Microsoft Discontinues Ad Monetization Platform for UWP Store Apps

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Many Windows Store app developers receive revenue from bundling ads with their software. However, it looks like they have no such option anymore. Microsoft is shutting down its Ad Monetization platform for UWP apps. It will stop working on June 1, 2020.

The official announcement says the following.

As of June 1st 2020, the Microsoft Ad Monetization platform for Windows UWP apps will be shut down. This decision was made primarily because it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the product at the current levels.

Key points to note

  • The Ad monetization service will continue to run through the shutdown date of June 1, 2020. Certain underperforming Ad networks will be shut down between now and June 1, 2020.
  • Developer earnings through the platform prior to the shutdown date (i.e. May 31, 2020) will be paid out per the regular payout schedule.
  • Historical data including Ad performance data will be made available for download till June 8. All Ad Monetization web pages such as the ad unit configuration, analytics pages will be taken down post this date.
  • While this transition may be painful for developers who rely on the Ad Monetization platform today, we want to provide adequate time to make the transition to another ad platform. Our recommendation is to begin initiating a switch over immediately by evaluating alternate options for ad monetization for your Windows apps.

Developers have to switch to an alternative ad solution, however, it will be not that easy, since only a few ad provides support UWP apps.

It is unknown what made the company to terminate its ad monetization platform. Maybe Microsoft is just not happy with the number of Store app users, so the Redmond Software giant is not interested in spending its resources on supporting the SDK and related infrastructure.

Source: This tweet. Also thanks to Nick, who pointed me to it.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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