> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.linkrunner.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Google Ads SKAN Setup

> Set up SKAdNetwork attribution for Google Ads iOS App Campaigns with Linkrunner

SKAdNetwork (SKAN) is Apple's privacy-preserving framework for iOS attribution. Google Ads uses SKAN postbacks to measure and optimize iOS App Campaigns. This guide walks you through the complete Google Ads SKAN setup with Linkrunner.

Track your progress with the **Google Ads SKAN Integration Checklist**: [Settings → Integrations → Google Ads → SKAN Integration](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/integrations/google-ads?tab=skan_integration).

<Note>
  This guide covers the Google-specific SKAN setup. If you haven't connected Google Ads to Linkrunner yet, start with
  the [Google Ads integration guide](/ad-networks/google-ads).
</Note>

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* A [connected Google Ads integration](/ad-networks/google-ads)
* Your app live with a SKAN-ready Linkrunner SDK version (see [minimum versions](/features/skadnetwork-integration#minimum-sdk-versions))
* Admin access to the Google Ads account that runs your iOS campaigns

## 1. Prepare Your App

### Update the SDK

Your app must run a SKAN-ready SDK version. The SDK updates conversion values automatically as users perform events, so no SKAN code is needed on your side. Check the [minimum SDK versions](/features/skadnetwork-integration#minimum-sdk-versions).

### Add Google's Ad Network Identifier

Apple only generates SKAN postbacks for ad networks listed in your app's `Info.plist`. Add Google's identifier under `SKAdNetworkItems`:

```xml theme={null}
<key>SKAdNetworkItems</key>
<array>
    <dict>
        <key>SKAdNetworkIdentifier</key>
        <string>cstr6suwn9.skadnetwork</string>
    </dict>
</array>
```

<Info>On Expo, add these under `ios.infoPlist.SKAdNetworkItems` in your `app.json`.</Info>

### Add the Postback Copy Endpoints

Add these keys to your `Info.plist` so Apple sends copies of SKAN postbacks to Linkrunner:

```xml theme={null}
<key>NSAdvertisingAttributionReportEndpoint</key>
<string>https://linkrunner-skan.com</string>
<key>AttributionCopyEndpoint</key>
<string>https://linkrunner-skan.com</string>
```

<Info>The Linkrunner Expo plugin adds these keys automatically.</Info>

## 2. Create an iOS Link ID

A Google Ads iOS link ID enables data sharing between Linkrunner and Google Ads for your iOS app.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Third-party app Analytics">
    In Google Ads, go to **Tools → Data Manager → Third-party app Analytics**, or visit
    [ads.google.com/aw/productlinks/thirdpartyappanalytics](https://ads.google.com/aw/productlinks/thirdpartyappanalytics).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the link ID">
    Click **+ Create link ID**, select **Other provider**, and enter provider ID `9936233049`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your iOS app">
    Choose the **iOS** platform, select your app, then click **Create link ID** and copy the generated ID.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste it into Linkrunner">
    In the Linkrunner Dashboard, open [Settings → Integrations → Google
    Ads](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/integrations/google-ads) and paste the iOS link ID.
  </Step>
</Steps>

See the full walkthrough in [Google Ads → Create Link ID](/ad-networks/google-ads#2-create-link-id-for-android%2Fios-app).

## 3. Connect Your Google Ads Account

Linkrunner needs OAuth access to your Google Ads account to deliver SKAN postbacks and conversion values.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Google Ads integration">
    In the Linkrunner Dashboard, open [Settings → Integrations → Google
    Ads](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/integrations/google-ads).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    Click **Connect Google Ads Account** and authenticate with the Google account that manages your ads.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select accounts">Select the customer account(s) you want to connect.</Step>
</Steps>

## 4. Configure the SKAN Schema in Linkrunner

Linkrunner converts your event list into SKAN conversion values (0-63) and sends the schema to Google automatically.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set up event priority">
    Go to **Settings → SKAN Setup → Events Setup** in the [Linkrunner
    Dashboard](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/settings/skan-setup?tab=event-setup). Add the events that
    matter for optimization and drag rows to set priority. The topmost event has the highest priority.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set ranges">
    For revenue events, set a **min** and **max** range. For occurrence events, set an **average**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the mapping">
    Click **Generate SKAN Mapping**. The dashboard shows the combination count in real time and warns if your
    configuration would exceed Apple's limit of 64 conversion values.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If you already configured the schema for Meta Ads, no extra work is needed. Linkrunner reuses the same schema for
  Google.
</Note>

For background on how this maps to SKAN 4.0, see [Conversion Values in SKAdNetwork](/features/skadnetwork-conversion-values).

## 5. Map Events to Google Ads

Map each Linkrunner event to the corresponding Google Ads conversion action so postbacks land against the right conversion in your Google Ads account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open event mapping">
    Go to [Settings → Integrations → Google Ads → Event
    Mapping](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/integrations/google-ads?tab=event_mapping).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map each event">
    For each event in your SKAN schema, select the Google Ads conversion action it should map to.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">Save the mapping.</Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Linkrunner automatically sends the SKAN schema configuration to Google on your behalf. You don't need to upload
  conversion values manually in Google Ads.
</Note>

<Tip>
  If an event is not available as a conversion action in Google Ads, fire a test event from Linkrunner, then import it
  from **Goals → Conversions → Summary** after Google finishes processing it.
</Tip>

## 6. Verify the Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check the checklist">
    Confirm every item is complete in the [Google Ads SKAN Integration
    Checklist](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/integrations/google-ads?tab=skan_integration).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run an iOS campaign">
    SKAN postbacks only flow once a Google Ads iOS App Campaign is live and driving installs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch the SKAN dashboard">
    Postbacks appear in the [SKAN dashboard](/features/skan-dashboard/overview) as Apple delivers them. Apple delays
    postbacks by design, so expect data 24 to 48 hours after installs begin.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Troubleshooting

### No postbacks in the SKAN dashboard

* Confirm the `Info.plist` keys from [section 1](#1-prepare-your-app) are in the live app build
* Confirm the SKAN-ready SDK version is live and rolled out to 100% of users
* Wait 24 to 48 hours. Apple delays SKAN postbacks by design

### Conversions not showing in Google Ads

* Confirm the iOS link ID is pasted correctly in Linkrunner
* Confirm your Google Ads account is connected via OAuth
* Confirm the event is mapped to a conversion action in [Event Mapping](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io/dashboard/integrations/google-ads?tab=event_mapping)
* Wait up to 12 hours. Google processes third-party app analytics events with a delay

### iOS campaign numbers differ from Linkrunner

This is expected with SKAN. See [Google Ads FAQ and Discrepancies](/ad-networks/google-ads-discrepancies) and [iOS Campaign Data Limitations](/features/ios-campaign-data-limitations).

***

**Need help?** Contact [support@linkrunner.io](mailto:support@linkrunner.io)