At a glance: AppLovin, an AppsFlyer integrated partner, is a well-known ad network for mobile app traffic. In addition to click-based mobile attribution, AppLovin also offers cost, ad revenue, and view-through attribution, which you can record with AppsFlyer.
Setting up AppLovin
Prerequisite: Before setting up the integration, make sure you contact the partner and open an account with them.
To activate or edit the integration:
-
To activate: In AppsFlyer, from the side menu, select Collaborate > Partner Marketplace.
To edit: In AppsFlyer, from the side menu, select Collaborate > Active Integrations. - Search for the partner and select it.
- Click Set up integration. You’re directed to the integration setup page.
- In the Integration tab, select the app for the integration and turn Activate partner on.
Note: The toggle must be on (activated) for as long as you work with the partner. - Complete the configuration using the relevant tabs, as described below.
AppLovin's configuration window includes 5 tabs: Integration, Attribution link, Cost, Ad Revenue, and Permissions. Click on the items below to read about the tabs setup.
For a detailed description of the Partner Configuration Window Header, click here.
Tip
- The General Settings step in the Integration tab is mandatory for all partners
- All the rest of the steps are either descriptive or optional
Integration tab
Activate partner
On the first visit here, you will need to toggle ON the Activate Partner button to enable setup of the integration tab's parameters. The toggle MUST be ON for as long as you work with the partner.
For more details about partner activation, click here.
Note
As an ALL-Installs network, AppLovin prefers to receive postbacks for all new installs of your app from ANY source, including organic. It is recommended to select *Events attributed to any partner* to send all install postbacks to AppLovin.
General settings
SDK Key
AppLovin connects with AppsFlyer via a unique sdk_key. If you don't already have the sdk_key, you must obtain it from AppLovin to continue with the integration.
Enable View-Through attribution
Toggle this to ON if you want to attribute view-through installs from AppLovin. The view-through lookback slider is available on the attribution link tab (described below).
Default postbacks
Send automatic postbacks to AppLovin following user installs and re-engagements. Use this section to define the source of the users that allow sending these postbacks.
Select Only events attributed to this partner for events coming only from users attributed to AppLovin.
Select Events attributed to any partner or organic to have your entire user base available to be reported to AppLovin.
In-app events settings
In this section you can map which of your AppsFlyer events to send to AppLovin via postbacks.
- Set the AppLovin sdk_key again here.
- Toggle In-App Event Postbacks to ON.
- Select the Sending Option for all SDK-defined events.
- Only events attributed to this partner for events coming only from users attributed to this partner
- Events attributed to any partner or organic to have your entire user base available to be reported to the partner - Click Add Event to add an SDK Event to the list
- Fill in the following parameters:
| Parameter Name | Description |
|---|---|
| SDK Event Name | The name of the event, as received by AppsFlyer either from the SDK integrated in your app, or from server to server events. Tip - If you don't see the event you want in the list, make sure to activate the event on a device with a non-organic installation and recheck. |
| Partner Event Identifier | The unique name or ID of each event as defined on AppLovin's side. Obtain the corresponding Event name from AppLovin and set in the text field. |
| Send Revenue |
When unchecked - sends all the parameters of the rich in-app event to the partner, except for the revenue parameter, which is contained in the af_revenue parameter. When checked - sends all the parameters including the revenue value (if it exists in the event). |
Attribution link tab
Generate and save attribution links and send them to the partner for attributing specific campaigns, ad sets, or single ads - both for UA and retargeting campaigns. You can use either a single-platform link or a OneLink.
Learn more about attribution link structure and parameters.
To generate an attribution link, follow these instructions.
Read more about how Apploving defines clicks and views.
Cost tab
AppsFlyer gets cost details by API. See the ad network cost integration table for full details on the supported dimensions, metrics, and features. Note: Cost data requires an ROI360 subscription.
To enable the cost API:
- Follow these integration instructions.
View your cost API status and the last time AppsFlyer managed to pull matching cost data in either the cost (and ad revenue) integration status dashboard, or in the individual ad network dashboard.
Applovin billable cost
As of August 1, 2024, Applovin bills all their customers based on probabilistic installs. Prior to this date, some customers were billed based on SKAN installs. See Applovin for additional information
The AppsFlyer cost integration with AppLovin accurately reflects this billable cost. Meaning the cost in AppsFlyer properly matches the cost on the AppLovin platform.
Ad revenue tab
- Applovin provides ad revenue mediation with aggregate data.
- About ad revenue attribution (ad monetization)
To enable the ad revenue API:
- Follow these integration instructions.
Note
- Applovin sends ad revenue that it generated itself.
- Ad revenue from mediation partners such as ironSource and Unity may be displayed on the Applovin dashboard, but is not sent to AppsFlyer. Enable other mediation partners in AppsFlyer's dashboard to send ad revenue data directly to AppsFlyer.
Permissions tab
In this tab, you can select the permissions to grant AppLovin. Note that even if attribution is disabled for AppLovin, the permissions tab is active and you can grant control to AppLovin.
Ad network permissions
Use these toggles to give the ad network permissions to handle its own configuration for your app:
- Allow to configure integration - permit the partner to setup the integration tab (except in-app event postbacks)
- Allow to configure in-app event postbacks - permit the partner to setup in-app event postbacks mapping to itself on the integration tab
- Allow access to your retention report - only to the partner's own retention data
- Allow access to your aggregate loyal user data - only to the partner's own loyal user data
- Allow access to your aggregate in-app events data - only to the partner's own in-app events data
- Allow access to your aggregate revenue data - only to the revenue data attributed to the partner
- Allow access to your Protect360 dashboard - only to the partner's own Protect360 data, and providing the feature is enabled for the advertiser
Learn more about granting ad network permissions.