Mobile app advertising: top paid ways to increase app downloads

You're competing with over 5 million apps across major app stores, and organic discovery won't cut it anymore. While 70% of mobile users discover apps through search, paid advertising now drives the highest-quality installs at scale. 

Whether you're launching your first app or struggling to break through download plateaus, mastering the right paid channels can transform your acquisition metrics. 

Here's what actually moves the needle when your budget's on the line.

1. Run app store ads

When you're ready to scale paid app user acquisition, start with app store ads—Apple Search Ads and Google App Campaigns put your app in front of high-intent shoppers right where they install. Use these placements to capture users already searching for solutions like yours and accelerate mobile app advertising ROI.

Build a tight keyword set (brand, category, competitors), segment by match type, and set bids to your target CPA. Pair concise headlines with clear value props and strong calls to action. Test creative variations weekly and cut underperformers fast. Align ad copy with your product page to reduce bounce.

Track impressions-to-install, tap-through rate, conversion rate, and cost per install. Expect app store ads to drive up to 50% of new users. Integrate with ASO to compound paid advertising efficiency.

2. Use in-app advertising

In-app advertising can amplify your paid UA by boosting visibility and funding more spend. Platforms like Blockchain-Ads, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and TikTok Ads allow you use banner, interstitial, and rewarded video ads to generate incremental revenue and surface your app to high-intent users.

Start with audience segmentation. Target cohorts by behavior, geo, device, and LTV to align creatives and bids. 

Optimize ad placement, format, and frequency: cap interstitials, keep banners above the fold, and offer rewarded videos at natural pauses. Prioritize relevance to protect UX and retention.

Track impressions, CTR, view-throughs, eCPM, ARPDAU, and conversion rate. A/B test creatives and floors to improve yield and UA efficiency. 

Feed top-performing segments into your mobile app ad campaigns to advertise your app more profitably and scale paid app user acquisition. See our full guide on in-app advertising for practical tips on implementation.

3. Use mobile ad networks

Launch paid ads across mobile ad networks like ironSource, Blockchain-Ads, and Unity Ads to drive high-intent traffic and increase app downloads quickly in priority markets. Use precise audience filters, lookalikes, and interest/behavior targeting to focus spend on users likely to register, subscribe, or purchase.

Build a structured mobile app ad campaign: test multiple creatives (video, UGC, playable), placements, and bid types (tCPA, tROAS, CPI). Start broad, then tighten targeting based on cost per install, install-to-registration rate, day-7 retention, and LTV. 

Set budgets using CPI and LTV thresholds; pause segments that miss payback targets. Monitor daily. Iterate creatives, audiences, and bids to compound performance. Mobile app advertising on leading mobile ad networks scales reliable UA efficiently.

5. Use Google AdMob

Extend paid app user acquisition by leveraging Google AdMob to reach users across thousands of partner apps. Use AdMob's banners, interstitials, rewarded video and native formats to drive installs and track conversions in your mobile app advertising funnels.

Set precise audience targeting and frequency caps, then A/B test creatives and placements; AdMob's reporting reveals CPM,CTR and eCPM so you can reallocate budget to high-performing segments.

Implement SDKs, monitor retention post-install, and iterate campaigns weekly to scale paid app advertising efficiently.

6. Run Reddit Ads

When you want precise, community-driven reach for your mobile app advertising, run Reddit ads to target users by subreddit interests, demographics and keywords. 

You'll discover that sponsored posts in relevant subreddits drive high-quality installs at lower costs than other social platforms.

Your paid app user acquisition strategy should leverage:

• Community-oriented creatives that resonate with specific subreddit cultures
• Retargeting campaigns for users who've engaged with your Reddit ads
• Sponsored posts that build trust through authentic messaging
• Continuous A/B testing of visuals, copy, and targeting parameters

Reddit's unique ecosystem lets you advertise your app to highly engaged communities. Test different ad formats while monitoring cost-per-install metrics. 

Focus your app advertising budget on subreddits where your target audience actively participates, then scale winning campaigns systematically.

7. Use influencers on Youtube and TIkTok

Most successful mobile app ad campaigns now allocate 30-50% of their paid UA budget to influencer partnerships on YouTube and TikTok, where creators drive install rates that outperform traditional display ads by 3-5x.

You'll maximize your app advertising ROI by partnering with creators whose audiences match your target demographics. Data-driven influencer marketing lets you select YouTubers and TikTokers based on engagement rates, audience analytics, and past campaign performance.

When you're advertising your app through authentic creator content, conversion rates can jump by 50% compared to standard paid ads.

Track clicks, installs, and retention metrics for each influencer partnership. This social media marketing approach works because viewers trust creators' recommendations over traditional advertisements.

Focus your mobile app advertising spend on micro-influencers with 10K-100K followers—they typically deliver higher engagement rates and better cost-per-install than mega-influencers.

8. Try paid PR campaigns

Beyond influencer partnerships, paid PR campaigns offer another powerful channel for your mobile app advertising strategy that builds credibility while driving installs. You'll reach potential users through trusted media outlets rather than traditional ads, making your app advertising efforts more authentic and persuasive.

Paid PR campaigns work through multiple channels:

• Wire services - Distribute press releases to thousands of journalists and publications simultaneously 
• Sponsored content - Place articles in industry publications that highlight your app's unique value 
• Podcast sponsorships - Secure interview spots on relevant shows your target audience follows 
• Media kits - Provide journalists with ready-to-publish assets about your app

Track your paid PR performance through app store ranking improvements, referral traffic from publications, and download attribution. When executed properly, these campaigns deliver both immediate UA results and long-term brand authority that supports all your mobile app ad campaigns.

9. Reach out to mobile app review websites

While paid PR campaigns cast a wide net, targeted outreach to mobile app review websites delivers concentrated exposure to audiences actively searching for new apps to download. 

Sites like TechCrunch, Mashable, and AndroidPolice command massive, engaged readerships that trust their recommendations. You'll find that positive user reviews from these platforms substantially boost your app's credibility and conversion rates.

To maximize your app promotion success, offer exclusive previews or beta access to reviewers—this increases your chances of getting featured coverage. The backlinks and referral traffic from these authoritative sites also improve your app's search visibility, creating a compound effect on downloads. 

Consider this outreach as a strategic investment in your paid acquisition strategy, where the cost of securing reviews delivers measurable returns through increased organic discovery and higher install rates.

Setting your app advertising for success

Before launching your mobile app advertising campaigns, you'll need to create a foundation that maximizes your paid UA efforts. 

Start by optimizing your app store listing with compelling screenshots, descriptions, and keywords since this is where your ads will drive traffic.

While you're preparing for paid app user acquisition, submit your app to ProductHunt and build social media profiles to establish credibility that'll boost your ad campaign conversion rates.

Make sure your app store listing is well-optimized

Success in mobile app advertising starts with a foundation that many overlook—your app store listing. Before launching paid app user acquisition campaigns, make sure you have an optimized app store listing that is ready for conversion.

Your app store optimization directly impacts your mobile app ad campaign ROI. Here's what you need to nail:

• Compelling title and keywords - Include relevant search terms users actually type 
• High-quality screenshots - Show your app's core value within the first three images 
• Localized descriptions - Adapt messaging for different markets to boost conversion rates
• A/B tested elements - Continuously test icons, screenshots, and descriptions to maximize downloads

When you're advertising your app through paid channels, every visitor costs money. Don't let poor app store listing optimization tank your conversion rates and inflate acquisition costs.

Get listed on ProductHunt and similar platforms

Although ProductHunt and similar platforms aren't traditional paid advertising channels, they're essential launch pads that amplify your mobile app advertising efforts without direct costs. 

Getting featured on ProductHunt or AppSumo can generate thousands of organic downloads that reduce your paid UA costs considerably.

Time your listing strategically—launch on Tuesday for ideal visibility and prepare your mobile app advertising campaigns to capitalize on the traffic surge. You'll need compelling visuals, a crisp tagline, and early supporter engagement to climb the rankings.

These platforms create social proof that enhances your app advertising performance across paid channels. Users who discover you through ProductHunt often have 40% higher retention rates than those acquired through standard paid campaigns, making this exposure invaluable for long-term growth.

Start building a social media presence before official launch

Your mobile app advertising campaigns will perform markedly better when you've already cultivated an engaged social audience months before launch. Building social proof early creates a foundation that amplifies your paid UA efforts once you're ready to advertise your app at scale.

Start growing your presence with these tactics:

• Run competitions - Offer exclusive beta access or premium features to generate user interest and engagement
• Partner with micro-influencers - Pay for sponsored posts that attract quality beta testers who'll provide valuable feedback
• Create teaser content - Build anticipation through behind-the-scenes posts and development updates
• Incentivize shares - Reward early followers who help spread awareness about your upcoming app

This pre-launch community becomes your social proof when launching mobile app ad campaigns, substantially improving conversion rates and reducing acquisition costs.

Conclusion

You've got multiple paid channels to boost your app downloads—from app store ads to influencer partnerships. 

Start by testing 2-3 platforms that match your target audience's behavior. Track cost per install, retention rates, and lifetime value for each channel. Scale what's working and cut what isn't. 

Don't spread your budget too thin initially. Focus on mastering one channel before expanding. 

Remember: successful app advertising requires constant testing, optimization, and data-driven decisions to maximize ROI. For even more practical ways to promote your app, check out our guide on user acquisition strategies and see what fits your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Increase My App Downloads?

You'll increase app downloads by launching targeted mobile app ad campaigns on Blockchain-Ads, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and TikTok Ads. Monitor your CPI closely, optimize based on conversion rates, and adjust your paid UA strategy to maximize ROI.

How to Get 100,000 App Downloads?

You'll need a strategic paid app user acquisition campaign with $50,000-$200,000 budget. Focus on Blockchain-Ads app advertising, targeting high-intent users. Scale winning ad creatives, optimize for post-install events, and maintain a $2-5 cost-per-install.

How Much Money for 1000 App Downloads?

You'll typically spend $500-$5,000 for 1000 app downloads through paid UA campaigns. Gaming apps average $0.50-$1.50 CPI, while productivity apps cost $2-$5 per install. Your actual costs depend on targeting, creative quality, and bid strategy.

What Is the Best Marketing Strategy for an App?

Your best app advertising strategy combines targeted paid UA campaigns with lifetime value analysis. You'll optimize conversion rates through CPM/CPC models, adjust campaigns to your app's vertical, and focus budget on high-performing markets like the USA.