Mobile interstitials are full-screen advertisements that appear at certain points within a user’s interaction on a website, app, or game. These ads emerge at natural pauses, such as transitioning between game levels or while navigating between articles on a news site.
Mobile interstitials are immersive, full-page ads that integrate into the user experience. Users can either engage with these ads by clicking through to their destination or dismiss them to continue with their current activity. These ads can be static images or dynamic media, like videos.
In the context of mobile websites, interstitials appear as full-page ads that display between page views. They provide a significant revenue stream for publishers by allowing effective monetization of web pages.
Web interstitials are triggered by user-initiated navigation. However, they are less common on websites featuring continuous scrolling or single-page applications (SPAs), where page navigation is minimal.
Similar to their web counterparts, mobile app interstitials are full-page ads displayed during transitions within an app. They are particularly effective for brand advertising due to their large size and engaging nature. These ads often appear at natural intervals, such as at the start of an app, during game level transitions, or before a video.
Mobile interstitials are effective in countering issues like banner blindness in mobile environments. Their prominent placement ensures higher visibility, which can lead to increased user engagement and improved click-through rates (CTR). Recognized for their effectiveness, these ads are highly sought after by both brand and performance advertisers.
When implementing mobile interstitials, it’s crucial to consider their placement and frequency:
Ad Placement: The timing and location of your ad are critical. Employ A/B testing to identify optimal moments for ad placement, such as at the end of a level in a game or between articles on a news site.
Ad Frequency: The frequency of your ads is equally important. Ads should enhance, not detract from, the user experience. Ensure ads are served at a balanced pace and only after user interaction with your app or site.
In 2017, Google introduced penalties for intrusive interstitials on mobile websites to regulate the user experience. Publishers and advertisers must comply with these guidelines to avoid penalties. Intrusive practices include:
Google penalizes sites with intrusive ads, potentially lowering their search rankings. However, these rules exclude interstitials required for legal reasons, like age verification or cookie usage.
Key Takeaways Mobile interstitials are impactful advertising tools that fit naturally within a user’s journey on apps and websites. They are favored for their size and engagement potential. Proper placement and frequency are vital for effectiveness, and adherence to Google’s anti-intrusive advertising policies is essential. By following best practices, mobile interstitials can significantly enhance user engagement without compromising the user experience.
