if TapContext wants to show an ad from Armor for Android - and they have 10 apps with TapContext integrated - they may choose XYZ Antivirus app from among those 10 to be a “better recommender” (i.e. drive higher CTR) if an Armor for Android is presented with context being “recommended by XYZ Antivirus” rather than by Candy Crush etc.

The sharing of push notification space has been discussed here before - i.e. do 10 apps overburden the user if all show their share of Airpush push notification ads ? Or does Airpush reduce the ads shown - or just confine to newer installed apps (which would suggest revenue going down per app over time … ?).

With TapContext this will almost certainly happen (if all apps started using TapContext) - as there will be competition from ads in the push notification space.

The interstitial ads however will belong purely to the app running the ad at that time - this suggests that over time, push notifications (even from TapContext) will become less relevant (for small app developers).

73

Saw another push ad - for some Battery saver - however it ALSO seems to be associated with Armor for Android.

Noted another thing - which may answer the question posed earlier - if the Armor for Android app is $29.95 on Google Play - why is it listed for $0.49 on the ad website for credit card ?

And WHY are they selling on website ?

It seems the website/credit card stuff is charging for a subscription (!) - something which is not immediately clear (just like the “not now” button in grey) - if this is true HOW do users cancel a subscription - and how long does it last ?

Now it is possible they have easy in-app methods to cancel the subscription etc. but the excessive presence of Armor on TapContext but it seems like Armor for Android is quite dominant in TapContext ad inventory (or is TapContext a division of Armor for Android ?).

74

@adforandroidapps… I can’t remember when last i finished reading any of your posts… Veeeeeeeeeeeery long…!!!

75

Someone posted Google Play policies in another thread, and looking through that it becomes clear that for in-app payment you have to use Google - EXCEPT when the product or feature bought is to be consumed OUTSIDE the application.

So for example for in-game features - you cannot use a credit card service.

https://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html

QUOTE:

In-app purchases: Developers offering additional content, services or functionality within an application downloaded from Google Play must use Google Play’s payment system as the method of payment, except:

  • where payment is primarily for physical goods or services (e.g. buying movie tickets; e.g. buying a publication where the price also includes a hard copy subscription); or
  • where payment is for digital content or goods that may be consumed outside of the application itself (e.g. buying songs that can be played on other music players)

This means not only is it legal to have ads that sell Armor for Android via a website for credit card entry etc.

But even your app could directly charge for credit card billing - if the feature was to be used outside the current app.

This means it is legal to basically operate your own Play Store - that charges users.

So if Google payment is not available at the developer’s location - they COULD release a third “store” app - which allows users to buy premium versions of all their apps !!

Secondly if the app is not downloaded from Google Play - there is no restriction - i.e. you could charge using movend.com or some such credit card service …

What do folks think about this interpretation ?

QUOTE:

Ad Walls
Forcing the user to click on ads or submit personal information for advertising purposes in order to fully use an app provides a poor user experience and is prohibited. Users must be able to dismiss the ad without penalty.

The standard way to not force users to click on ads is that:

  • clicking on ads does nothing to reward the user
  • if the ad rewards the user (“incentivized ads” as used with virtual currency ad networks like Tapjoy/GetJar etc.) - then there should be an alternative to user earning coins etc. - and one way many apps have chosen to implement that is to reward user with coins for returning to the app etc. - this way all content IS potentially unlockable just by playing the game long enough - it just would be slower than actually completing a Tapjoy offer to get some coins etc.

QUOTE:

Policy Enforcement
In the event that your application is removed from Google Play, you will receive an email notification to that effect. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a removal or a rating/comment from a user, you may contact us at http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer. Serious or repeated violations of the Developer Distribution Agreement or this Content Policy will result in account termination. Repeated infringement of intellectual property rights, including copyright, will also result in account termination. For more information on Google’s copyright policies, please see here.

So if an app is removed, contact Google at:
http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer

76

Same here. I have been moved to weekly payouts & received my first weekly payment on last Friday.

BTW @david, in order to increase your RPMD value, I would suggest trying with apps with more longer user engagement such as educational based apps.

Here are my stats for this month so far (till 14/7/2013) :

Total (All Ad Types Combined):

Installs: 39,742
RPMD: $34.90
EPC: $0.03
CPM: $3.23
Earnings: $1,386.87

77

Third-party payments
Downloading other apps from third-party servers

Some additional info on what can get you banned on Google Play:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDDgoxvQsrQ
Google I/O 2012 - Ten Things Game Developers Should Know
Published on Jul 10, 2012
Dan Galpin, Ian Lewis
This session reveals the things experienced game developers do to get good Google Play reviews, create a strong Android user experience, and be considered for featuring in Google Play Apps.
For all I/O 2012 sessions, go to https://developers.google.com/io/

At the 33:53 mark, it mentions that “do not distribute other apps using your app”.

This means (I am assuming) that POINTING others to apps on Google Play is ok.

But actually using the app to download another app may not be ok.

With TapContext and the Armor for Android example - since the payment is being make outside Google Play - using a credit card entry into a webpage that TapContext shows - this PROBABLY means that the Armor for Android app ALSO is downloaded separately i.e. from outside Google Play.

This would make TapContext fall awry of Google policies.

In contrast look at Amazon App Store app - that points users to Amazon servers and has the app downloaded from Amazon servers.

And perhaps THAT IS WHY the Amazon App Store app is NOT found on Google Play - you have to download it separately from Amazon. Once you have it on your device, you can use it like you use Google Play.

Also comparing to GetJar Rewards - THERE the app does NOT download from a third-party site - but is instead a referral service - i.e. ALL app downloads actually happen THROUGH Google Play.

Thus GetJar Rewards is probably legal by Google standards.

The video also examines “using Google payment only” issue at the 33:00 minute mark - since many folks (including me in the beginning) had asked about whether this disqualifies “virtual currency” solutions like GetJar/Tapjoy etc. - I think the language used in the video suggests the issue is more with CASH payment (i.e. credit card, money transactions etc.) that the user is burdened with that is OUTSIDE the Google Play payment experience.

Since GetJar/Tapjoy employ a “reward” mechanism - that does not burden the user with divulging credit card info etc. - and NEITHER does it look like the user has paid anything (they only download other apps and in lieu of that activity are awarded virtual currency to use within apps) - this would suggest that this type of virtual currency SHOULD NOT fall awry of Google Play restrictions on third-party payments.

Note that GetJar Rewards is actually listed on Google Play - which means there is some level of acceptance of GetJar by Google.

At the 34:00 minute mark the video discusses asking users for review - and it is clear from the talk that you CAN ask users for reviews - just don’t ask them to review a certain rating.
And says CAN even incentivize user to leave a rating - just not ask them to rate a certain rating (the talk suggests that that will ensure you not get featured (so it may not be sufficient reason to BAN your app but it won’t get featured).

78

Could someone help me with understanding how they are paying? I have information, that I earned xxx$, but some of money I have in my “Additional Months” payouts… So if I earned e.g.1000$ in July - I will get only some of them in August, and some in next months?(till January)?

79

Good work and thank you - keep in up. Your posts include well researched and informative, very important, info.

thank you

80

what you saying is absolutely correct. they pay very well and their ecpm is very high(non practical). but im not sure how long it will survive. this will be another Airpush/LeadBolt