top of page
Writer's pictureVika Muzyka

SKAN Unveiled: Understanding Apple's App Tracking Transparency

With the release of iOS 14.5, Apple introduced a groundbreaking privacy feature called App Tracking Transparency (ATT), along with its accompanying framework, the SKAdNetwork (SKAN). This move brought significant changes to the landscape of app marketing and user privacy. As an app marketer, it is essential to understand how ATT and SKAN work and how they impact your app marketing strategies. In this article, we will delve into the details of Apple's App Tracking Transparency and SKAdNetwork to help you navigate this new era of app marketing.


  • What is App Tracking Transparency (ATT)?

App Tracking Transparency is a user-centric privacy feature that gives iOS users more control over their data and how it is collected across apps. With ATT, every app must seek user consent before tracking their activity across other apps and websites for advertising purposes. This means that app marketers need explicit permission from users to access their Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) for targeted advertising.

  • The Implications of ATT for App Marketers:

ATT presents a significant challenge for app marketers who heavily relied on IDFA for personalized and targeted advertising. Without user consent, access to IDFA is limited, making it difficult to track user behavior and deliver highly personalized ad experiences. As a result, app marketers need to adapt their strategies and find new ways to engage users and drive app installs in a privacy-conscious environment.

  • Introducing SKAdNetwork (SKAN):

To address the limitations posed by ATT, Apple introduced the SKAdNetwork framework. SKAN is a privacy-preserving attribution framework that allows app marketers to measure the effectiveness of their ad campaigns without revealing individual user-level data. SKAN relies on aggregated and anonymized data to provide marketers with insights into the performance of their ad campaigns.

  • How SKAdNetwork Works:

When a user installs an app, the app sends a postback to the SKAdNetwork, notifying that an install has occurred as a result of a specific ad campaign. The ad network then receives attribution data in the form of a Conversion Value, which the app marketer can customize. This data is aggregated and reported back to the app marketer, providing insights into the effectiveness of their campaigns while maintaining user privacy.

  • SKAdNetwork Challenges:

Despite its privacy benefits, SKAdNetwork comes with its own set of challenges. The limited data granularity and delayed reporting can make it challenging to optimize ad campaigns in real-time. App marketers need to develop new strategies for ad targeting, measurement, and attribution to thrive in the SKAN ecosystem.

  • Adapting to the New App Marketing Landscape:

In the post-ATT and SKAN era, app marketers need to focus on building trust with users, delivering value through personalized experiences, and leveraging contextual targeting. Contextual advertising, which relies on the content and context of the app, can offer an alternative to personalized ads while respecting user privacy.


Apple's App Tracking Transparency and SKAdNetwork have fundamentally altered the app marketing landscape, emphasizing user privacy and consent. As an app marketer, understanding the implications of ATT and the opportunities and challenges presented by SKAN is crucial for adapting your app marketing strategies. By embracing privacy-centric approaches, contextual targeting, and optimizing for user engagement, app marketers can continue to drive app installs and achieve success in this new era of app marketing while respecting user privacy preferences. Staying informed about the latest developments and trends in app marketing and privacy will be key to thriving in the ever-evolving app ecosystem.


Seeking a new user acquisition channel for your game?

Unleash the potential of self-serve dashboard, providing a seamless avenue to expose your game to a broader audience. With its user-friendly interface, comprehensive targeting options, and complete budget control, self-serve dashboard serve as the ideal choice for expanding your game's reach.


Experience the power of the Gamelight UA platform, an AI-backed solution offering advanced targeting features such as age, gender, vertical, and competitor game targeting. This enables you to connect with the perfect users for your game. Sign up and launch your first campaign in just 5 minutes with the AI-powered Gamelight platform!


Click HERE to check the self-serve dashboard of the Gamelight advertising platform.


If you need help, fill in THIS FORM and one of our team members will get back to you within 24 hours.



Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page