AdMob, Google Mobile Ad, switching from iAd, bannerView

Question

iOS 9.3, Xcode 7.3, ARC enabled.

I am migrating away from iAd, and I have some general questions regarding best design patterns and how to properly use the Google Mobile Ads framework for banner style ads.

1. How do you control presentation on ad load and load failure?

   My typical approach is to start with the banner view hidden, detect when the ad is loaded, then either animate the banner view in from the top or bottom, or fade in from a stand-in image.

   I noticed that GADBannerView class, does not have some of the more convenient properties of an iAd banner, such as isLoaded.

   a) Right now I take advantage of the two methods - (void)adViewDidReceiveAd:(GADBannerView *)bannerView and - (void)adView:(GADBannerView *)bannerView didFailToReceiveAdWithError:(GADRequestError *)error, set an instance variable bool for the view controller when either method gets a message, then use that variable for any additional UI changes else where. Is this a good design practice?

   b) "deleted", animation works.

   c) When the ad fails to load, what happens to the banner view? I notice that its alpha property is still 1.0 and that it is not hidden. In a production environment when an AdMob ad fails to load, is the banner clear? Or does it have a generic stand-in image? In other words, am I going to have to slide in an image to balance the view without the banner view there?

2. I've read from the basic AdMob tutorial that it doesn't really matter where the banner is, it can be in multiple view controllers, the framework will manage how these multiple banners will be filled. Could someone confirm this behavior? Say, I have two view controllers and I have two different banner views, I don't have to manage the ads? All I have to do is provide the banner view real estate?

3. Generally speaking, if I used to have iAd for ads and also in-app. purchases through iTunes, then what is the modern day trend? Am I supposed to have ads through AdMob and keep in-app. purchases as they are through Apple? Is that what people are doing now?

Thanks in advance for your answers. I know this maybe too general, but I really want some sort of a fundamental understanding where to head, before I submit anything to Apple.

--

Here is the code for animation I am using:

- (void)adViewDidReceiveAd:(GADBannerView *)bannerView
{
    bannerDidLoad = true;

    [UIView animateWithDuration:1.0 animations:^{

        bannerView.alpha = 1.0;
        bannerView.frame = CGRectMake(bannerView.frame.origin.x, bannerView.frame.size.height, bannerView.frame.size.width, bannerView.frame.size.height);

    } completion:^(BOOL finished) {

        nil;

    }];
}

Answer 1

You should really narrow your question down. It's kind of vague. Anyways, yes GADBannerView's will be clear if they fail to receive an ad. Using the delegate methods to know what state the GADBannerView is in is the standard. Animating the alpha property should not be an issue. Not really sure what that last question is asking. You can use any ad network you'd like. If you're using in app purchases already just continue using them and remove the GADBannerView instead of the ADBannerView.