Today is the perfect time to dive into a proven, classic case study! Our trusted partners, TrafficShark, have mastered the art of iOS utility monetization using a powerful combination of Social Bar and Popunder traffic from Adsterra. The results? Consistently high performance and impressive ROI.

Check out the full breakdown below and see why this strategy is a must-try for affiliate marketers!

Pro Tip from TrafficShark:

If you're new to Adsterra traffic or looking for a high-converting vertical, Utilities should be your go-to choice. They consistently deliver strong results, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced marketers.

TrafficShark’s affiliate program offers a wide selection of CPI-based utility offers, including VPN services, cleaners, antiviruses, and APK files.

Campaign Breakdown:

• Conversion Type: CPI
• Vertical: Utility (VPN)
• Device Targeting: iPhone only
• OS Type: iOS
• Creative Restrictions: No aggressive creatives
• Traffic Source: Adsterra
• Offer: InfinityVPN
• Campaign Duration: 02.06.23 – 24.06.23
• Ad Formats: Popunder, Social Bar

Performance Metrics:

• Total Spend: $52,785
• Total Revenue: $92,043
• Net Profit: $39,258
• ROI: 57.34%

Winning Strategy

✅ Phase 1: Offer Testing with Popunder Traffic
To kick off the campaign, TrafficShark tested the offer using Popunder traffic, a format known for its effectiveness with utility offers. The initial testing phase lasted 2 days, during which the performance was carefully monitored.

✅ Phase 2: Scaling with Social Bar
Once the Popunder test showed promising results, the campaign was scaled by adding Social Bar ads. This format is highly customizable and has been proven to perform well across multiple verticals.


🚀 Key Takeaways:

• Social Bar's flexibility allowed for creative variations and A/B testing.
• Simple, non-intrusive creatives performed best, ensuring a smooth user experience.
• The built-in Adsterra creative constructor was used to create Social Bar ads directly on the platform.

✅ Optimizing Prelanders for Higher Conversions

TrafficShark collaborated with Adsterra's support team to fine-tune their pre-landers. After testing different versions, the best results came from:

• Classic "video upload" pre-landers, leading directly to the app installation.
• Situational creatives related to sports, effectively driving engagement.

Top GEOs & Landing Pages Performance
The campaign targeted high-value GEOs, with conversion rates distributed as follows:

• US – 81%
• UK – 11%
• AU – 5%
• CA – 3%

The strong dominance of the US market (81%) highlights the high demand for VPN services in this region.

Creatives & Prelanders

Optimization & Post-Launch Adjustments: Maximizing Performance
The entire process was smooth and data-driven, with optimization based on analytics to ensure maximum efficiency.

Key Optimization Steps:

✅ Active Source Monitoring & Blacklisting

• Given the nature of the offer, sources had to be monitored more frequently than usual.
• Non-performing placements were actively blacklisted, an essential part of working with utility offers.
• Some blacklisted sources were later retested and reinstated based on Apphud payback data, ensuring we didn’t miss out on potential converting traffic.

✅ Best-Performing Placements Selection

• After analyzing the test launch data, placements with strong performance were identified and prioritized.

✅ Strong Conversion Funnel on the Advertiser’s Side

• The advertiser had a well-optimized conversion funnel, helping achieve a high CR (conversion rate).
• This, combined with regular optimization, pre-lander testing, and campaign refinements, resulted in outstanding performance.

Expert Tips for Launching Similar Campaigns

📌 Ensure a Seamless App Experience

• Make sure the app runs smoothly—no server crashes, no VPN disconnections in minutes, and all bugs fixed before scaling.
• A bug-free app ensures higher CR and user retention, improving overall campaign efficiency.

📌 Set a Competitive Payout

• Start with a high eCPM during the test phase to gain traction and have room for scaling.

📌 Use Pre-Landers with App Store Links

• Many direct advertisers include App Store download links on pre-landers, boosting app monetization and CR.
• This enhances eCPM, helping attract more traffic at better rates.

Post-Optimization Results & Final Performance Breakdown

Adsterra Buying Statistics & Campaign Lifecycle

By the end of the campaign, performance showed signs of decline, indicating that the bundle had reached its peak—a natural cycle for any marketing strategy. However, one thing remains constant: Utility traffic in Adsterra continues to deliver top-tier results!

Key Takeaways: What This Case Proves

✅ Success Doesn’t Always Require Reinventing the Wheel

• Instead of constantly chasing new trends, proven strategies and well-known combinations often generate the best results.
• Leveraging reliable ad formats like Popunder and Social Bar can still yield strong ROI when executed properly.

✅ Prioritize Quality in Every Step

• Ensure that the final product (app) runs smoothly—technical issues can kill conversions.
• Choose high-quality traffic sources—networks like Adsterra provide targeted, scalable, and effective solutions.
• Keep creatives simple yet effective, avoiding information overload to maximize user engagement.

🚀 Bottom Line: Sometimes, the simplest strategies are the most effective. With the right approach, your most successful campaign is just around the corner!