The recent decision by AppLovin to prohibit the use of its SDK in apps targeting children under 13 has significant implications for developers of kids' content and mixed-audience applications. While this move aims to strengthen compliance with children’s online privacy regulations like COPPA and GDPR-K, it has left many publishers wondering how to continue safely monetizing their under-13 traffic. At Kidoz, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and provide guidance on compliant and effective monetization strategies.
Key Takeaways from AppLovin’s Decision
1. Prohibited Use in Kids’ Apps: AppLovin's SDK (for versions 13.0.0 and later) can no longer be initialized in apps or app segments classified as "kids’ content" under COPPA, Google Play Families Ads Policy, or iOS Kids categories.
2. Mixed-Audience Challenges: For mixed-audience apps, developers must ensure the AppLovin SDK is not used for users identified as under 13.
3. Compliance Responsibility: Publishers are responsible for ensuring compliance by avoiding the transmission of data about under-13 users to AppLovin.
What Are Your Options?
The key to continued success is integrating solutions that cater specifically to children’s privacy regulations while maintaining monetization efficiency.
Here’s how you can adapt:
1. Using AppLovin MAX Mediation with Kidoz SDK
If you wish to continue using AppLovin’s MAX mediation:
Implement an Age Gate Mechanism:
Create a simple and clear age gate within your app to determine user age. When users indicate they are under 13:
- Route their traffic to the Kidoz SDK, which is designed for COPPA-compliant ad serving.
- Funnel over-13 traffic to MAX mediation, which remains available for non-child audiences.
This approach ensures compliance while maintaining monetization for both segments of your audience.
2. Leveraging AdMob or LevelPlay with Kidoz
Scopley’s Stumble Guys App Age Gate
For publishers using AdMob or IronSource LevelPlay mediation, Kidoz offers custom network adapters to streamline compliance and monetization.
Option 1: Age-Gated Monetization: Similar to the MAX mediation approach, implement an age gate and route under-13 traffic through the Kidoz SDK. Over-13 traffic can continue leveraging standard demand partners.
Option 2: Universal Compliance for All Traffic: If most of your audience is likely to be under 13, you can treat all traffic as COPPA-compliant, directing it through Kidoz and other compliant demand sources.
While this reduces demand complexity, it simplifies compliance and protects against inadvertent violations of privacy regulations.
Visit our github to learn more.
Why Kidoz?
Kidoz is the go-to platform for developers targeting under-13 audiences. By providing a fully COPPA- and GDPR-K-compliant solution, Kidoz ensures:
- Privacy-First Monetization: Ad-serving practices that meet the highest regulatory standards.
- Rich Demand Options: Access to both Kidoz demand and other premium compliant networks.
- Seamless Integration: Custom adapters for popular mediation platforms like AdMob and LevelPlay.
Need Help Adapting? Learn more about Kidoz Safe Monetization or reach out to Head of Publishers Noam Hahn.
Eldad Ben Tora
