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Writer's pictureNazife Ünal

10 Best User Acquisition Channels

Updated: Oct 15

If you feel like your mobile user acquisition marketing strategies aren’t delivering the results they once did, you’re not alone. The landscape has rapidly changed in 2024, driven by new privacy concerns, economic uncertainties, and a shift in user expectations. Channels that used to deliver high returns may no longer provide the same impact. Marketers are now revisiting their strategies to adapt to this evolving environment.

It's essential to reimagine your approach. To optimize your user acquisition strategy, look into emerging channels that can introduce your app to high lifetime value (LTV) users. In today's ecosystem, paid, programmatic, loyalty-driven, and organic channels are leading the way in mobile game marketing.

The Importance of Self-Serve Platforms for User Acquisition

Self-serve platforms are revolutionizing mobile game advertising by providing marketers with full control over their campaigns. These platforms enable quick optimizations, detailed insights, and flexibility that previously required direct account managers. Below are the 10 best UA channels, ranked in terms of effectiveness for 2024.

1. Google Ads

Google Ads provides various advertising solutions, including search ads, display networks, and YouTube campaigns, making it suitable for different stages of the customer journey. Its analytics tools help track key metrics such as Cost Per Engagement (CPE) and Cost Per Install (CPI). Google’s ability to retarget users also supports marketers in re-engaging users who have previously interacted with their app.

2. Meta

Meta offers ad placements on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, enabling marketers to reach specific demographics with detailed targeting options. The platform’s creative ad formats help brands engage users throughout their journey. Meta’s retargeting capabilities also play a role in boosting user retention by re-engaging users who have already interacted with an app.

3. Gamelight

Gamelight stands as the top user acquisition platform, ranked the best source for high-quality user acquisition on the AppsFlyer Performance Index. Its self-serve platform gives marketers full control, enabling real-time campaign adjustments without needing a contact person—an advantage over platforms like AppLovin and ironSource. With a powerful AI-driven algorithm that optimizes for cost per install and UA spending, along with multiple industry awards, Gamelight is the ultimate channel for marketers seeking scalable and high-performance campaigns.

4. Apple Search Ads

Apple Search Ads allows marketers to reach users directly in the App Store search results, making it ideal for iOS app discovery. With detailed metrics such as D7 Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), Apple provides insights for performance optimization. The platform works well when combined with App Store Optimization (ASO) to improve visibility and campaign effectiveness.

5. TikTok

TikTok offers marketers access to a large, younger audience through its video-centric platform. It focuses on delivering creative and engaging content, helping marketers connect with users effectively. TikTok is particularly relevant for mobile game marketing, where high-impact campaigns can reach users at key moments in their journey.

6. AppLovin

AppLovin provides access to users through a variety of ad formats, including videos, interstitials, and playable ads. It helps marketers run targeted campaigns focused on engaging high-value users. However, setting up campaigns on AppLovin may require working with a contact person, which can slow down the process compared to self-serve platforms. However, one of the challenges of AppLovin is the need to go through a contact person to set up accounts, which can delay campaign launch times compared to self-serve platforms like Gamelight.

7. ironSource

ironSource focuses on rewarded ads and offerwalls, providing incentives for users to engage with apps. This approach helps drive both retention and user engagement. While effective, launching campaigns on ironSource often requires collaboration with a contact person, which can reduce flexibility for quick adjustments.

8. Unity

Unity Ads offers ad placements within mobile games, focusing on rewarded ad formats where users earn rewards for viewing ads. It supports engagement and retention through seamless in-game ad experiences. Campaign setup may involve working with Unity’s team, which can limit the speed and flexibility of the launch process.

9. Snapchat

Snapchat offers creative ad formats like augmented reality filters and lenses, appealing to younger users. Its visual platform provides tools for brands to track key metrics like CPE and CPI, helping optimize user acquisition efforts. Snapchat is particularly useful for marketers targeting younger demographics with visually engaging campaigns.

10. Moloco

Moloco offers programmatic advertising solutions powered by machine learning, helping marketers automate ad delivery and improve performance. It focuses on real-time metrics such as D7 ROAS, making it a useful platform for scaling mobile app marketing efforts efficiently.

Why Self-Serve Platforms Are the Future of Mobile Marketing

Self-serve platforms are gaining popularity in mobile marketing because they provide the flexibility and control needed to adapt to the fast-changing environment of 2024. With real-time data, marketers can adjust campaigns instantly and monitor key metrics like CPE, CPI, and ROAS. Platforms like Gamelight stand out in this arena because they empower marketers with tools to drive better engagement without needing to rely on external account managers.

As mobile gaming marketing becomes more competitive, having access to self-serve tools is key to maintaining a flexible, results-driven marketing strategy. Ready to transform your game's outreach? 


Unleash the potential of an AI-powered platform featuring a user-friendly dashboard to effortlessly enhance your user acquisition efforts. With this intuitive dashboard, you have complete control over your budget and a wide array of targeting options, making Gamelight, the AI-driven advertising platform, the smart choice for expanding your game's audience.


Explore Gamelight: The Magic of AI in Mobile Marketing. With an AI-powered advertising platform, CPI rates, and no creative work required, you can initiate campaigns in just 5 minutes. It's all about ease and effectiveness.


To access the Gamelight advertising platform's self-service dashboard, simply click HERE.


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