Imagine stumbling upon an idea so powerful that it turns into a money-making machine within just five months. That’s exactly what happened to a software engineer from Egypt and his team. They didn’t reinvent the wheel—they simply saw what everyone else missed. In a world obsessed with social media, they created an app to enhance users’ Instagram experience.
So, how did this “simple” invention rake in over $57K in just five months? Together with his team, our publisher created an application, which became very popular in a short while. The team was not hesitating for too long – they started monetizing the website, where this application was available for download with Monetag.
Of course, it wasn’t some overnight magic trick; it was a well-oiled strategy, combining sharp insights and our robust monetization tools. This case study explores this exciting journey, sharing insights for anyone ready to follow in their footsteps.
So, as we said, our partner monetizes a website with Monetag. Users go to his website to download his original app. Thus, the app was distributed via the publisher’s website, so he could earn from it, still keeping it free and with no ads. Also, the app is compliant with applicable requirements and policies of Instagram.
You may wonder how this publisher came up with the brilliant concept of his product. In an interview with us, he shared his approach:
“I am currently working within a team as part of a company specializing in application development and web programming. You could consider us as a company that provides integrated digital solutions; however, instead of offering them to clients, we focus on our own projects…”
Instagram definitely is one of the most demanded applications in the world. To make the user experience even better, our publisher and his team developed a range of simple features. Consequently, they created an app that offers users additional opportunities without needing third-party downloads.
This app offers a fresh, seamless experience for Instagram users. It’s packed with unique features to streamline interactions. Available for Android 9.0 and above, this app is free and is regularly updated to improve its functionality.
Some of its features include:
These are just a few of them, with many more to enjoy. The publisher explained further and described their website, where users can get the application:
“The content of the website (available in 18 languages) mainly revolves around the application, where we explain to users what the app is, its features, and how to benefit from it, etc. From time to time, we also publish articles related to the application that explains the app, provide solutions to specific issues, highlight new features, etc.”
This vision took six months, a $15,000 budget, and a skilled team with expertise in Android development, server management, web programming, and SEO. Initially, the team relied on paid ads, but once they hit 1,000 users, they focused on two important drivers: top-notch user experience and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
This strategy earned users’ trust and ignited a wildfire of word-of-mouth growth. Just six months in, the app was hosting 100,000 monthly visitors. Before long, that number surged into the millions.
At the launch of the website, there was no competition. However, as the app’s popularity soared, new competitors emerged, with some even claiming to be the official app. The publisher shared how this shift was challenging:
“Several websites entered the competition, which was somewhat exhausting at times. However, we maintained our top rank, thanks to the good user experience, continuous SEO efforts, and thorough analysis of user behavior.”
Their secret to staying ahead was embedded in continuous optimization. By understanding what users want and improving their experience, the publisher could keep the app and site relevant despite the increased competition.
Website monetization can be a significant hurdle in web and mobile app development. However, this publisher had a secret sauce: his team chose Onclick (Popunder) ads on just two pages dedicated to download—simple yet strategic.
Rather than relying on in-app ads, he monetized the site that hosts the app download links. Thus, users can enjoy an ad-free experience in the app, while the website is also not too overloaded with pop-ups.
“I currently use one type of ad, which is a pop-up ad on two pages dedicated to downloads. It is designed to be user-friendly, so each user sees only two pop-up ads with a 15-second interval between them”, he explained.
Indeed, it’s a setup designed to be practical yet user-friendly.
After experimenting with several monetization platforms, he made a game-changing switch to Monetag, thanks to a friend’s recommendation. The biggest draw? Monetag’s high ad quality. He explained:
“I started using pop-up ad networks after reaching around 25,000 daily users and have experimented with various networks since then…. There can be manipulation of statistics, ad types, intensity, and display methods. But that doesn’t happen with me in my experience with Monetag.”
Unlike networks that push aggressive or inappropriate ads, Monetag delivers clean, relevant content.
“Monetag doesn’t display ads with nudity, sexual content, or harmful material, which is extremely important to me,” he shared.
Monetization period: 22/05/2024 – 22/10/2024
(on the screenshot below you can see the overall tendency)
The publisher’s revenue from Monetag has been substantial, with daily earnings reflecting high Cost Per Mille (CPMs) across various GEOs. A glimpse of his stats reveals a diverse range of traffic sources from countries all over the world. And this is exactly the reason why our publisher translated his website into 18 different languages.
India has the highest number of impressions, reaching over 3 million, with a CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions) of $4.75. This translates into a profit of $14,467.36, showing the potential of high-volume markets even with moderate CPM rates.
Algeria comes second with 688,465 impressions and a CPM of $5.63, generating $3,852.45 in profit.
Morocco generates around 494,454 impressions at a CPM of $3.82, resulting in a profit of $1,891.26. Although its CPM is lower, the GEO’s high engagement provided steady earnings that contributed to overall profitability.
Egypt produced 409,091 impressions with a CPM of $4.06, leading to $1,642.69 in profit. Essentially, this wide-reaching audience allowed him to scale his earnings significantly, with Monetag enabling steady returns without compromising user experience.
This publisher also recorded impressive results with the ads they used. To effectively capture the right traffic from different GEOs, he leveraged Popunder (Onclick).
The above result shows that the Popunder ads helped boost his monetization across these GEOs.
Beyond the earnings, he attributes much of his satisfaction with Monetag to his account manager. He expressed gratitude for the personalized support that’s helped him optimize his monetization strategy.
“I can honestly say that my account manager is a major reason I continue to work with Monetag.”
Encouraged by the success of this project, the team has ambitious plans for the future. They aim to launch five new websites by the end of the year, each targeting at least 10,000 daily visitors. This strategy reflects their long-term commitment to growth and innovation in the digital space.
Inspired by this entrepreneur’s journey? Here are some golden nuggets of wisdom from the team behind this resounding success.
This first tip is clear! The publisher’s app’s growth was no fluke; it came from a commitment to building a high-quality, user-centric product.
“We have worked on providing a high-quality product and continuously improving it through regular updates, which has built trust among our app users.”
As such, every aspect of your platform, from responsiveness to intuitive design, should focus on delivering an excellent user experience.
The team knew they needed to stand out in a competitive space, and visibility was key. Consequently, they focused on SEO from the get-go, ensuring their site was structured for maximum discoverability. The publisher further noted that even small details like fonts, colors, and layout matter.
Their approach to monetization was equally thoughtful. The use of Monetag’s popunder ads was intentional, prioritizing user satisfaction with strategic, non-intrusive placements and frequency.
“Put yourself in the user’s shoes and test the pages to see if their ad experience is bothersome or satisfactory.”
This means testing every ad placement to ensure a smooth experience that doesn’t disrupt the user journey.
Finally, rely on data and find trustworthy partners like Monetag, whose commitment to quality and transparency aligns with your business values.
These lessons are powerful reminders that quality, strategy, and user-centered decisions are key to sustainable success. Our publisher concluded with this statement:
“There is no secret formula—just do it the right way.”
Look at that! This publisher’s success journey shows just how far you can go with the right mix of quality, smart SEO, and thoughtful monetization strategy. By teaming up with Monetag, they transformed their download site into a revenue powerhouse while keeping users happy. Interestingly, they’re just getting started!
This story is an absolute blueprint for anyone aiming to scale up with a user-first approach and long-term growth in mind. If you want to replicate their success, this case study proves it can be done sustainably and with real impact. So, partner with us and explore our ad options to find out the best fit for your campaigns.