Why Are AdMob Ads Not Showing? Troubleshooting Guide for Real and Testing Ads

If you are experiencing issues with AdMob ads not showing, whether it's testing ads working but real ads not displaying, or vice versa, there are several potential reasons to consider. Below are detailed steps and solutions to help diagnose and resolve these issues.

1. Ad Mediation Configuration

When using AdMob mediation, ensure that the setup is configured correctly. Ad networks must be properly integrated and set up:

Check the AdMob Mediation settings to ensure all ad networks are enabled and configured. Verify that all necessary API keys and app IDs are correctly added to each ad network dashboard. Ensure there are no conflicting configurations or duplicate settings that might interfere with ad serving.

2. Ad Inventory

Real ads may not be showing due to a lack of available inventory. Consider the following:

Your app is new and does not have enough users to generate sufficient ad inventory. Your app targets a niche audience with limited advertisers, reducing available ad slots.

To address these issues, focus on growing your user base and expanding your app's reach through marketing efforts. Regularly analyze your user demographics to identify potential advertisers.

3. Ad Request Frequency

Ensure that you are making ad requests at appropriate intervals. Too frequent ad requests can lead to hitting limits, resulting in fewer ads being served:

Ad requests on average should not exceed 10 per hour for most apps. AdMob recommends querying the Admob API no more than once every 45 seconds. Adjust your app's ad request logic to prevent overwhelming the ad servers.

4. Fill Rate

If your fill rate is low, it indicates a lack of sufficient ads available to serve:

Check your fill rate regularly in the AdMob dashboard to ensure consistent serving. Improve your fill rate by increasing user engagement and making your app more popular.

5. Ad Unit Status

Ensure that your ad units are active and not disabled or under review:

Go to the AdMob console and check the status of all ad units. Verify that no ads are in pending or disabled states. Review any emails or notifications from AdMob regarding ad unit statuses.

6. User Location and Demographics

Ads may not show based on user location or demographic targeting:

Ensure that your app is targeting a broad user base to maximize ad availability. Adjust your targeting settings in the AdMob console to broaden the user pool. Test ads in different regions to identify any geographical location issues.

7. Ad Implementation Issues

Double-check your ad implementation code to ensure ads are loading and displaying correctly:

For Android, check the logcat for any errors and resolve them. For iOS, review the console logs for issues and fix any errors. Ensure that your AdMob SDK version is up to date and compatible with your app.

8. Compliance and Policy Violations

Ensure that your app complies with AdMob policies. Ad networks typically have strict guidelines:

Review the AdMob terms of service and app policies. Check for any notifications or emails from AdMob regarding policy issues. Make necessary changes to your app to adhere to policy requirements.

9. Ad Formats

Verify that you are using the correct ad formats (banners, interstitials, rewarded videos, etc.) and that they are supported in your app:

Ensure that your app supports all the ad formats you are targeting. Test different ad formats to see which ones work best for your users. Check AdMob's documentation for supported ad formats and sizes.

10. Network Connectivity

Ensure that your device has internet access when testing real ads. Poor connectivity can prevent ads from loading:

Test your app on multiple devices and networks to rule out connection issues. Implement basic network checks in your app to ensure stable internet access. Consider using fallback options for ads when internet connection is not available.

Additional Tips

For further assistance, consider the following tips:

Follow AdMob's support guidelines and reach out to AdMob support if the issue persists. Engage with the AdMob community forums and online resources for additional troubleshooting tips. Implement advanced analytics to track and optimize ad performance over time.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve any issues with AdMob ads not showing. Regularly monitor and adjust your ad strategy to ensure optimal ad performance.