Best Interstitial Ad Networks

Interstitial Ad Networks Guide

Interstitial ad networks are platforms that facilitate the display of full-screen ads within mobile apps or websites, typically between content transitions. These ads are designed to capture the user’s attention by taking up the entire screen, making them a highly visible form of advertisement. They appear at natural breakpoints, such as when a user moves from one page or level to another in an app or during app launch. By interrupting the user experience briefly, interstitial ads can significantly increase brand visibility and engagement, especially when they are well-timed and relevant.

The primary benefit of interstitial ads is their ability to command the user's full attention, leading to higher conversion rates compared to other less intrusive ad formats. However, because these ads cover the entire screen, they can be perceived as disruptive if they are not appropriately spaced or if they appear too frequently. This type of ad format is often used in mobile games, where transitions between levels or actions provide an ideal opportunity to display interstitials without frustrating the user experience. The challenge for advertisers and developers is to strike a balance between maximizing engagement and maintaining user satisfaction.

Interstitial ad networks operate by connecting developers with advertisers, offering both sides tools to monetize apps and target the right audience. These networks typically allow developers to customize the timing, frequency, and design of the ads to ensure they complement the overall app experience. Advertisers benefit from targeting specific demographics or behaviors, optimizing their reach. Through performance analytics, both developers and advertisers can fine-tune their strategies, ensuring that interstitial ads are not only effective in driving revenue but also enhance user engagement without causing annoyance.

Features Provided by Interstitial Ad Networks

• Full-Screen Ads: Interstitial ads occupy the entire screen of a mobile device or web page, ensuring they capture the user's attention without any distractions. The immersive nature of these ads makes them ideal for advertisers looking for high visibility. Because they cover the whole screen, they force the user to interact with the ad, either by watching it, clicking on it, or closing it to proceed.
• Customizable Formats: Many interstitial ad networks allow advertisers to customize the format of the ad, offering options such as static images, videos, HTML5, or interactive ads.
• Ad Targeting: Interstitial ad networks offer various targeting capabilities to deliver the right ads to the right audience. This includes demographic targeting (age, gender), geographic targeting (location), device targeting (smartphone, tablet, desktop), behavioral targeting (interests, browsing habits), and contextual targeting (based on content or app category).
• Frequency Capping: This feature allows advertisers to limit the number of times an interstitial ad is shown to the same user within a given time frame.
• User-Engagement Features: Interstitial ads often include options for user interaction, such as clickable calls-to-action (CTAs), swipe-up features, or gamified elements. These features encourage users to engage with the ad beyond merely closing it.
• Cross-Platform Support: Interstitial ad networks typically support multiple platforms, including mobile apps, websites, and desktop environments.
• Ad Mediation: Many interstitial ad networks support mediation, which allows multiple ad networks to serve ads in an app. This ensures a steady stream of ads, optimizes fill rates, and maximizes revenue potential for publishers.
• Real-Time Analytics and Reporting: Interstitial ad networks provide detailed, real-time analytics to help advertisers monitor the performance of their campaigns. These metrics typically include impressions, clicks, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI).
• Seamless Integration: Interstitial ad networks often offer SDKs (Software Development Kits) or APIs that facilitate easy integration of interstitial ads into mobile apps or websites.
• Video and Rich Media Support: Many interstitial ad networks support video ads, either as full-screen video or as a combination of video and image elements. Rich media ads (interactive or animated) are also supported.
• Ad Rotation: Ad rotation allows different ads to be shown during different transitions or moments in the user journey, keeping the content fresh and preventing users from seeing the same ad too often.
• Skip Option: Many interstitial ads come with a “skip” button that allows users to bypass the ad after a few seconds. This feature respects the user’s time while still ensuring exposure.
• Incentivized Ads: Some interstitial ad networks offer incentivized ads, where users receive rewards (e.g., in-app currency, extra lives in a game) for engaging with the ad or watching it in full.
• Non-Intrusive Ad Experience: While interstitial ads take up the entire screen, many networks optimize the timing and frequency to minimize disruption to the user’s experience. They are often shown at natural pauses, such as between app activities or content transitions.
• Targeted Call-to-Actions (CTA): Interstitial ads often feature specific, targeted CTAs based on the user's behavior, preferences, or app context. These CTAs might encourage users to download an app, make a purchase, or sign up for a service.
• Time-Based Display: Some ad networks allow advertisers to set specific time windows for displaying interstitial ads, such as during certain hours of the day or after a specific duration of user activity.
• Ad Revenue Sharing: Publishers using interstitial ads can earn revenue through a revenue-sharing model, where they receive a percentage of the revenue generated by ad clicks or impressions.
• Brand Safety and Fraud Prevention: Many interstitial ad networks offer robust fraud detection and brand safety measures to protect advertisers from fraudulent activities, such as click fraud or inappropriate content.

Different Types of Interstitial Ad Networks

• Standard Interstitial Ads: Full-screen ads that appear between content or during app transitions. They are typically displayed after a user completes an action, such as switching between pages or finishing a level in a mobile game.
• Video Interstitial Ads: A type of interstitial ad that displays a video, either pre-roll or post-roll. They can be either rewarded (where users gain something in exchange for watching) or non-rewarded (where no incentive is offered).
• Rich Media Interstitial Ads: These ads include interactive elements such as animations, audio, or videos.
• Playable Ads: A specialized form of interstitial ad, often used in gaming apps. Users can interact with a mini-version of a game or app before deciding whether to download or engage further.
• Rewarded Interstitial Ads: Users are offered a reward for watching the ad or interacting with it for a certain period.  These ads generally lead to positive user experiences because the reward system adds value.
• Countdown Interstitial Ads: Interstitial ads that appear with a timer or countdown feature. Users are typically forced to wait for a set period before they can skip the ad.
• Exit-Intent Interstitial Ads: Displayed when the system detects that the user is about to exit the app or website. Designed to capture the user’s attention just before they leave, usually offering a discount, special offer, or reminder.
• Native Interstitial Ads: These ads blend seamlessly into the app or website's content and layout. Designed to mimic the look and feel of the surrounding content, making them less intrusive.
• Hybrid Interstitial Ads: A combination of multiple types of interstitial ads, such as video and rich media or video and playable. Hybrid ads are designed to offer a more dynamic and engaging experience by incorporating various interactive elements.
• Static Interstitial Ads: These are image-based ads that appear as full-screen banners between transitions or content. They do not have video, animation, or interactive elements but are visually appealing with high-quality images.
• Interstitial Ads with Social Sharing: These ads encourage users to share the content or product on social media platforms. Often combine the features of traditional interstitial ads with social media integration, allowing users to post ads to their profiles or timelines.
• Non-Skippable Interstitial Ads: These are interstitials that cannot be skipped or closed by the user until the ad is completed. Typically used in video ads or as part of an immersive experience where the advertiser wants to ensure the user watches the entire ad.
• Interstitial Ads for App Installations: Focused specifically on encouraging users to download a new app. These ads can contain incentives like free trials, discounts, or bonus content to motivate users to install the advertised app.
• Dynamic Interstitial Ads: Ads that adjust their content based on the user’s behavior or preferences. Tailored to the individual user by utilizing data such as browsing history or location to create personalized ad experiences.

Advantages of Using Interstitial Ad Networks

• High Visibility and Engagement: Interstitial ads take up the entire screen, ensuring that users cannot miss the advertisement. This leads to higher visibility for the ad, making it more likely to capture the user's attention. Since these ads often appear during natural breaks in a user’s journey (e.g., between game levels, page transitions, or app loading screens), they are less intrusive and feel like a natural pause in the experience.
• Enhanced Click-Through Rate (CTR): Due to their high visibility and user interaction, interstitial ads tend to have a higher CTR compared to other ad formats like banners. The full-screen display makes it easier for users to engage with the ad, increasing the likelihood that they will click. The nature of these ads leads to less "banner blindness," where users simply ignore smaller, static banner ads, as interstitial ads are much harder to overlook.
• Effective for Branding and Awareness: Interstitial ads are particularly effective for branding and raising awareness because they provide ample space to showcase a brand’s message or a product. The large format allows advertisers to convey more information through rich media like video, images, and interactive elements. These ads are often used to promote new product launches, upcoming events, or other campaigns that benefit from high visibility.
• Better User Experience (When Used Properly): When strategically placed at appropriate moments (e.g., between levels of a game or after a task completion), interstitial ads can enhance the user experience by offering content or messages that are relevant to the user's journey. If not overly frequent, they feel like a natural part of the experience. As opposed to pop-ups or other aggressive ad formats, interstitial ads are more likely to be accepted by users because they don’t disrupt the flow of their activities as abruptly.
• Monetization Potential: Interstitial ads have a high eCPM (Effective Cost Per Thousand Impressions) due to their increased visibility and engagement rates. This means that publishers can earn more revenue per impression compared to smaller ad formats like banners. The potential for higher CPM rates is also because advertisers are willing to pay more for high-impact ad formats that deliver better engagement and conversion rates.
• Supports Rich Media and Interactivity: Interstitial ads can include rich media, such as full-motion videos, animations, and interactive features, which makes them highly engaging for users. Advertisers can use this flexibility to create more compelling ads that align with the interests of their target audience. Video interstitials are especially popular for mobile apps and games, as they provide a dynamic and immersive experience for users, which can lead to higher engagement levels and potentially better returns.
• Customizability and Targeting: Interstitial ad networks often provide powerful targeting capabilities, enabling advertisers to tailor ads based on user demographics, location, behavior, and more. This increases the relevance of ads, ensuring that users are shown content that aligns with their preferences or needs. Additionally, interstitial ads can be customized in terms of design, messaging, and interactivity, giving advertisers more control over the look and feel of their campaigns.
• Flexibility Across Platforms: Interstitial ads work well across various platforms, including mobile apps, websites, and games. They are especially prevalent in mobile app advertising due to the format's compatibility with smaller screens and its ability to adapt to different orientations (portrait or landscape). This makes them highly versatile, allowing advertisers to reach users in different environments while maintaining consistency across devices.
• Non-Intrusive (If Used Sparingly): Unlike other formats that may appear more disruptive, such as pop-ups or overlay ads, interstitial ads can be non-intrusive if placed thoughtfully. They are often displayed during transitions when the user is already expecting a brief pause, which helps in maintaining a smooth user experience. Additionally, most interstitial ads allow users to skip them after a few seconds, giving them control over when to engage with the ad or move past it.
• Improved Conversion Rates: Interstitial ads are more likely to result in conversions due to their immersive nature. Since users are fully focused on the ad, they have a higher chance of taking the desired action, whether it’s downloading an app, making a purchase, or signing up for a service. The combination of visual impact, full-screen engagement, and relevant targeting increases the likelihood that users will follow through on the ad’s call-to-action.

Types of Users That Use Interstitial Ad Networks

• App Developers: App developers integrate interstitial ads into their mobile applications to generate revenue. These developers rely on interstitial ads as a way to monetize free apps while keeping the user experience relatively intact. Ads are typically shown at natural transition points, such as between levels in a game or when switching screens in productivity apps.
• Website Owners: Website owners use interstitial ads on their platforms to capture visitors' attention and promote products, services, or third-party ads. They often utilize interstitial ads during page transitions or when a visitor enters a page, increasing the likelihood of engagement. For monetization, website owners may use ad networks that specialize in interstitials or integrate third-party services like Google AdSense.
• eCommerce Platforms: eCommerce platforms use interstitial ads to market special offers, sales events, or recommended products to users browsing their online stores. These ads are often shown before or after browsing pages or during the checkout process. They help to increase customer engagement, boost sales, and encourage cross-selling or upselling products.
• Game Developers: Game developers are major users of interstitial ads. These ads are particularly effective in mobile gaming, where developers show ads between levels, during loading screens, or at natural breaks in gameplay. The goal is to maintain user engagement while generating revenue without disrupting the overall experience. Game developers often prefer interstitials as they are less intrusive than other ad formats.
• Media and Content Publishers: Online publishers of news, videos, blogs, and other content use interstitial ads to monetize their traffic. These ads are shown to users either when they first land on a page or when they click to navigate to another piece of content. The intent is to capture the user’s attention at the beginning of their browsing experience or as they switch between content, offering high-value visibility for advertisers.
• Advertising Networks/Platforms: Ad networks, which connect advertisers with publishers, use interstitial ads as part of their portfolio of ad formats. These networks include major players like Google AdMob, Tapjoy, and others, offering interstitial ads as a means for app developers and website owners to earn revenue. Ad networks help place these ads in the right context and ensure advertisers reach the appropriate audience.
• Digital Marketers: Digital marketers use interstitial ads as part of their broader advertising strategies. They target specific audiences with visually rich, high-impact ads designed to create a lasting impression. Marketers may also use interstitial ads to push limited-time offers, promotional discounts, or brand awareness campaigns, with the goal of driving conversions or engagement.
• Advertisers (Brands and Businesses): Advertisers or brands looking to directly promote their products, services, or campaigns use interstitial ads for their ability to capture full-screen attention. These ads are often part of large-scale campaigns aimed at driving brand awareness or increasing sales. Interstitials allow advertisers to stand out in a crowded digital space, leveraging immersive, high-visibility ads.
• Mobile App Marketers: Mobile app marketers employ interstitial ads within other apps to promote their own apps, games, or mobile-based services. Interstitial ads can be effective for user acquisition by showcasing a compelling offer or app functionality. By strategically placing interstitials, mobile app marketers can maximize download rates and increase their app’s visibility.
• Video Content Creators: Video content creators and video platform owners use interstitial ads as a monetization tool, often in-between video content or during natural breaks in video streams. For creators, these ads provide an additional revenue stream, especially on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or other video-sharing sites. The interstitials are inserted either before or after a video, or sometimes even mid-roll.
• Subscription Service Providers: Subscription-based service providers (such as streaming services, news outlets, and online learning platforms) use interstitial ads to promote their subscription offers. These ads may appear when a user first visits a site or app, encouraging them to sign up for premium memberships or trial subscriptions. These ads are particularly effective for enticing users into a conversion funnel.
• Coupon and Deal Sites: Websites and apps focused on offering coupons, discounts, and deals use interstitial ads to advertise their best offers to visitors. Users are shown these ads during transitions, either when navigating between different deals or when users first land on the site. These ads may showcase time-sensitive offers, ensuring high user interaction during peak promotional periods.
• Travel and Hospitality Services: Companies in the travel and hospitality industry, including airlines, hotels, and car rental services, use interstitial ads to advertise special offers, discounts, and exclusive packages. These ads are strategically placed when users are looking for travel options or navigating between destinations or booking pages. The aim is to increase booking rates and ensure that travelers don't miss key offers.
• Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, utilize interstitial ads to monetize their free services. These ads are typically shown during content transitions, such as scrolling between posts, in-app content loading screens, or between user interactions. Interstitial ads help social platforms maximize revenue from users while maintaining user engagement within the app.
• Technology and Gadget Companies: Tech companies and gadget retailers use interstitial ads to promote their latest products and devices. Whether it’s smartphones, wearables, or other tech gadgets, these ads are shown during natural breaks, like when transitioning between categories or product pages. They are often used to boost interest in upcoming product launches or sales events.

How Much Do Interstitial Ad Networks Cost?

The cost of interstitial ad networks can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of campaign, target audience, and the platform where the ads are being placed. Typically, pricing models for these ads are based on either Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM) or Cost Per Click (CPC). With CPM, advertisers pay a fixed amount for every 1,000 impressions their ads receive, while with CPC, advertisers only pay when a user clicks on the ad. CPM rates can range from a few dollars to more, depending on the ad's reach and placement, whereas CPC rates often depend on the competitiveness of the target keywords and the user engagement.

In addition to the campaign type, the cost can also be influenced by the geographical location of the target audience. Ads targeted toward users in more developed countries tend to cost more due to higher demand and greater potential for conversions. The size and frequency of interstitial ads can also play a role in the pricing, with larger ads or those shown more frequently typically costing more. Advertisers must also consider any additional fees related to creative development, optimization, and other campaign management services, which can increase the overall cost of running interstitial ads.

What Software Do Interstitial Ad Networks Integrate With?

Interstitial ad networks are commonly integrated into various types of software, particularly in the mobile app and web development sectors. These types of software typically include mobile applications, games, and websites that support ad monetization strategies. For mobile applications, interstitial ads are often used in apps developed for platforms like iOS and Android. These ads are displayed at natural transition points in the app, such as during screen changes or between levels in a game. Mobile game development software, such as Unity or Unreal Engine, is frequently used to integrate interstitial ad networks, as these platforms have native support for ad SDKs (software development kits) that allow the integration of interstitial ads.

In addition to mobile apps, web-based software can also integrate interstitial ads. Websites or web apps, especially those with a high volume of traffic, can display interstitial ads using JavaScript or HTML5 solutions. Many content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Joomla have plugins or built-in features that allow developers to easily insert these ads into their web pages.

Some advertising networks also offer SDKs that are compatible with desktop software applications, allowing developers to integrate interstitial ads into desktop apps. This type of integration is less common but still possible, particularly with ad networks that provide cross-platform support.

Essentially, any software with a viewable interface, especially those that require user engagement, can potentially integrate interstitial ads, as long as they allow for the insertion of third-party advertising code. Integration typically involves adding an SDK or API that allows the ad network to serve ads at designated points during the user’s interaction with the software.

What Are the Trends Relating to Interstitial Ad Networks?

• Increased Use of Mobile Devices: Interstitial ads are becoming more popular with the rise of mobile devices. These ads are designed to fill the screen and capture the user's attention, making them more effective for mobile apps and games.
• Higher Engagement Rates: Interstitial ads often result in higher engagement rates compared to other ad formats. Their full-screen nature makes them more noticeable, which leads to more clicks or interactions.
• Rich Media and Interactive Ads: Advertisers are increasingly adopting rich media and interactive formats within interstitial ads. These types of ads allow users to interact with the content, increasing engagement and enhancing user experience.
• Contextual Targeting: Interstitial ad networks are focusing more on delivering ads that are contextually relevant to users. This means ads are tailored based on user behavior, preferences, and app usage, leading to higher relevancy and better user experience.
• Increased Frequency and Ad Fatigue: While interstitial ads can be effective, showing them too frequently can lead to ad fatigue. Users may become frustrated with too many interruptions, leading to negative reactions or ad block usage. Balancing frequency is crucial for maintaining effectiveness.
• Programmatic Advertising Growth: Interstitial ads are becoming a prominent part of programmatic advertising. Ad networks are using automated processes to target users in real-time, optimizing the placement and performance of interstitial ads across various platforms.
• User Consent and Privacy Regulations: With the introduction of privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, advertisers need to ensure they obtain user consent before displaying interstitial ads. This has led to more transparent and ethical advertising practices, focusing on data privacy.
• Video and Audio Integration: Video interstitials are increasingly being used, especially in mobile gaming apps. These ads offer high engagement potential as they blend seamlessly with the gaming experience. Video content can be more effective than static images or banners.
• Increased Focus on App Monetization: Interstitial ads are a significant revenue source for app developers, especially for free-to-play mobile apps. As developers focus on monetizing their apps, interstitial ads are seen as a key component of their overall advertising strategy.
• Dynamic Content and Personalization: There is a trend towards dynamically changing interstitial ad content based on user data. This personalization makes ads more engaging and relevant, helping to drive conversions and user actions.
• Transition to Native Ads: Some interstitial ads are evolving into native ads, where the ad experience is integrated into the app’s design. Native interstitials feel less disruptive because they are designed to mimic the app's interface, leading to higher engagement rates.
• Focus on Cross-Platform Campaigns: Interstitial ads are no longer limited to mobile apps. Many ad networks now offer cross-platform campaigns, allowing brands to reach users across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
• Ad Blocking Concerns: With the rise of ad blockers, particularly on mobile devices, advertisers are working on making interstitial ads less intrusive and more user-friendly. This includes offering options like rewarded ads, where users are incentivized to engage with the ad.
• Optimized User Experience: There's a growing focus on improving the user experience with interstitial ads. Ad networks are experimenting with ways to make interstitials less intrusive, such as using shorter ad durations or providing users with a "skip" option after a few seconds.
• Increased Investment in Ad Networks: More ad networks are investing in technology and tools to optimize interstitial ad delivery. These advancements allow advertisers to better target specific audiences and adjust ad content in real-time, boosting the effectiveness of the ads.
• Ad Viewability and Analytics: Advertisers are becoming more data-driven, with a focus on measuring the viewability of interstitial ads. Enhanced analytics help determine the optimal placement and timing for ads to maximize engagement and minimize ad fatigue.

How To Pick the Right Interstitial Ad Network

Selecting the right interstitial ad network requires careful consideration of several factors that can impact the performance of your ads and the user experience. The first step is to understand the audience you are targeting. Different ad networks have various strengths in terms of the demographics they serve, so choosing a network that aligns with your target market is essential. You also need to assess the ad formats and types offered by each network. Since interstitial ads are full-screen ads, it is important to select a network that provides engaging and visually appealing ad formats that don't disrupt the user experience too much.

Another key consideration is the network's performance in terms of eCPM (effective cost per thousand impressions). Comparing the eCPM rates across different networks will give you an idea of which network can maximize your revenue potential. Alongside this, it’s also crucial to check the fill rate, which indicates how often the network can deliver ads. A higher fill rate means the network is more reliable in terms of ad delivery, ensuring you don't miss out on ad revenue.

User experience is another critical factor. Since interstitial ads can be intrusive, you need to find a network that prioritizes user-friendly ads and offers customizable options, allowing you to control when and how often ads are shown. Look for networks that have optimization tools and targeting features, as this will help in delivering the right ads at the right time, improving both engagement and conversion rates.

Support and transparency should not be overlooked either. It is important to choose a network that provides strong customer support and transparency in reporting, allowing you to track ad performance, monitor revenue, and make adjustments as needed. Lastly, consider the network's reputation and the quality of its advertisers. Networks with a solid reputation tend to have better-quality ads, which will improve the overall experience for your users.

Compare interstitial ad networks according to cost, capabilities, integrations, user feedback, and more using the resources available on this page.