The Many Shades of Popup Ads
Popup advertisements began in the late 1990s as a response to complaints from advertisers about their banner ads being run next to unsavory or controversial content — and have since evolved into a complex subject. You’ve probably come across a variety of different popup ad behaviors, each with one goal in mind — to convert your attention into profit.
As pictured, there is a positive call to action button, and underneath a biting alternative, usually serving as the only means to close the window — reducing you to admit a lower self-worth.
Conclusion
Popup ads are always a tricky subject. While they can boost conversions, most tactics are tired, will frustrate users and can drive them away, particularly if you are using some of the “annoying behaviors” mentioned above. We generally discourage clients from using popups as a way to increase conversions. Think about how you would treat your customers face-to-face: would you shame or harass them into buying a product? Or would you treat them with a little more respect?
Entry Popups
Entry popups are those that appear when the webpage first loads, forcing you to engage with it before viewing the content you came to see. They commonly solicit visitors to sign up for a newsletter or offer a coupon code on ecommerce sites. After the initial page load, entry popups can be triggered by different actions:
Exit Popup
Exit popup ads are deployed just as you are attempting to leave a webpage — a last-ditch attempt to keep your attention. The site will track your mouse movements and just as you move toward the top of the browser window to go back, the popup will appear with a message to discourage you from leaving.
Entry popups are those that appear when the webpage first loads, forcing you to engage with it before viewing the content you came to see. They commonly solicit visitors to sign up for a newsletter or offer a coupon code on ecommerce sites. After the initial page load, entry popups can be triggered by different actions:
- On scroll: As you scroll down a page, the popup will appear. This action is designed to ensure the popup captures a more valuable class of customers —those interested enough to scroll past the beginning of the webpage they visited.
- After a designated amount of time: Same idea as a popup on scroll, but waiting for a specific amount of time before throwing a call to action over their screen content. This allows you to become invested in the website before being bombarded by a sales pitch.
- After a click: A popup can be designed to appear after you click on a specific element on the page. For instance, after you click on the products page of an ecommerce site, a coupon code for free shipping is offered.
Exit popup ads are deployed just as you are attempting to leave a webpage — a last-ditch attempt to keep your attention. The site will track your mouse movements and just as you move toward the top of the browser window to go back, the popup will appear with a message to discourage you from leaving.
Annoying Behaviors
Although all popup advertisements can be annoying, there are a few behaviors that have become common practice and are in particularly ill taste.
Although all popup advertisements can be annoying, there are a few behaviors that have become common practice and are in particularly ill taste.
- Pop-under: The pop-under ads appears in a separate window underneath your primary browser window so that it is only visible after you’ve finished browsing, leaving it unclear which site originally launched it.
- No close: Some ads don’t have a prominent close button, so that you waste time looking at the ad just to find a way to get rid of it.
- Click-shaming: Click-shaming, also referred to as “manipulinks,” or “confirmshaming,” is when an advertisement attempts to make a user feel bad about themselves in order to get them to sign up for a newsletter or accept an offer.
Conclusion
Popup ads are always a tricky subject. While they can boost conversions, most tactics are tired, will frustrate users and can drive them away, particularly if you are using some of the “annoying behaviors” mentioned above. We generally discourage clients from using popups as a way to increase conversions. Think about how you would treat your customers face-to-face: would you shame or harass them into buying a product? Or would you treat them with a little more respect?
About Mira Brody
Mira Brody is an editor, writer, and marketing expert with 12+ years of experience. She has worked as a local news reporter, a writer/editor, and as a leader in large-scale branding strategy. Mira worked at JTech as the staff writer and editor for internal and client projects from March 2015 to December 2019.
More articles by Mira: The Pastas of Programming | The Good, Bad and Ugly of Company Slogans | Note Taking Improves Workplace Skills