Google AdMob Setup Guide

Overview

AdMob provides banner, interstitial, and rewarded video ads for free users.

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Step 1: Create AdMob Account

1. Go to https://admob.google.com
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Accept terms and conditions
4. Complete account setup

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Step 2: Create Apps in AdMob

iOS App

1. Click "Apps" → "Add App"
2. Platform: iOS
3. "Is the app listed on a supported app store?": Yes (after published) or No (during development)
4. App Name: Civix
5. Save and note the App ID: ca-app-pub-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX~YYYYYYYYYY

Android App

1. Click "Apps" → "Add App"
2. Platform: Android
3. App Name: Civix
4. Save and note the App ID

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Step 3: Create Ad Units

For each platform (iOS and Android), create these ad units:

Banner Ad

1. In your app, click "Ad Units" → "Add Ad Unit"
2. Select "Banner"
3. Name: civix_banner
4. Save and note the Ad Unit ID

Interstitial Ad

1. Select "Interstitial"
2. Name: civix_interstitial
3. Save and note the Ad Unit ID

Rewarded Ad

1. Select "Rewarded"
2. Name: civix_rewarded
3. Reward settings:
   • Reward amount: 1
   • Reward item: bonus_quiz
4. Save and note the Ad Unit ID

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Step 4: Update App Configuration

Update app.json

Replace the placeholder IDs:

{
  "expo": {
    "plugins": [
      [
        "react-native-google-mobile-ads",
        {
          "androidAppId": "ca-app-pub-XXXXXXXX~YYYYYYYY",
          "iosAppId": "ca-app-pub-XXXXXXXX~YYYYYYYY"
        }
      ]
    ]
  }
}

Update lib/ads.ts

export const AD_UNIT_IDS = {
  ios: {
    banner: "ca-app-pub-XXXXX/XXXXX",      // Your iOS banner ID
    interstitial: "ca-app-pub-XXXXX/XXXXX", // Your iOS interstitial ID
    rewarded: "ca-app-pub-XXXXX/XXXXX",     // Your iOS rewarded ID
  },
  android: {
    banner: "ca-app-pub-XXXXX/XXXXX",      // Your Android banner ID
    interstitial: "ca-app-pub-XXXXX/XXXXX", // Your Android interstitial ID
    rewarded: "ca-app-pub-XXXXX/XXXXX",     // Your Android rewarded ID
  },
};

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Step 5: App-ads.txt (Required for Production)

After your app is published, add app-ads.txt to your website:

1. Create a website or use your app's landing page
2. Add file at: https://yourwebsite.com/app-ads.txt
3. Content:

google.com, pub-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

(Replace with your publisher ID from AdMob)

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Step 6: Ad Policies

Content Guidelines

• No incentivizing ad clicks
• No placing ads that interfere with app functionality
• No showing ads during gameplay interruptions without user consent
• Rewarded ads must give actual rewards

Placement Best Practices

• Banner: Bottom of home screen (non-intrusive)
• Interstitial: After quiz completion (natural break point)
• Rewarded: User-initiated "Watch ad for bonus quiz"

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Step 7: Testing

Test Mode (Development)

The app uses test ad unit IDs in __DEV__ mode automatically:

• Banner: ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/2934735716
• Interstitial: ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/4411468910
• Rewarded: ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/1712485313

Production Testing

1. Add your device as a test device in AdMob
2. Or use AdMob's built-in mediation test suite
3. Never click your own production ads!

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Ad Frequency Settings

Current settings in lib/ads.ts:

export const AD_CONFIG = {
  interstitialFrequency: 3, // Show after every 3 quizzes
  bannerRefreshRate: 60,    // Refresh banner every 60 seconds
};

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Checklist

• AdMob account created
• iOS app created in AdMob
• Android app created in AdMob
• Banner ad unit created (iOS + Android)
• Interstitial ad unit created (iOS + Android)
• Rewarded ad unit created (iOS + Android)
• app.json updated with App IDs
• lib/ads.ts updated with Ad Unit IDs
• Test ads working in development
• app-ads.txt prepared for production