{"id":2314,"date":"2016-09-26T13:06:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-26T13:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clockwork.com\/?p=2314"},"modified":"2025-04-04T18:34:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T18:34:57","slug":"goodbye-popups-that-block-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clockwork.com\/insights\/goodbye-popups-that-block-content\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodbye popups that block content"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine this scenario: You\u2019re in line at the store, reading through news items on your phone. You\u2019re interested in more detail on a story, so you do a quick Google search to get more information. After finding a reputable source, you tap on the link, see a few sentences, but then you are immediately blocked by a gray interstitial (pop-up) that takes over your entire screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere is that x?\u201d you think. \u201cHow can I get rid of this thing?\u201d There\u2019s no obvious button that will help you move along and get the information you need. Disappointed, you give up on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an increasingly common use case as content providers look to monetize content and services. These interruptive moments to \u201cSign-up for our promotion!\u201d or \u201cGet 20% off if you sign up for our newsletter!\u201d rarely (if ever) serve the end users. Sometimes they may be able to get a hint of the content before being presented with the pop-ups, but oftentimes not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google has noticed this practice and thinks it\u2019s getting in the way of user experience, especially on mobile devices. They\u2019ve announced that sites using these types interstitials might\u00a0suffer<\/a> in <\/a>search rankings<\/a>. Their new weighting won\u2019t cover sites that use these for legal reasons, to get users to log in, or use \u201creasonable\u201d space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many companies will start to look to alternatives to this methodology: they want to find a way to put promotional items in front of users without jeopardizing experience or ranking. Maybe you do. So, what are some alternatives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Google\u2019s Size Recommendations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at Google\u2019s \u201creasonable\u201d size recommendations. Remember, this new ranking is all for the sake of mobile. Pay attention to the size and make it easily dismissible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the Content to Engage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead of forcing users to subscribe in order to view content, prompt users to subscribe contextually as they are engaging with the content. Forcing users to sign up leads to abandonment or users who aren\u2019t engaged in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put Things on Delay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead of giving users a coupon immediately, display it after they\u2019ve been browsing for 5 minutes. If they\u2019re still looking, they like what they see and perhaps that offer can help move the needle. Give them time to know if they want to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Something New<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The core principle of these practices is stopping your users; when you do that, you prevent engagement and increase frustration. It\u2019s kind of like saying to someone after they\u2019ve ordered a muffin, \u201cOh I see you\u2019re getting a blueberry muffin, before you enjoy the warm deliciousness, you have to listen to the back story of how that muffin was made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The person probably won\u2019t want to wait around for that muffin and they\u2019ll have a bad taste in their mouth. Think about ways you can keep users engaging with content and recognizing value while reminding them of the benefits of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all of this, it\u2019s important to remember that the users who like and find your site valuable will return and will engage. Getting a 10x increase in sign ups just because they couldn\u2019t easily bypass the popup on their phone does not actually increase revenue. Dedicated groups of users who care and engage does. Don\u2019t alienate those that love you or those that could, be creative and show your value.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine this scenario: You\u2019re in line at the store, reading through news items on your phone. You\u2019re interested in more detail on a story, so you do a quick Google search to get more information. After finding a reputable source, you tap on the link, see a few sentences, but then you are immediately blocked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"coauthors":[73],"class_list":["post-2314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-experience-design"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGoodbye popups that block content<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Popups get in the way of a great user experience. 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