Let's Chat! 1-(888) 262-6687
1st on the List Promotion Inc.
  • Home
  • Services
    • SEO
      • Custom SEO Services
      • Local SEO Services
      • SEO Consulting Services
      • SEO Page Experience
      • Technical SEO Audit
      • Content
      • Link Acquisition SEO
      • Social Media
      • Analytics and Reports
      • Additional SEO Services
    • Website Design
      • WordPress Web Design
      • Ecommerce Website Design
      • Website Content
      • Conversion Rate Optimization
      • Security and Maintenance
    • PPC
      • Custom PPC
      • Local PPC Mgmt
      • PPC Audits
      • PPC Ad Retargeting
      • PPC Social Media Ads
    • Content
      • SEO Content
      • Copywriting
      • Content Audits
      • Strategy Development
      • Training
  • Our Work
    • Case Studies
    • Website Design Portfolio
    • Client Results
  • About
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Our Headquarters
    • Our Team
    • Who We Work With
    • Testimonials
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Start a Project
  • Menu Menu
Google & Bing, Mobile Search

Your Guide to the Google Interstitial Ads Penalty Update

Reading Time: 3 minutes

We’ve all seen them. The annoying popup ad layered over the page of a website which prevents us from reading the content after we’ve followed a link on our mobile device.

Google has decided that these interstitial mobile ads are intruding on a mobile user’s experience by preventing the user from immediately accessing the page content from a search result link.

On January 10th, 2017, Google instituted its Interstitial Ad Penalty and began penalizing mobile website pages that have intrusive interstitial pop-up ads that initially obscure page content for a user.

Google explains that this is because they provide a “poorer experience to users than other pages where content is immediately accessible.”

In This Article

  • Google’s Interstitial Policy Rationale
  • 3 Forms of Mobile Interstitial Ads Being Penalized
  • Mobile Interstitial Ads NOT Affected by Google’s Update
  • What’s the Future of Interstitial Ads?

Google’s Interstitial Policy Rationale

In their announcement on Google Webmaster Central Blog, Google explains:

“Pages where content is not easily accessible to a user on the transition from the mobile search results, may not rank as highly. As we said, this new signal is just one of hundreds of signals that are used in ranking and the intent of the search query is still a very strong signal, so a page may still rank highly if it has great, relevant content.”

This could adversely affect the bottom line of many companies who rely on interstitial ads as a significant source of their revenue. Read our article How to Improve B2B Website Usability in which we touch on popups and the public’s distaste for them.

3 Forms of Mobile Interstitial Ads Being Penalized

There are 3 specific forms of mobile interstitial ads that are at risk of being penalized with this recent Google interstitial update:

  1. Pop-up ads that immediately cover the main content after arriving at a mobile page through a link from a search result.
  2. Pop-ups that force a user to dismiss them before page content will be displayed.
  3. Sites that make the above-the-fold components of a page appear as though they are a standalone interstitial, underneath which the original content has been inlined.

Mobile Interstitial Ads NOT Affected by Google’s Update

Methods of interstitial use which are not affected by the new Google mobile ranking signal penalties include:

  1. Interstitials that are legally obligated to be on a page, such as age verification or cookie usage, are not affected.
  2. Site logins where content is not indexable for the public, including content that is private, or behind a paywall.
  3. Banners that can be easily dismissed, and use a reasonable amount of screen space.

Wondering what is a “reasonable” amount of space? Google does not indicate what proportion a reasonable amount of screen space constitutes, exactly. From the banner images in their mobile phone image examples in the article, the banners appear to take up approximately 1/4 of the screen.

What’s the Future of Interstitial Ads?

Personally, I’d like to see the same penalty system rolled out for desktop search. Ever come across a pop-up ad after clicking on a search result link? These seem to become more and more common and are just as annoying to visitors today as they were when they first appeared.

What is your experience with interstitial ads on mobile or desktop?

If you want more information on how interstitials as a ranking signal might affect your website, contact us at 1st on the List today at 1-888-262-6687, and we’ll answer any questions you might have.


Carissa Krause

Carissa Krause is a Digital Marketing and Project Specialist at 1st on the List. Over the last 12+ years she has worked in our Abbotsford office with clients on a wide range of projects that include areas like local SEO, project reporting, backlink profile review, content development, strategic planning, and more. Whatever the project may be Carissa focuses on achieving greater efficiencies and putting plans into action. When away from her desk you’ll likely find her drinking all the coffee while sitting on the floor driving cars with her two young boys. Learn more about Carissa.
View all posts
January 17, 2017/by Carissa Krause
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
You might also like
Man at a desk with laptop showing PAY PER CLICK on the computer screenCreating a Successful PPC Advertising Campaign
The words Pay Per Click written on a computer keyboard key9 Ways Hiring a PPC Manager Can Save You Money
The word "adwords" is spelled out using scrabble pieces.Stay Up To Date with All the New Features in Google AdWords
The words Pay Per Click written on a computer keyboard key3 SEO and Pay Per Click Marketing Strategies
computer laptop showing marketing graphAd Retargeting Marketing Trends for 2015
Man at a desk with laptop showing PAY PER CLICK on the computer screenWhat is Local PPC?

Recent Posts

  • How to Attract Local Customers
  • Optimize Your Google Business Profile
  • How Mobile Local SEO Can Help Your Business
  • The Perfect SEO Page
  • What is Local SEO?

Explore Topics

  • Social Media Blogs
  • mobile SEO
  • GBP Profile
  • Business & Marketing
  • Company News
  • Content & Keywords
  • e-commerce
  • Google & Bing
  • Lead Generation
  • Link Building
  • Local PPC
  • Local Search
  • Mobile Search
  • Search Engine Marketing (PPC)
  • SEO in the News
  • Social Optimization
  • Technical SEO
  • SEO
  • Conversion Optimization
  • Web Design

1st on the List celebrate 25 years

Trusted SEO Experts, Delivering Results Since 1997. We’ve spent 25 years getting the best rankings and branded exposure for our clients in Canada and the US through winning SEO, Web Design, and PPC Strategies. Join our growing list of happy clients today!

GET PROPOSAL

COMPANY

About
Team
What Makes Us Different
Who We Work With

OUR WORK

Client Results
Case Studies
Web Design Portfolio
Testimonials

SERVICES

SEO
Local SEO
Technical SEO Audits
SEO Consulting
Web Design
Content
Pay Per Click
Social Media

CONTACT

201 – 33119 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford BC, Canada
V2S 2B1

34878 Millar Crescent
Abbotsford BC, Canada
V2S 7K5
1-888-262-6687
 [email protected]

© Copyright 1997-2023 - 1st on the List Promotion Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Blog
  • Press and Partners
  • Resources
  • FAQ’s
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Scroll to top