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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Gaming in United Arab Emirates

See how your app install costs compare. Explore mobile acquisition cost benchmarks by industry, region, and platform

Cost Per App Install for Gaming in United Arab Emirates

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Key takeaways

  • Scope: This analysis looks at cost-per-app-install trends for industry Gaming and target country United Arab Emirates compared to the global trend; the analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.
  • Data availability: No monthly values are available for the selected Gaming segment in the United Arab Emirates during the period provided, so direct in-market statistics and a like-for-like comparison are not possible. Global baseline results are summarized as context.
  • Global benchmark level: The global median cost-per-app-install averaged 12.67 over Oct 2024–Sep 2025, ranging from a low of 6.20 (Oct 2024) to a high of 26.21 (Jun 2025).
  • Volatility: Baseline month-to-month movement was high, with an average absolute change of 6.50 per month (about 60.9% relative volatility). From the first to the last month, the global median rose by 271%.
  • Seasonality: A partial Q4 lift appeared (strong spike in November, moderation in December). The most pronounced surge occurred in June, with elevated levels returning late summer into September.

About the data and scope

  • Metric: cost-per-app-install (median by month)
  • Industry: Gaming
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • Period: Oct 2024–Sep 2025
  • Note: The selected segment contains no monthly observations in this window; the global baseline is shown for directional benchmarking.

Selected segment (Gaming, United Arab Emirates)

  • No monthly median values were provided for this segment in the time frame. As a result, averages, highs/lows, percent change, and volatility cannot be computed for the United Arab Emirates Gaming cohort in this period.

Global baseline benchmark (for context)

  • Average level: 12.67
  • High/low:
  • High: 26.21 in Jun 2025
  • Low: 6.20 in Oct 2024
  • Notable moves:
  • Nov 2024 spiked to 14.28 (+130% vs Oct), then Dec cooled to 8.52 (−40% vs Nov) yet stayed above October.
  • Jun 2025 marked the peak (26.21, +151% vs May), followed by a sharp correction in Jul (12.35, −53% vs Jun).
  • Late summer rose again: Aug at 15.00 and Sep at 22.99.
  • Volatility:
  • Average absolute month-to-month change: 6.50 (about 60.9% relative).
  • First-to-last month change: +271% (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

Comparison to the global trend

  • Relative positioning: Because no United Arab Emirates Gaming data points are available, we cannot determine whether this segment was above market, below average, or in line with overall trends during the period.
  • Use case: The global series offers a directional reference for typical ranges and variability when evaluating Gaming app-install costs across markets.

Seasonality and timing notes

  • The baseline shows a partial Q4 lift (notably November) consistent with the broader pattern that costs typically increase in Q4 around holiday periods, though December moderated versus November.
  • The most significant elevation occurred mid-year (June), with costs remaining comparatively elevated into late Q3/early Q4 (August–September).

Understanding cost-per-app-install benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Gaming and United Arab Emirates helps advertisers make more efficient budget and creative choices.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. In the Gaming industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. For campaigns targeting United Arab Emirates, advertisers should consider local market factors and user behavior. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

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The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

United Arab Emirates Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Mar 30–31Eid al-Fitr
Jun 6Arafat Day
Jun 7–9Eid al-Adha
Jul 7Islamic New Year
Sep 15Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Dec 1Commemoration Day
Dec 2–3UAE National Day

Key Shopping Season

Ramadan + Eid (Mar–Apr), End of November–December (UAE National Day, Christmas, New Year), Dubai Shopping Festival (mid-Dec through Jan)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPMs may rise sharply during Ramadan and Eid, especially in e‑commerce, gifting, F&B, and beauty sectors. UAE National Day campaigns could lead to high local bidding activity in travel, banking, and luxury retail. Dubai Shopping Festival drives elevated CPMs from mid-December to mid-January. Islamic holidays shift each year, affecting year-over-year comparisons.

What's a good CPI for iOS vs Android in 2025?

iOS CPIs often range from $2 to $5 or more. Android is usually cheaper, between $1 and $3. Your CPI will depend on geo, creative, and optimization goal.

Why is my app install cost higher in some countries?

Some regions like the US, UK, and Canada have higher competition and stricter privacy regulations, which drive up costs. Countries with lower purchasing power typically have cheaper CPIs.

What creatives drive the lowest CPI on Facebook?

Short videos showing app benefits, UGC-style content, and localized messaging tend to perform best. Clear CTAs and fast-paced visuals help lower your CPI.

Should I optimize for installs or in-app actions?

Optimizing for installs gets volume, but optimizing for actions like signups or purchases brings higher quality users. It depends on your goals and how much post-install behavior matters.

How do I lower CPI without tanking app retention or quality?

Align your creative with the app experience, avoid misleading ads, and exclude users who already installed. You can also test lookalike audiences based on high-quality users, not just all installers.