Unity Ad Monetization Guide using Unity LevelPlay: SDK Setup & Integration (Part 1)
In modern mobile game engineering, relying on a single ad network is no longer viable. Unity LevelPlay (formerly ironSource Mediation) is the industry-standard ad mediation platform used by top studios to run real-time bidding auctions across Google AdMob, AppLovin, Meta Audience Network, Mintegral, and Unity Ads.
Welcome to Part 1 of our 3-Part Unity LevelPlay Ad Monetization Masterclass:
- Part 1: SDK Setup, LevelPlay Architecture & Interstitial/Banner Integration (This Guide)
- Part 2: Rewarded Video Ads, S2S Reward Validation & Network Mediation Setup →
- Part 3: eCPM Optimization, A/B Testing, LiveOps & ARPDAU Maximization →
In this first installment, we walk through installing the Unity LevelPlay SDK (com.unity.levelplay), initializing the SDK with your App Key, and writing production-ready C# code for Banner and Interstitial ad placements.
1. Why Choose Unity LevelPlay (ironSource)?
LevelPlay aggregates multiple ad networks into a single unified bidding auction. When a player reaches an ad placement, LevelPlay queries all demand sources simultaneously, serving the ad with the highest real-time eCPM bid.
| Monetization Approach | Fill Rate Tier 1 (US/UK) | Fill Rate Tier 3 (IN/BR) | Average eCPM Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Ad Network (e.g. Unity Ads) | 75% – 85% | 60% – 70% | Baseline ($1.00x) |
| Unity LevelPlay Hybrid Mediation | 98% – 99.5% | 95% – 98% | 1.35x – 1.80x Higher Yield |
2. Setting Up the Unity LevelPlay SDK
[!IMPORTANT] LevelPlay requires registering your app on the ironSource / LevelPlay Dashboard to generate your unique 8 to 12-character App Key for iOS and Android.
1. SDK Package Installation
Install the Unity LevelPlay SDK via the Unity Package Manager (com.unity.levelplay) or by importing the official .unitypackage from the Unity Asset Store / LevelPlay developer portal.
2. Android & iOS Manifest Requirements
- iOS: Add
SKAdNetworkIDs to yourInfo.plist(handled automatically by the LevelPlay iOS Post-Build Processor). - Android: Ensure
mainTemplate.gradlespecifies Google Play Services Ads dependency:
3. Production C# LevelPlay Manager (Part 1: Setup & Interstitials)
Implement a robust singleton manager to initialize LevelPlay and handle Interstitial ad events cleanly.
4. Part 1 Summary & Next Steps
In this first guide, we successfully integrated the Unity LevelPlay SDK and built a C# manager capable of preloading Interstitial ads and managing Banner display states.
[!TIP] Ready to unlock high-eCPM Rewarded Videos? Continue to Part 2!
👉 Continue to Part 2: Rewarded Video Ads, S2S Validation & Network Mediation Setup →
💡 Looking for a Custom Ad Monetization & LiveOps Strategy?
Struggling with low eCPMs, fill rates, or ad retention drops? I work directly with mobile game studios to architect high-yield ad waterfalls, IAP pricing, and LiveOps strategies:
- High-eCPM Waterfall Architecture: Real-time bidding setup across AdMob, AppLovin, and LevelPlay.
- Segmented Monetization: Tailored ad frequency caps for non-payers vs VIP players.
- LiveOps & Retention Tuning: Balancing ad frequency to keep D30 retention strong.
👉 Book a Game Monetization & LiveOps Strategy Session or reach out directly to discuss your game's revenue goals.
🎮 Shipped Mobile Games & Official Store Profiles
Explore live commercial titles built with Unity and published across official app stores:
Featured Live Titles:
- Pet Hero: Animal Hospital — App Store | Google Play
- Restaurant RUSH: Idle Tycoon — App Store | Google Play
- Bird Sort Mania — Google Play | Read AI Dev Breakdown
Planning to launch a mobile game or optimize your engineering budget? Check out our 2026 Mobile Game Development Cost Guide or book an engineering consultation.
Looking to build a production-ready game?
See how I built Bird Sort Mania in 20 days using AI, or check out my full Mobile Games Portfolio to see my shipped titles on Android and iOS.
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