Sensor Tower's "Gaming Deep Dive: Ad Monetization" report analyzes the intersection of advertising, network demand, and hybrid monetization strategies across 19 global markets. Ad monetization has become a core business model for the vast majority of the gaming industry. Ad-supported games still account for the overwhelming majority of downloads, and as a result, ad strategies have shifted from being a mere supplementary revenue stream to a foundational pillar supporting player acquisition and engagement across the entire market. To navigate this market, understanding its skewed structure is essential. Mobile ad revenue is heavily concentrated within a select few genres, ad networks, and product strategies. Puzzle games remain the primary driver of the ad economy, and the choice of ad network can determine whether a given genre can reach its appropriate audience. Furthermore, for hybrid-casual games, the decision of whether to prioritize ad revenue or in-app purchases (IAP) is a fundamental business decision that dictates ultimate revenue potential. This market is a mature ecosystem exceeding $12 billion, and success within it requires a high degree of alignment between game design, regional targeting, and overall strategy. For more details, download Sensor Tower's "Gaming Deep Dive: Ad Monetization" report for free to read the full report. Download the Full Report for Free Ad-monetized games still lead in driving downloads To analyze mobile game entry points, it's crucial to focus on downloads rather than revenue. Ad-monetized titles continue to drive the vast majority of installs in major global markets. While this share has slightly decreased from past peaks, its persistence is the key takeaway. The dominance of the ad model remains unshaken, even as IAP growth slows and new puzzle and hybrid-casual game mechanics reshape the competitive landscape. These market shifts reflect not simply a surge in ad-centric titles, but rather a decline in non-ad revenue competit