DCR Static iOS SDK

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The Nielsen SDK is one of multiple framework SDKs that Nielsen provides to enable measuring linear (live) and on-demand TV viewing using TVs, mobile devices, etc. The App SDK is the framework for mobile application developers to integrate Nielsen Measurement into their media player applications. It supports a variety of Nielsen Measurement Products like Digital in TV Ratings, Digital Content Ratings (DCR & DTVR), and Digital Ad Ratings (DAR). Nielsen SDKs are also equipped to measure static content and can track key life cycle events of an application like:

• Application launch events and how long app was running
• How long each app page/section was viewed (if enabled by your Nielsen representative)

Prerequisites for Static Measurement

This Guide is for the Implementation of Static Measurement. For implementation of Static and Video, please refer to the iOS DCR Video Implementation Guide.
To start using the App SDK, the following items are required:

Item	Description	Source
App ID (appid)	Unique ID assigned to the player/site and configured by product.	Contact Nielsen
sfcode	Environment that the SDK must point to	Contact Nielsen
Nielsen SDK	Includes SDK frameworks and sample implementation; See iOS SDK Release Notes	Download

If you do not have any of these pre-requisites or if you have any questions, please contact our SDK sales support team. Refer to Digital Measurement Onboarding guide for information on how to get a Nielsen App SDK and appid.

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Implementation

This guide covers implementation steps for iOS using Xcode utilizing the Standard Nielsen SDK for DCR.

Setting up your Development Environment

Prior to SDK Version 6.2.0.0 the IOS framework has been distributed as a static library packaged into framework bundle format. Apple recommends to use dynamic framework, it has some benefits over static libraries like less executable file size of an app, faster startup time and native support in xCode IDE. Nielsen AppSDK has been transformed into dynamic framework in this release (static framework is still available).

If migrating from the static library to this new dynamic framework, once implemented, unless your specific application requires, you can remove the following Frameworks that were once required: [AdSupport, JavascriptCore, SystemConfiguration, Security, AVFoundation, libc++]

The Dynamic framework is created as a fat framework. It means that it contains slices required for devices (armv7, arm64) as well as slices required for simulators (i386, x86_64). Simulator slices are needed to let clients build and debug their app on the simulators, but they should be removed before sending the app to the AppStore. The example of the shell script that should be added as a Run Script phase in the application can be found here.

How to obtain the NielsenAppApi.Framework

The Nielsen AppSDK can either be downloaded directly or can be integrated directly within an application through the use of CocoaPods. We recommend using the CocoaPods-based integration whenever possible to ensure you maintain the most recent changes and enhancements to the Nielsen libraries.

• Select to obtain CocoaPods implementation guide
• Select to Download Directly

Configuring Xcode Development Environment

Starting with SDK version 6.0.0.0, the Nielsen App SDK is compatible with Apple iOS versions 8.0 and above. In addition, when using the dynamic framework, all the required frameworks are linked automatically as the are needed. More details can be found here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/24902787/dont-we-need-to-link-framework-to-xcode-project-anymore

Note: All communications between the SDK and the Census (Collection Facility) use HTTPS.

Download Framework

The first step is to download and copy the NielsenAppApi.framework bundle to the app project directory. (Not required if using CocaPods)

Add Framework

In the General tab for app configuration add NielsenAppApi.framework in the list of Embedded Binaries. (Not required if using CocaPods)

Add Path

Add path to the NielsenAppApi.framework in the Framework Search Paths build setting. (Not required if using CocaPods)

Import Framework

Add NielsenAppApi.framework module in the source file of your app:

Using Swift

Add the following:

import NielsenAppApi

Using Objective-C

@import NielsenAppApi;

SDK Initialization

The latest version of the Nielsen App SDK allows instantiating multiple instances of the SDK object, which can be used simultaneously without any issue. The sharedInstance API that creates a singleton object was deprecated prior to version 5.1.1. (Click here for an example of multiple instances)

The following table contains the list of arguments that can be passed via the AppInfo JSON schema.

• The appid is provided by the Nielsen Technical Account Manager (TAM). The appid is a GUID data type and is specific to the application.

Parameter / Argument	Description	Source	Required?	Example
appid	Unique id for the application assigned by Nielsen. It is GUID data type.	Nielsen-specified	Yes	PXXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX
appname	Name of the application	Client-defined	Optional; automatically detected in SDK 6.0.0.4 and above	Nielsen Sample App
sfcode	Nielsen collection facility to which the SDK should connect. DTVR "us" DCR "dcr"	Nielsen-specified	Yes	dcr
nol_devDebug	Enables Nielsen console logging. Only required for testing	Nielsen-specified	Optional	"DEBUG"

Debug flag for development environment

Player application developers / integrators can use Debug flag to check whether an App SDK API call made is successful. To activate the Debug flag, Pass the argument @"nol_devDebug":@"INFO", in the JSON string . The permitted values are:

• INFO: Displays the API calls and the input data from the application (validate player name, app ID, etc.). It can be used as certification Aid.
• WARN: Indicates potential integration / configuration errors or SDK issues.
• ERROR: Indicates important integration errors or non-recoverable SDK issues.
• DEBUG: Debug logs, used by the developers to debug more complex issues.

Once the flag is active, it logs each API call made and the data passed. The log created by this flag is minimal.

Note: DO NOT activate the Debug flag in a production environment.

Sample SDK Initialization Code

Swift

Swift 4.0 Example: NielsenInit.swift

import Foundation
import NielsenAppApi

class NielsenInit : NSObject {
    class func createNielsenApi(delegate: NielsenAppApiDelegate) -> NielsenAppApi?{
        
        let appInformation:[String: String] = [
            "appid": "PDA7D5EE6-B1B8-4123-9277-2A788XXXXXXX",
            "sfcode": "dcr",
            "nol_devDebug": "DEBUG"
        ]       
        return NielsenAppApi(appInfo:appInformation, delegate:delegate)
    }
}

Sample code using AVPlayer. LandingVC.swift

import UIKit
import NielsenAppApi


class LandingVC: UIViewController, NielsenAppApiDelegate {
    
    var nielsenMain : NielsenAppApi!
    var sdkMethods : SDKMethods!
    var data : [String : Any]!

class ViewController: UIViewController, NielsenAppApiDelegate, AVPlayerViewControllerDelegate  {

// your code//    

  override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        //Getting the instance of NielsenApi
        self.nielsenApi = NielsenInit.createNielsenApi(delegate: self)
            }
  }
    override func viewDidAppear(_ animated: Bool) {      
        self.data = sdkMethods.loadStaticMaster()     // This is just an example of populating the metadata
        self.nielsenMain.loadMetadata(self.data)
    }

Objective C

Initialize the Nielsen App object within the viewDidLoad view controller delegate method using initWithAppInfo:delegate:

If App SDK is initialized using init or new methods, it will ignore the API calls resulting in no measurement. The SDK will not return any errors.

    
#import "NielsenInit.h"
#import <NielsenAppApi/NielsenEventTracker.h>

@implementation NielsenInit

+ (NielsenAppApi *)createNielsenAppApiWithDelegate:(id<NielsenAppApiDelegate>)delegate
{    
    //Initialising the NielsenEventTracker class by passing app information which returns the instance of NielsenEventTracker.
    
    NSDictionary *appInformation = @{ @"appid": @"PDA7D5EE6-B1B8-4123-9277-2A788XXXXXXX",
                            @"appversion": @"1.0",
                            @"sfcode": @"dcr",
                            @"nol_devDebug": @"DEBUG", };
    
    return [[NielsenAppApi alloc] initWithAppInfo:appInformation delegate:delegate];
}

@end

The following would be the NielsenInit.h file:

#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>

@class NielsenAppApi;
@protocol NielsenAppApiDelegate;

@interface NielsenInit : NSObject

+ (NielsenAppApi *)createNielsenAppApiWithDelegate:(id<NielsenAppApiDelegate>)delegate;

@end

Sample Code:

@implementation ViewController

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];
        
    //Getting the instance of Nielsen SDK
    nielsenApi = [NielsenInit createNielsenAppApiWithDelegate:nil];

API Call sequence

Call loadMetadata with JSON metadata as below.

Swift

 class SDKMethods : NSObject{ 
    func loadStaticMaster() -> [String : Any] {      
        //Loading Static Main data      
        let staticData =
            [
        "type": "static",
        "assetid": "C77664",     //optional for static measurement
        "section": "siteSection",
        "segA": "segmentA",
        "segB": "CustomSegmentValueB", //optional
        "segC": "CustomSegmentValueC", //optional
        ]       
        return staticData    
    }

Objective C

 
NSDictionary * staticMetadata = @ {
    @ "type": @ "static",
        @ "assetid": @ "C77664",  //optional for static measurement
        @ "section": @ "siteSection",
        @ "segA": @ "Segment A",
        @ "segB": @ "CustomSegmentValueB", //optional
        @ "segC": @ "CustomSegmentValueC", //optional
}

Configure Metadata

Map the Nielsen keys to variables so that the content metadata is dynamically updated.

The Nielsen reserved keys are:

Key	Description	Data Type	Value	Required?
type	asset type	fixed	'static'	Yes
assetid	Unique ID for each article	dynamic	custom (no Special Characters)	No
section	section of each site (e.g. section value should be first level in page URL: website.com/section). Limit to 25 unique values	dynamic	custom	Yes
segA	custom segment for reporting: Limit to 25 unique values across custom segments (segA + segB + segC)	dynamic	custom	No
segB	custom segment for reporting: Limit to 25 unique values across custom segments (segA + segB + segC)	dynamic	custom	No
segC	custom segment for reporting: Limit to 25 unique values across custom segments (segA + segB + segC)	dynamic	custom	No

The values passed through the Nielsen keys will determine the breakouts that are seen in reporting. The custom segments (A, B & C) will roll into the sub-brand. To not use custom segments A, B and C, do not pass any value in these keys.

Aggregation Limits There are limits on the number of unique values that can be aggregated on in reporting. The specific limitations by key are:

Key	Aggregation Limit
section	maximum of 25 unique values (section <= 25)
segA	Maximum number of unique values allowed across segA, segB, and segC is 25 (segA + segB + segC<= 25)
segB	Maximum number of unique values allowed across segA, segB, and segC is 25 (segA + segB + segC<= 25)
segC	Maximum number of unique values allowed across segA, segB, and segC is 25 (segA + segB + segC<= 25)

DCR Static Duration Measurement per Section/Page/Asset

If your Nielsen AppID is enabled for DCR Static duration measurement, a view event will be recorded and a timer will be started for each screen/page. Duration will be measured until a new page is loaded or the app is moved to the background. The event which triggers recognition of page view and timer start is the loadMetadata API call with a metadata object of type 'static'. Once a page is viewed and the timer has started, duration will be measured until a new page has loaded with associated loadMetadata call having a different section name from the previous page. If a new loadMetadata call is made with the same section name, it will be ignored - no new view will be recorded. If it is desired to have a new view event even though the metadata contains the same section name (example: single-page apps having several assedIDs but common section name), staticEnd API can be called between page views.
Show flow diagram for above description

Example 1 - In this example, a static view and duration ping with duration=25 will be generated for "SPORTS" section.
Show Swift Example

  let staticMetadataSports = [ "type": "static", "section": "SPORTS" ]
  nielsenSDK.loadMetadata(staticMetadataSports)          
  //in this example, after 25 seconds, new metadata is loaded for section "MOVIES"          

  let staticMetadataMovies = [ "type": "static", "section": "MOVIES" ]
  nielsenSDK.loadMetadata(staticMetadataMovies)

Show Objective-C Example

 NSDictionary *staticMetadataSports = @{@"type": @"static", @"section": @"SPORTS"};
 [self.nielsenSDK loadMetadata:staticMetadataSports];

  //in this example, after 25 seconds, new metadata is loaded for section "MOVIES"          

 NSDictionary *staticMetadataMovies = @{@"type": @"static", @"section": @"MOVIES"};
 [self.nielsenSDK loadMetadata:staticMetadataMovies];

Example 2 - In this example,, let's assume 20 seconds after the page is viewed, the app goes to background. A static duration ping with duration=20 will be generated for "SPORTS" section.
Show Swift Example

  let staticMetadataSports = [ "type": "static", "section": "SPORTS" ]
  nielsenSDK.loadMetadata(staticMetadataSports)          
  //App goes to background or killed after 20 seconds.

Show Objective-C Example

  NSDictionary *staticMetadataSports = @{@"type": @"static", @"section": @"SPORTS"};
 [self.nielsenSDK loadMetadata:staticMetadataSports];         
  //App goes to background or killed after 20 seconds.

Note: Once the app is returned to foreground or relaunched, the app needs to pass static metadata again in order to restart measuring DCR Static duration.

Example 3 - Here we wish to generate a new view event and start a new duration timer even though the section name in the metadata is the same.
Show Swift Example

let staticMetadataSports = [ "type": "static", "section": "SPORTS", "assetid": "TENNIS"]
nielsenSDK.loadMetadata(staticMetadataSports) 
//in this example, after 25 seconds, we pass staticEnd before new metadata is loaded for section "SPORTS", but assetid "CRICKET"

nielsenSDK.staticEnd()

let staticMetadataSports = [ "type": "static", "section": "SPORTS", "assetid": "CRICKET"]
nielsenSDK.loadMetadata(staticMetadataSports)

Show Objective-C Example

NSDictionary *staticMetadataSports = @{@"type": @"static", @"section": @"SPORTS", @"assetid": @"TENNIS"};
 [self.nielsenSDK loadMetadata:staticMetadataSports]; 
//in this example, after 25 seconds, we pass staticEnd before new metadata is loaded for section "SPORTS", but assetid "CRICKET"


[self.nielsenSDK staticEnd];

NSDictionary *staticMetadataSports = @{@"type": @"static", @"section": @"SPORTS", @"assetid": @"CRICKET"};
 [self.nielsenSDK loadMetadata:staticMetadataSports];

Note: Even though the assetid has changed, a new view event would not be recognized unless staticEnd() is called in between loadMetadata calls, because the section name did not change.

Handling Foreground and Background states

For iOS, background/foreground detection is handled by the app lifecylce APIs which are provided by Apple:

Foreground/Background state measurement is a requirement of Nielsen AppSDK implementation which is especially crucial for static measurement.

Privacy and Opt-Out

There are currently 3 flavors of the Nielsen SDK. Please check the "Implementation" section for a comparison of the three flavors. Implementing opt-out for the three flavors are different:

1. Global iOS SDK Opt-out - managed by AppTracking or Limit Ad Tracking setting on device.
2. Global iOS SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out - Direct call to SDK. Can be used without the Ad Framework.
3. Global iOS SDK No ID Opt-out - Direct call to SDK. Should be used for Kids Category.

Global iOS SDK Opt-out

OS-level Opt-out method available on Nielsen iOS

The Nielsen SDK automatically leverages the iOS's Limit Ad Tracking or AppTracking setting.

• If the User's device is running < iOS 13.x, the Nielsen SDK will check the status of Limit Ad Tracking.
• iOS14 modifies the way Apple manages the collection of a User's Opt-In status through AppTracking. Starting with Version 8.x+, the Nielsen App SDK will check the iOS version during initialization. If the device is running iOS12 or iOS13, the Limit Ad Tracking setting is requested. If iOS14.x +, then AppTracking is utilized.

Webview Element

It is a requirement to display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from optOutURL. If using the Global iOS SDK, this optOutURL informs the user how to deactivate/activate “App Tracking/Limit Ad Tracking”.

If you are implementing on AppleTV here are your Opt Out verbiage options : https://engineeringportal.nielsen.com/docs/DCR_Video_%26_Static_CTV_Device_SDK_Privacy

Sample Code for Global Build

Swift

import UIKit
import WebKit
import NielsenAppApi

class OptOutVC: UIViewController, NielsenAppApiDelegate, WKNavigationDelegate {
    var nielsenApi : NielsenAppApi!
    var webView: WKWebView!
   
    override func loadView() {
        webView = WKWebView()
        webView.navigationDelegate = self
        view = webView
    }

    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()

    if let appApi = self.nielsenApi {
            //Getting the optPut URL from SDK
            if let url = URL(string: appApi.optOutURL) {
                webView.load(URLRequest(url: url))
                webView.allowsBackForwardNavigationGestures = true
            }}}

        func closeOptOutView() {
            self.dismiss(animated: true, completion: nil)
        }}

Objective-C

#import "OptOutVC.h"
#import "NielsenInit.h"
#import <NielsenAppApi/NielsenAppApi.h>

@interface OptOutVC ()

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIWebView *webView;
@end

@implementation OptOutVC

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];
    //Getting the optPut URL from eventTracker
    [self.webView loadRequest:[NSURLRequest requestWithURL:[NSURL
 URLWithString:self.nielsenApi.optOutURL]]];
}}

Global iOS SDK No Ad Framework Opt-out

The User Choice method can be used without the Ad Framework, or in situations where the publisher does not wish to use the App Tracking Transparency Framework. As this flavor of the Nielsen SDK does not use the Ad Framework, so it is necessary to display an Optout Page to the user and capture their selection.

Similar to the Global iOS SDK Flavor, it is a requirement to display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from optOutURL. This is a special URL that indicates Opt-in, or Opt-out and close the WebView. The steps are as follows:

• Get the Nielsen opt-out URL via optOutURL
• Display a WebView element whose loadUrl is set to the value obtained from optOutURL
• Detect if the WebView URL changes to a special URL that indicates Opt-in, or Opt-out and close the WebView
  • Opt-out if the WebView URL = nielsenappsdk://1
  • Opt-in if the WebView URL = nielsenappsdk://0
• Pass the detected URL to the userOptOut function
  • Example:

    NielsenAppApi?.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1"); // User opt-out
    

Sample code for No Ad Framework Build

Swift

import UIKit
import WebKit
import NielsenAppApi

class OptOutVC: UIViewController, NielsenAppApiDelegate, WKNavigationDelegate {
    var nielsenApi : NielsenAppApi!
    var webView: WKWebView!
   
    override func loadView() {
        webView = WKWebView()
        webView.navigationDelegate = self
        view = webView
    }

    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()

        if let appApi = self.nielsenApi {
            //Getting the optPut URL from SDK
            if let url = URL(string: appApi.optOutURL) {
                webView.load(URLRequest(url: url))
                webView.allowsBackForwardNavigationGestures = true
            }}}

        func closeOptOutView() {
            self.dismiss(animated: true, completion: nil)
        }

        func webView(_ webView: WKWebView, decidePolicyFor navigationAction: WKNavigationAction, decisionHandler: 
@escaping (WKNavigationActionPolicy) -> Void) {
            print(navigationAction.request.url?.absoluteString as Any) //For debugging to check what is being passed from webpage.
            if navigationAction.request.url?.absoluteString == "nielsen://close" {
                closeOptOutView()
                decisionHandler(.cancel)
            } else {
                if let url = navigationAction.request.url?.absoluteString, url.hasPrefix("nielsen") {
                    nielsenApi?.userOptOut(url). //either nielsenappsdk://1 or nielsenappsdk://0
                    decisionHandler(.cancel)
                } else {
                    if navigationAction.navigationType == .linkActivated {
                        if let url = navigationAction.request.url?.absoluteString, url.hasSuffix("#") {
                            decisionHandler(.allow)
                        } else {
                            decisionHandler(.cancel)
                            webView.load(navigationAction.request)
                        }
                    } else {
                        decisionHandler(.allow)
                    }}}}

}

Objective-C

#import "OptOutVC.h"
#import "NielsenInit.h"
#import <NielsenAppApi/NielsenAppApi.h>

@interface OptOutVC ()

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIWebView *webView;
@end

@implementation OptOutVC

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];
    //Getting the optPut URL from eventTracker
    [self.webView loadRequest:[NSURLRequest requestWithURL:[NSURL
 URLWithString:self.nielsenApi.optOutURL]]];
}
     
- (void)webView:(WKWebView *)webView decidePolicyForNavigationAction:(WKNavigationAction *)navigationAction
 decisionHandler:(void (^)(WKNavigationActionPolicy))decisionHandler
{
    if ([navigationAction.request.URL.absoluteString isEqualToString:kNielsenWebClose])
    {   [self performSelector:@selector(closeOptOutView) withObject:nil afterDelay:0];
        decisionHandler(WKNavigationActionPolicyCancel); 
     } else {
        if ([navigationAction.request.URL.absoluteString hasPrefix:@"nielsen"])
        {[self.nielsenAppApi userOptOut:navigationAction.request.URL.absoluteString];
            decisionHandler(WKNavigationActionPolicyCancel); 
        } else {
            if (navigationAction.navigationType == WKNavigationTypeLinkActivated) 
            { if ([navigationAction.request.URL.absoluteString hasSuffix:@"#"]) 
                      {decisionHandler(WKNavigationActionPolicyAllow);
                } else {
                    decisionHandler(WKNavigationActionPolicyCancel);
                    [webView loadRequest:[NSURLRequest requestWithURL:navigationAction.request.URL]];
                }} else {
                 decisionHandler(WKNavigationActionPolicyAllow);
            }}}
}

Global iOS SDK No ID Opt-out

If you are building an app that will be listed in the Kids Category:

1. Ensure that you are using the NoID version of the Nielsen SDK Framework.
2. Immediately following the initialization of the Nielsen SDK ensure you call the userOptOut API with Opt out selection:

NielsenAppApi?.userOptOut("nielsenappsdk://1"); // User opt-out

Retrieve current Opt-Out preference

Whether the user is opted out via OS-level Opt-out or via User Choice Opt-out, the current Opt-Out status as detected by the SDK is available via the optOutStatus property in the Nielsen SDK API

@property (readonly) BOOL optOutStatus

Pre-Certification Checklists

After the application is ready to be sent for Nielsen Certification, please go through the Pre-Certification Checklist and ensure the app behaves as expected, before submitting to Nielsen.

Testing an Implementation - App

See Digital Measurement Testing.

Going Live

Following Nielsen testing, users need to make one update to the initialization call to ensure that the site is being measured properly.

1. Debug Logging: Disable logging by deleting {nol_sdkDebug: 'DEBUG'} from initialization call.

Note: before going live you have to inform Nielsen team - this is necessary, because Nielsen team has to adjust internal configuration parameter to enable data collection. Without that notification no data will be collected and no data will be reported.