Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Inescapable Pop Up Ads

There has been an interesting new development in the evolution of pop up ads on mobile formats that is causing frustration for users and potentially even greater damage. You have probably come across this new phenomenon at least once before while using your mobile browser- a pop up ad that doesn’t have an easily found close or exit button and when activated or clicked on, redirects you to the advertiser’s website.

This type of redirecting pop up was usually only found on non-reputable websites, but advertisers are finding creative ways to hide their intentions and these pop up ads are now appearing on NY Times and other well-respected publishers' websites. The reason this eludes publishers is hidden or non-apparent coding or in sufficient screening of ads. What’s even worse is that this type of redirecting pop up ad could expose publishers and users to malware attacks.

The good news is that the industry is becoming increasingly aware of this activity and beginning to be more diligent and cracking down. Publishers have revamped their vetting process for ads, Google is developing Chrome tools to prevent unwanted redirects, and installing mobile ad blockers is another way to combat this problem.

Hopefully this nuisance doesn’t stick around for too long and publishers get wise and limit the ability of advertisers to get through with this type of mobile ad content.  


No comments: