Syeda Khadeer Sultana

App Monetization Trends: What to Expect in the Near Future (2021)

State of Digital Publishing is creating a new publication and community for digital media and publishing professionals, in new media and technology.

We’re here to help industry members grow their audiences and forge successful media models together as peers.

We provide the resources, perspectives, collaboration, and news you need – so you get time back to work on what really matters.

Subscribe to receive a recap of our top stories in digital media & publishing content.

@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio:2),(min-resolution:192dpi){}:root .has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:#f78da7;}:root .has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:#cf2e2e;}:root .has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:#ff6900;}:root .has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:#fcb900;}:root .has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:#7bdcb5;}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:#00d084;}:root .has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:#8ed1fc;}:root .has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:#0693e3;}:root .has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:#9b51e0;}:root .has-white-background-color{background-color:#fff;}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee;}:root .has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:#abb8c3;}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131;}:root .has-black-background-color{background-color:#000;}:root .has-pale-pink-color{color:#f78da7;}:root .has-vivid-red-color{color:#cf2e2e;}:root .has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:#ff6900;}:root .has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:#fcb900;}:root .has-light-green-cyan-color{color:#7bdcb5;}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:#00d084;}:root .has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:#8ed1fc;}:root .has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:#0693e3;}:root .has-vivid-purple-color{color:#9b51e0;}:root .has-white-color{color:#fff;}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee;}:root .has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:#abb8c3;}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131;}:root .has-black-color{color:#000;}:root .has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3,#9b51e0);}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3);}:root .has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4,#00d082);}:root .has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900,#ff6900);}:root .has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900,#cf2e2e);}:root .has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee,#a9b8c3);}:root .has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c);}:root .has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec,#9896f0);}:root .has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e);}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe);}:root .has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0);}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec);}:root .has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5);}:root .has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880,#71ce7e);}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671);}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59);}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf);}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc);}.has-small-font-size{font-size:.8125em;}.has-normal-font-size,.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:1.25em;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:2.25em;}.has-huge-font-size,.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em;}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center;}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left;}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right;}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none;}.aligncenter{clear:both;}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start;}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center;}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end;}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between;}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal !important;}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip:auto !important;-webkit-clip-path:none;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-item-list .ld-item-list-item.ld-is-next,.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_questionListItem label:focus-within{border-color:#692b62;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-breadcrumbs a,.learndash-wrapper .ld-lesson-item.ld-is-current-lesson .ld-lesson-item-preview-heading,.learndash-wrapper .ld-lesson-item.ld-is-current-lesson .ld-lesson-title,.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-color-hover:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-color,.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-color-hover:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-color,.learndash-wrapper .ld-tabs .ld-tabs-navigation .ld-tab.ld-active,.learndash-wrapper .ld-button.ld-button-transparent,.learndash-wrapper .ld-button.ld-button-reverse,.learndash-wrapper .ld-icon-certificate,.learndash-wrapper .ld-login-modal .ld-login-modal-login .ld-modal-heading,#wpProQuiz_user_content a,.learndash-wrapper .ld-item-list .ld-item-list-item a.ld-item-name:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comments__heading-actions .ld-expand-button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comments__heading a,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comments .comment-respond a,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment .ld-comment-reply a.comment-reply-link:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-expand-button.ld-button-alternate{color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment.bypostauthor>.ld-comment-wrapper,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment.role-group_leader>.ld-comment-wrapper,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment.role-administrator>.ld-comment-wrapper{background-color:rgba(105,43,98,.03) !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-background,.learndash-wrapper .ld-tabs .ld-tabs-navigation .ld-tab.ld-active:after{background:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-course-navigation .ld-lesson-item.ld-is-current-lesson .ld-status-incomplete,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment.bypostauthor:not(.ptype-sfwd-assignment) >.ld-comment-wrapper>.ld-comment-avatar img,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment.role-group_leader>.ld-comment-wrapper>.ld-comment-avatar img,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comment.role-administrator>.ld-comment-wrapper>.ld-comment-avatar img{border-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-loading::before{border-top:3px solid #692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-button:hover:not(.learndash-link-previous-incomplete):not(.ld-button-transparent),#learndash-tooltips .ld-tooltip:after,#learndash-tooltips .ld-tooltip,.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-background,.learndash-wrapper .btn-join,.learndash-wrapper #btn-join,.learndash-wrapper .ld-button:not(.ld-button-reverse):not(.learndash-link-previous-incomplete):not(.ld-button-transparent),.learndash-wrapper .ld-expand-button,.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_button:not(.wpProQuiz_button_reShowQuestion):not(.wpProQuiz_button_restartQuiz),.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_button2,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-sidebar .ld-course-navigation-heading,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-sidebar .ld-focus-sidebar-trigger,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-comments .form-submit #submit,.learndash-wrapper .ld-login-modal input[type='submit'],.learndash-wrapper .ld-login-modal .ld-login-modal-register,.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_certificate a.btn-blue,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header .ld-user-menu .ld-user-menu-items a,#wpProQuiz_user_content table.wp-list-table thead th,#wpProQuiz_overlay_close,.learndash-wrapper .ld-expand-button.ld-button-alternate .ld-icon{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header .ld-user-menu .ld-user-menu-items:before{border-bottom-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-button.ld-button-transparent:hover{background:transparent !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header .sfwd-mark-complete .learndash_mark_complete_button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header #sfwd-mark-complete #learndash_mark_complete_button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-button.ld-button-transparent,.learndash-wrapper .ld-button.ld-button-alternate,.learndash-wrapper .ld-expand-button.ld-button-alternate{background-color:transparent !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus-header .ld-user-menu .ld-user-menu-items a,.learndash-wrapper .ld-button.ld-button-reverse:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-success .ld-alert-icon.ld-icon-certificate,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-warning .ld-button:not(.learndash-link-previous-incomplete),.learndash-wrapper .ld-primary-background.ld-status{color:white !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-status.ld-status-unlocked{background-color:rgba(105,43,98,.2) !important;color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_addToplist{background-color:rgba(105,43,98,.1) !important;border:1px solid #692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_toplistTable th{background:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_toplistTrOdd{background-color:rgba(105,43,98,.1) !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_reviewDiv li.wpProQuiz_reviewQuestionTarget{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_time_limit .wpProQuiz_progress{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper #quiz_continue_link,.learndash-wrapper .ld-secondary-background,.learndash-wrapper .learndash_mark_complete_button,.learndash-wrapper #learndash_mark_complete_button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-status-complete,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-success .ld-button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-success .ld-alert-icon{background-color:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content a#quiz_continue_link{background-color:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .course_progress .sending_progress_bar{background:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_button_reShowQuestion:hover,.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_button_restartQuiz:hover{background-color:#3cbbb1 !important;opacity:.75;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-secondary-color-hover:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-secondary-color,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header .sfwd-mark-complete .learndash_mark_complete_button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header #sfwd-mark-complete #learndash_mark_complete_button,.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header .sfwd-mark-complete:after{color:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-secondary-in-progress-icon{border-left-color:#3cbbb1 !important;border-top-color:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-success{border-color:#3cbbb1;background-color:transparent !important;color:#3cbbb1;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_reviewQuestion li.wpProQuiz_reviewQuestionSolved,.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_box li.wpProQuiz_reviewQuestionSolved{background-color:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_reviewLegend span.wpProQuiz_reviewColor_Answer{background-color:#3cbbb1 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-warning{background-color:transparent;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-status-waiting,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-warning .ld-alert-icon{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-tertiary-color-hover:hover,.learndash-wrapper .ld-tertiary-color,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-warning{color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-tertiary-background{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-warning{border-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-tertiary-background,.learndash-wrapper .ld-alert-warning .ld-alert-icon{color:white !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_reviewQuestion li.wpProQuiz_reviewQuestionReview,.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_box li.wpProQuiz_reviewQuestionReview{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .wpProQuiz_content .wpProQuiz_reviewLegend span.wpProQuiz_reviewColor_Review{background-color:#692b62 !important;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-main .ld-focus-content{max-width:inherit;}#clickok:active #elementor-popup-modal-10501{display:none;}@-webkit-keyframes bgslide{from{background-position-x:0;}to{background-position-x:-200%;}}@keyframes bgslide{from{background-position-x:0;}to{background-position-x:-200%;}}.wpp-widget-placeholder,.wpp-widget-block-placeholder{margin:0 auto;width:60px;height:3px;background:#dd3737;background:linear-gradient(90deg,#dd3737 0%,#571313 10%,#dd3737 100%);background-size:200% auto;border-radius:3px;-webkit-animation:bgslide 1s infinite linear;animation:bgslide 1s infinite linear;}.author-checked:hover + .author-box-1{display:block;}.author-edited:hover + .author-box-2{display:block;}.author-box-1:hover{display:block;}.author-box-2:hover{display:block;}@media only screen and (min-width: 768px){.cb-entry-content a:hover{text-decoration:none !important;}}.widget_bibblio_recent_posts p{border-bottom:5px solid #161616;display:inline-block;color:#161616;font-size:24px;text-transform:uppercase;padding-bottom:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;margin-bottom:40px;}.bibblio-branding{clear:both;color:#a4a4a4;font-size:small;text-align:center;margin:30px 0 2em;border-top:1px dotted #ccc;line-height:1.3;}.bibblio-branding span{padding:0 15px;display:inline-block;position:relative;top:-17px;background-color:#fff;line-height:1;}.bibblio-branding span a img{vertical-align:bottom;margin-top:5px;margin-left:4px;width:60px;}.vc_grid-container.vc_basic_grid .vc_grid-filter-dropdown.vc_grid-filter-left .vc_grid-styled-select{height:auto;}.vc_grid-container.vc_basic_grid .vc_grid-filter-dropdown.vc_grid-filter-left select{height:auto;padding:10px;font-size:20px;}.vc_grid-container.vc_basic_grid .vc_grid-filter-dropdown.vc_grid-filter-left i.vc_arrow-icon-navicon{display:inline-block;margin-bottom:10px;color:#000;}.member-content-tag-grid .svc_filter_main_div div:nth-child(3){display:none !important;}.member-content-tag-grid .svc_filter_main_div div:nth-child(2) select{width:60%;}#cb-nav-bar .cb-main-nav #cb-nav-logo,#cb-nav-bar .cb-main-nav #cb-nav-logo img{width:110px;}#cb-nav-bar .cb-main-nav #cb-nav-logo{visibility:visible;filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Alpha(enabled=false);opacity:1;-moz-transform:translate3d(0,0,0);-ms-transform:translate3d(0,0,0);-webkit-transform:translate3d(0,0,0);transform:translate3d(0,0,0);margin:0 20px 0 12px;}#cb-nav-bar .cb-mega-menu-columns .cb-sub-menu > li > a{color:#f2c231;}.cb-meta-style-1 .cb-article-meta{background:rgba(0,0,0,.25);}@media only screen and (min-width: 768px){.cb-module-block .cb-meta-style-1:hover .cb-article-meta{background:rgba(0,0,0,.75);}.cb-module-block .cb-meta-style-2:hover img,.cb-module-block .cb-meta-style-4:hover img,.cb-grid-x .cb-grid-feature:hover img,.cb-grid-x .cb-grid-feature:hover .cb-fi-cover,.cb-slider li:hover img{opacity:.25;}}@media only screen and (min-width: 1020px){}#respond,.cb-font-body{font-family:"Lora","Serif";}h4,h5,h6,#bbp-user-navigation,.cb-byline{font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";}.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-registration-form{clear:both;display:block;position:static;width:auto;}.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-registration-form input{float:none;width:auto;position:static;margin:0 6px 0 0;padding:0;vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block !important;max-width:21px;-webkit-appearance:checkbox;}.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-registration-form label{float:none;display:block;cursor:pointer;width:auto;position:static;margin:0 0 16px 0;}.cb-itemprop a{color:#3cbbb1;}#breadcrumbs{margin-bottom:30px;}.wpsm_panel{border-radius:50px !important;box-shadow:0px 0px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.17) !important;margin:10px !important;}ol{list-style-position:outside !important;padding-left:20px !important;}.author-box{border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px 15px;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:1px 11px 25px -6px rgba(0,0,0,100%);position:absolute;z-index:9999;background:#fff;width:347px;margin-top:10px;}.avatar-layout{height:90px;width:90px;border-radius:50%;overflow:hidden;display:inline-block;}.author-box-name{display:inline-block;width:fit-content;vertical-align:top;margin-top:34px;margin-left:11px;font-size:16px;}.author-box-bio{font-size:14px;border-top:1px solid #e9e9e9;padding-top:10px;font-weight:normal;}.author-box{display:none;top:24px;}.author-box-bio a{text-decoration:revert;}.author-name{text-decoration:underline !important;font-size:14px;text-transform:uppercase;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1px;color:#161616;}.frhd--auth-right h5 a{text-decoration:none !important;font-size:16px !important;}.frhd--auth-inner p{text-transform:none !important;color:#161616;font-family:"Roboto",Sans-serif;font-weight:normal;}.frhd--auth-inner p a{font-size:14px !important;color:#444 !important;text-transform:none !important;font-family:"Roboto",Sans-serif !important;font-weight:normal !important;}#frhd--auth-wrap{border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px 15px;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:1px 11px 25px -6px rgba(0,0,0,100%);position:absolute;z-index:9999;background:#fff;width:347px !important;margin-top:10px;}.fa-check-square{color:#682d63;font-size:20px;margin-left:20px;}.fa-pencil-square{color:#682d63;font-size:20px;margin-left:20px;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-focus .ld-focus-header .ld-user-menu{flex:0 0 300px;}.learndash-wrapper .ld-course-navigation .ld-status-icon .ld-icon-checkmark{font-size:8px;}.wpsm_panel{border-radius:50px !important;box-shadow:0px 0px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.17) !important;margin:10px !important;}ol{list-style-position:outside !important;padding-left:20px;}.ld-tab-content ul{list-style-type:unset !important;}#yikes-easy-mc-form-1-EMAIL::placeholder{color:#555;font-size:14px;padding-left:10px;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon,#linguise_popup li span.linguise_flags{width:15px;height:15px;}.linguise_lang_name{color:#fff !important;}.linguise_lang_name:hover{color:#fff !important;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon{box-shadow:0px 0px 0px 0px #bfbfbf;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon:hover{box-shadow:0px 0px 0px 0px #bfbfbf;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon,#linguise_popup li span.linguise_flags{width:15px;height:15px;}.linguise_lang_name{color:#fff !important;}.linguise_lang_name:hover{color:#fff !important;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon{box-shadow:0px 0px 0px 0px #bfbfbf;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon:hover{box-shadow:0px 0px 0px 0px #bfbfbf;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon,#linguise_popup li span.linguise_flags{width:15px;height:15px;}.linguise_lang_name{color:#fff !important;}.linguise_lang_name:hover{color:#fff !important;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon{box-shadow:0px 0px 0px 0px #bfbfbf;}.linguise_switcher span.linguise_language_icon:hover{box-shadow:0px 0px 0px 0px #bfbfbf;}