What Are Pop Ads in Affiliate Marketing and How to Make Money with Them in 2024

September 20, 2024

Pop ads are quite an old advertising format that has not lost its relevance and remains very popular among media buyers. In this article from the experts at ROIads, a leading pop ad network, we will dive into all the details about pop ads: we’ll explore the technical aspects, walk you through how to launch a campaign, and take a close look at how to make money with them. We’ll also discuss the main advantages of this type of advertising, show you how to use it effectively to get maximum returns, and offer practical tips for optimization.

And if anyone thinks pop ads are a thing of the past, we’re here to prove otherwise: this format is not just alive — it’s still dominating. So buckle up, because we’re about to take your campaigns to the next level!

What Is Pop Ad?

Pop ads are a type of online advertising that automatically opens in a new window or browser tab when a user interacts with a webpage. This can happen when the page loads, when the user clicks on certain elements, or when the main window is closed. According to the pop ad definition, there are two main types of pop ads: popup and popunder. Both formats are designed to grab users’ attention with advertising content, but they function slightly differently.

Types of Pop Ads

  1. Popup Ads

Popups open in a new window over the main page. This format instantly grabs attention as it overlays the content and requires the user to either close the window or interact with the ad. However, this type of ad can sometimes irritate users due to its intrusive nature. To avoid this, it’s crucial to carefully configure the frequency of ad displays. How to do this and what display frequency works best — we’ll explain below.

  1. Popunder Ads

Unlike popups, popunder ads open in a new window beneath the active browser window. The user only sees it after closing the main window or switching between tabs. This format is less intrusive but still quite effective, as it doesn’t interrupt the interaction with the main content, yet remains visible for the user later on.

How Do Pop Ads Work?

Popups operate based on JavaScript code embedded into web pages. When a user visits the page or performs specific actions (such as clicking or closing a tab), the code is triggered and opens a new window with the ad. This process happens instantly and automatically, without requiring any additional interaction from the user for the ad to appear.

Pop ads are typically used to promote specific products or services to encourage immediate user actions — such as registration, newsletter sign-ups, purchases, or app downloads.

Why You Should Advertise with Pops

Pop ad remain a relevant advertising tool even after years of existence. Despite the emergence of new formats like native ads or video, pop ads continue to deliver impressive results. Here are the key reasons why the format is still popular and effective.

  • High Visibility

Pop ads are nearly impossible to ignore. They appear directly in front of the user, unlike banners, which can be easily overlooked. This makes them effective when the goal of a campaign is, for example, to increase brand or product awareness. In verticals like iGaming or betting, where immediate user action is crucial, pop ads deliver results in no time.

  • Low Cost

Pop ads are considered one of the cheapest traffic sources in digital advertising. They are definitely more affordable than ads on platforms like Facebook and Google Ads, where the cost per thousand impressions (CPM) can be significantly higher. For example, on Facebook, the average CPM can range from $5 to $10, and on Google Ads — $10 to $15, depending on the competitiveness of the niche. In contrast, pops CPM is usually around $0.5 to $8, making them a much more cost-effective option for attracting traffic. In highly competitive verticals like betting, gambling, or antivirus, advertisers choose pop ads as a quick way to drive traffic with minimal expenses.

  • Instant Response

Pop ads create a sense of urgency, prompting users to react quickly. Users often click on such ads to close the window quickly, but this also draws their attention to the promoted product or offer. As a result, this can increase conversion rates.

  • Flexibility

Pop-ups can be adapted for any goal — from increasing brand awareness to generating direct response (e.g., newsletter sign-ups, registrations, app downloads). They are easy to customize for specific target audiences and verticals, making them a versatile tool for advertisers.

The Role of Landing Pages and Pre-Landing Pages in Increasing Conversions for Pop Advertising

Landing pages and pre-landing pages are the only point of contact with the user in pop advertising, as there are no creatives involved. This makes them the most important part of the entire campaign. The success of engaging the user and driving them to take the desired action depends entirely on the quality of these pages.

What is a Landing Page

A landing page is the webpage users land on after clicking an ad. It is often a standalone page specifically designed for a particular offer, product, or promotion. The main goal of a landing page is to quickly and effectively communicate the value of the offer and prompt the user to take a specific action, such as submitting their contact details, registering, purchasing a product, or downloading an app.

Key Objectives of a Landing Page:

  1. Focus on the Call to Action: A landing page should have no distractions. It is designed with a single goal in mind — conversion.
  2. Brevity and Clarity: Clearly crafted headlines, a simple structure, and an obvious call to action (CTA) all help users make decisions quickly and easily.
  3. Mobile Optimization: Since a significant portion of pop traffic comes from mobile devices, landing pages should be optimized for seamless use on smartphone screens.

What is a Pre-Landing Page?

A pre-landing page is an intermediary page between the ad and the landing page. Its purpose is to warm up the user’s interest by providing additional information about the product or offer. Pre-landing pages can include reviews, social proof (such as customer testimonials), case studies, or details about the unique benefits of the product.

  1. Warming Up Interest: A pre-landing page generates interest before redirecting the user to the main landing page. It can be used to explain complex offers or build trust in the brand.
  2. Audience Filtering: A pre-landing page helps filter out irrelevant users, leaving only those genuinely interested in the product. This increases the likelihood of conversion on the next step.
  3. Creating Anticipation: Pre-landing pages can create a sense of urgency or exclusivity, motivating the user to take action on the landing page.

Rules for Creating High-Converting Landing and Pre-Landing Pages for Pop Ads

So, we’ve already established that landing and pre-landing pages are key elements of pop advertising that directly impact conversion rates. Now, let’s outline a set of rules to help create high-converting pages.

Rules for Creating High-Converting PagesDescription
Keep it simple and minimalisticThe landing page should be clean and easy to understand: clear headline, concise text, and simple call-to-action (CTA). Remove any unnecessary elements that might distract users.
Focus on one actionThe page should encourage users to take one specific action, whether it’s registration, purchase, or download.
Provide a compelling offerClearly show what the user will gain. Use social proof, promotional offers, and highlight unique product benefits.
Optimize for mobile devicesEnsure the page loads quickly and is easy to use on smartphones and tablets. Make buttons large and easy to tap.
Use pre-landing pages to warm up interestUse pre-landing pages to spark interest before the main offer: include testimonials, reviews, or case studies to build trust.
Segment and personalizeTailor pages to different audience segments, considering geography, interests, and user behavior.
Clear and visually appealing designThe design should be pleasant and focused on highlighting key elements like the headline and CTA.
Test and optimizeRun A/B testing on headlines, CTAs, images, and other elements to improve conversion rates.
Minimize forms and fieldsThe fewer fields to fill out, the more likely users will complete the action. Only ask for what’s absolutely necessary.

Which Verticals Work Well with Pop Traffic

Pop traffic is a versatile tool that can be used in various industries. Pop ads are effective at grabbing attention and achieving quick results. Since pop ads reach a very broad audience, it’s important that advertising offers are clear and appealing to as many people as possible, rather than being too narrowly focused. However, not all industries are equally suitable for pop advertising, so it’s crucial to understand which ones yield the best results. Here’s the list:

  1. Gambling: Quickly grabs attention with bonuses and promotions, ideal for instant conversions.
  2. Betting: Plays on the urgency of placing bets, attracting users with favorable odds and bonuses.
  3. Telecom: Pop ads effectively communicate new rates and promotions, drawing in new customers.
  4. Antivirus: Fast response to security threats, motivating users to install software.
  5. Dating: An emotional niche where popups effectively capture attention and drive registrations.

Features of Pop Traffic in ROIads

Every ad network has its own unique characteristics that impact the effectiveness of campaigns. ROIads is a pop ad network focused on maximizing results through high-quality traffic and advanced technologies. Here are the key factors to help you better understand the specifics of pop traffic in our network: we’ve gathered information on top verticals, geos, devices, and operating systems.

Top Verticals for Pop Advertising in ROIads

ROIads is an advertising network specializing in pop traffic, making it perfectly suited for the verticals we mentioned earlier. Popups and popunders remain some of the most effective formats for attracting users in these niches.

These verticals convert exceptionally well in ROIads thanks to premium traffic, smart targeting systems, AI-bidding technology, and flexible campaign settings. If your offer falls into one of these niches, pop advertising on the ROIads platform is an excellent choice for quickly driving traffic and boosting conversions.

A bit more about AI-bidding: we offer advanced technology that automatically selects the most converting traffic sources. The system optimizes campaigns in real time, increasing conversions and ROI without extra effort from advertisers. This allows them to focus on scaling, while the technology handles the heavy lifting.

Traffic Geography in ROIads

  • Reach: Over 9.6 billion impressions per month
  • Geography: 150 countries
  • Ad Formats: Pop and Push Ads
  • Platform Features: AI-bidding technology, premium traffic sources, a personal account manager, black and white lists, as well as exclusive creatives upon request.

One of the key features of ROIads is its wide geographic reach. We cover traffic from over 150 countries, making the network an excellent choice for global advertising campaigns. However, there are key geos that convert especially well in pop advertising.

🇮🇩 Indonesia: A top region in terms of traffic volume and conversion. High user activity, especially on mobile devices, makes Indonesia an ideal country for scaling campaigns.

🇺🇸 USA: Despite high competition, the American market remains attractive due to the purchasing power of its audience and the large traffic volume. This is especially important for verticals like dating and antivirus.

🇧🇩 Bangladesh: One of the growing countries in digital advertising. With a significant amount of mobile traffic, Bangladesh is an interesting geo for low-budget but scalable campaigns.

🇻🇳 Vietnam: Vietnam shows high user engagement and excellent conversion rates, particularly in betting and gambling verticals.

🇩🇪 Germany: One of the leading European markets where users actively engage with pop advertising, especially through desktop devices. For niche offers like telecom services, this region is key.

Device Types in Pop Traffic in ROIads

Pop traffic in ROIads shows a clear trend in user device preferences when interacting with ad content. This data helps advertisers fine-tune their campaigns for better targeting and maximize effectiveness.

  • Mobile Devices (85%): The majority of pop traffic comes from mobile phones. This is unsurprising, as mobile users are always on the move and frequently encounter ads in browsers and apps. Mobile devices are ideal for pop-up ads, as these ads immediately capture attention and prompt action.
  • Desktops (10%): Although desktops rank second, their role should not be underestimated. Pop ads on desktops are often found on news websites, forums, and other platforms where users are more engaged and spend more time. This is particularly relevant for campaigns promoting complex products such as antivirus software or telecom services.
  • Tablets (5%): While tablet traffic makes up a smaller portion, it is still important for niche campaigns where user habits and device type influence behavior. Tablets are often used at home, making them a significant factor for targeting specific campaigns.

How to Launch a Pop Ad Campaign

Launching a pop ad campaign in ROIads is a simple and intuitive process that allows you to quickly set up a campaign to achieve maximum results. Below are the key steps to help you launch a successful pop ad campaign.

Step 1: Register on ROIads

To get started, you need to create an account on the ROIads platform. The registration process takes just a few minutes. After entering basic information (name, email, password) and confirming your account, you’ll gain access to your dashboard, where you can begin setting up your campaign.

Step 2: Fund Your Account

Before launching your campaign, you need to fund your account. The minimum deposit in ROIads is $250, with available payment methods including bank cards, wire transfers, and Capitalist. You can also discuss additional payment methods with your account manager if needed.

Step 3: Choose Your Ad Format

After funding your account, proceed to select the ad format. ROIads offers two main formats: Pop Ads (which includes both popup and popunder formats) and Push Ads. For this campaign, select Pop Ads since they are the primary focus.

Step 4: Upload Your Landing or Pre-Landing Page

Upload the landing or pre-landing page that will be used for the campaign. Landing pages are the key point of contact with the user, as there are no creatives in pop advertising. Ensure that your pages are mobile-optimized and load quickly to enhance user experience and improve conversion rates.

Step 5: Targeting Setup

In the targeting setup phase, you’ll need to define the key parameters of your campaign:

  • Geography: Select the countries where you want to direct traffic. With the Region and City targeting option, you can narrow down your focus even further to specific regions and cities.
  • Technological Targeting: To customize your targeting based on devices, operating systems (OS), browsers, and connection types, enable the Technology targeting option. This allows for more precise control over who sees your ads based on their technology preferences.

Step 6: Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy

At this stage, you’ll need to set your cost per thousand impressions (CPM) and define a target cost per action (CPA). In ROIads, the system will automatically suggest a recommended CPM based on the selected geo, helping you align with the most effective rates for your specific region.

Step 7: Set the Frequency of Impressions

At this stage, it’s important to establish how often users will see your ads. You can limit the number of times the same user views your ad over a certain period. The optimal setting is 1 impression per day per user, which helps avoid oversaturation and user irritation while keeping your ad in their view. If you have a time-sensitive promotion or limited offer, you can increase the frequency to 2-3 times per day to boost conversion chances.​

Step 8: Additional Targeting Settings

At this stage, you can refine your campaign targeting with additional options. Each of these settings helps narrow down your audience and improve the relevance of your ad impressions. To configure these parameters, click the yellow button at the bottom of the dashboard.

  • Carrier Targeting: Allows you to display ads to users on specific mobile carriers. This is useful for campaigns focused on telecom services.
  • ISP Targeting: Targets users based on their internet service provider, which is helpful for services like VPNs or antivirus software.
  • Browser Language Targeting: Lets you show ads to users whose browsers are set to specific languages, ensuring more precise targeting for language-specific audiences.
  • Timetable: Allows you to set specific time intervals for displaying ads. This is useful for campaigns that need to be shown during certain hours or days when your audience is most active.
  • Whitelist / Blacklist: Enables you to add traffic sources to a whitelist (for priority display) or a blacklist (to exclude low-quality sources). This helps improve campaign performance by only showing ads on trusted platforms.

Step 9: Launch Your Campaign

After completing all the settings, click the “Launch Campaign” button. The system will begin displaying your ads in the selected geos and on the chosen devices.

Step 10: Monitoring and Optimization

Once your campaign is live, it’s important to regularly monitor its performance. The ROIads dashboard provides detailed reports on each parameter — from impressions to conversions. Use this data to make adjustments: disable ineffective traffic sources, add new geos, or adjust your bids. The AI-bidding system will automatically help optimize your bids and improve overall campaign performance.

Conclusion

We’ve covered the key aspects of pop traffic: the fundamental concepts, its benefits and features, and provided a step-by-step guide to creating a successful campaign. What is a pop ad? It’s an effective way to reach a broad audience and achieve high conversion rates, making pop advertising a powerful tool for driving traffic and conversions.

Now that you know how to launch a campaign, it’s the perfect time to register with ROIads and start driving traffic that delivers real results. Launch your pop ad campaign today and see for yourself how easy it is to profit with high-quality traffic!