What are Interstitial Ad Networks and Platforms

Looking through the large number of advertising formats such as video ads, banner ads, push, pops, mobile ads, etc., it sometimes becomes difficult for advertisers and publishers to choose the best practices for optimizing ad revenue and user engagement. Interstitial ads, in particular, have become increasingly popular because they effectively grab users’ attention. These full-screen ads appear at logical transition points within an app or website, allowing advertisers to present their products without significantly disrupting the user experience.

With AffRoom, you can delve deeper into the world of interstitial ad platforms and networks that are considered the best ones in affiliate marketing in 2025.

What is Interstitial Ad Format: Meaning

Interstitial ads is an advertising format which takes up the entire screen of a laptop or phone. Usually they pop up at natural breaks in an app or game. The user can have two options: click on it and move on to the offer or close the ad and proceed with the app or game.

What is Interstitial Ad Format

Differences Between Interstitial and Pop Ads

You can mix up interstitial ads with pop ads because they may look like similar to you, but these formats have differences:

  1. While pop ups are smaller windows that open on top of the current webpage or app, without covering the entire screen, interstitial ads take over the whole screen, blocking the underlying content completely;
  2. Users can usually close pops quickly, but having several pop-ups at once can make the experience feel cluttered. What concerns interstitials, users often have to wait a few seconds before they can close these ads, or they might need to click on the ad to proceed;
  3. Pop ads can feel intrusive, especially if they appear frequently or unexpectedly, leading to user frustration. Although interstitials can also interrupt, interstitials are often better received when they appear at logical stopping points in the content.

In general, both pop ads and interstitial ads aim to grab user attention, but they do so in different ways.

Types of Interstitial Ads

There are several types of interstitial ads, so let’s have a quick look at them:

  • Static Interstitial Ads: These are basic images or graphics that don’t include any motion or interactive elements. You can use them for building brand awareness or conveying a straightforward message without distractions;
  • Video Interstitial Ads: Full-screen video advertisements that either play automatically or require user activation to start. Ideal for storytelling or showcasing products, often resulting in higher engagement;
  • Countdown Timer Interstitial Ads: Ads that include a timer, showing users how long they must wait before they can close it. Creates a sense of urgency, encouraging quick interaction, often used for limited-time promotions;
  • Survey or Poll Interstitial Ads: Ads that ask users to complete a survey or poll before they can continue. They are useful for collecting user feedback while providing a brief interruption in their experience.

Using different types of interstitial ads, advertisers can tailor their approach based on their goals, target audience, and the intended user experience. Selecting the right format can significantly enhance engagement and overall effectiveness.

How Interstitial Ad Networks Work?

When a user visits a website, a request is automatically sent to the publisher’s ad network to deliver an interstitial ad.

The ad network has a range of interstitials from various advertisers and matches them to the incoming traffic to ensure the ads are relevant. Once an ad is selected, it appears on the publisher’s site, typically as a full-screen ad featuring the main message against a dimmed background. Users might see these ads immediately after landing on a website or while navigating between pages.

If shortly, interstitial ad networks involves 3 main steps:

  1. Sign Up: As a publisher (app developer or a website owner), you start by joining the network and integrating their code into your platform. This sets up specific areas where interstitial ads can be displayed;
  2. Advertisers Join: Businesses seeking to promote their products or services connect with the network. They specify their target audience, budget, and the ad format they want, which in this case is interstitial ads;
  3. Matching and Display: The network employs advanced algorithms to pair advertisers with publishers whose audiences match the desired demographics. When a user hits a designated transition point, the network serves a relevant ad, boosting the likelihood of engagement.
How Interstitial Ad Networks Work

Also, interstitial ad networks perform such functions as:

1. Ad Inventory and Supply

  • Publishers: Websites and apps work with ad networks to make money by placing interstitial ads on their websites and blogs. They provide the ad space where these ads will be shown;
  • Advertisers: Brands create ad campaigns and set budgets to run interstitial ads to reach specific audiences.

2. Ad Delivery

  • Real-Time Bidding (RTB): Many interstitial ad networks use real-time bidding to auction off ad inventory. Advertisers bid on available inventory and the highest bidder gets the ad spot;
  • Ad Loading: Once an ad is selected, it’s loaded and shown to the user in a full screen format.

3. Tracking and Analytics

  • Performance Metrics: Ad networks track user interactions with interstitial ads, like impressions, clicks and conversion rates. This data helps advertisers measure the success of their campaigns;
  • Optimization: Using the performance data, both ad networks and advertisers can refine their strategy, target different audiences or change ad creatives to improve performance.

How Do Interstitial Ads Networks Bill Advertisers?

Interstitial ads are characterized by high click-through rate (CTR) as users are more likely to click.

So, interstitial ad networks usually use such pricing methods as CPM (Cost Per Mile), CPC (Cost Per Click), and CPA (Cost Per Action). This flexibility enables them to select the strategy that best fits their campaign goals and budget, ultimately improving ad performance and increasing revenue for both advertisers and publishers.

Note: Because of interstitial ads large size and prominent placement, they usually achieve higher CPM rates as well compared to smaller display ads. Thus, don’t waste your time, try to launch your first campaigns — and you will definitely get the first good results!

Interstitial Ads Networks: Pros & Cons

Let’s look through the main benefits of interstitial ads as well as their cons in affiliate marketing:

  • Maximum Visibility: Because interstitial ads cover the entire screen, they effectively capture users’ attention. This leads to improved engagement and higher click-through rates, as users are less likely to overlook these ads compared to smaller formats;
  • High Engagement: When timed well and targeted effectively, interstitial ads present a fantastic chance to connect with the target audience. This is why they often achieve high rates of impressions and engagement;
  • Compatibility with different platforms: Interstitial ads are designed to function seamlessly across various desktop and mobile devices. You can encounter these ads on desktops, Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, and various web browsers.
  • Disrupting User Experience: If these ads aren’t placed strategically at natural transition points in an app, they can break the flow of user activity, leading to frustration and negative feedback;
  • Ad Fatigue: When users see the same interstitial ad over and over again, they get annoyed and less likely to engage with the content. Overexposure can reduce the ad’s effectiveness and overall user satisfaction.

How to Choose the Best Interstitial Ad Network

There are basic advices that can help to choose a top interstitial advertising platform for publishers and advertisers

1. Reputation

It’s crucial to investigate the interstitial ad platforms’ reputation. Look for online reviews from other publishers and advertisers to understand their experiences and assess how effective the network is at delivering results.

2. Support System

Challenges are bound to arise. It’s important to find out if the network provides dependable customer support to help with technical problems or answer any inquiries you may have. Having responsive support can facilitate a smooth partnership and assist you in overcoming obstacles.

3. Monetization Strategies

Take the time to check out the interstitial advertising network’s options and choose the one that works best for you. CPM for max revenue based on impressions, CPC if you want to focus on user clicks. Also, pay attention to payment terms and minimum payout thresholds. Understanding the payment process and timeline is key so look for networks with clear and transparent policies to avoid delays in getting your money.

4. Reach

Size of the ad network is crucial because you want to ensure there’s sufficient inventory available in your target area. A limited reach can hinder your ability to test and scale your campaigns, leading to a low click-through rate (CTR). It may also confine you to only a few geographic locations.

On the other hand, an ad network with a global reach can provide more inventory, higher CTRs, and lower costs, all of which can enhance your return on investment (ROI).

5. Ad Formats

When we talk about interstitial advertising networks, it means that you are looking for platforms with this format. However, the availability of other different ad formats opens up even more opportunities for both advertisers and publishers.

So, pay attention to the networks that suggest native ads, pop-up ads, push notifications, mobile, and others. Test them all and choose the most profitable one for you.

Final Thoughts

In digital advertising, interstitial ads have emerged as a compelling option for both advertisers and publishers. By recognizing their distinct advantages and choosing the right ad network, you can enhance user engagement and optimize your revenue.As you explore different possibilities, consider key aspects such as the interstitial advertising network’s reputation, customer support, monetization options, and payment conditions. Each of these elements is vital for establishing a fruitful partnership. With the right strategy, interstitial ads can elevate your advertising impact while providing a more engaging experience for users.