You’re engrossed in a really interesting news article, and an ad pops up, covering the content. Really annoying, right? That’s how basically companies set out to get your attention, but these ads usually help them collect some very valuable data. It’s sort of a love-hate relationship for many people.
A survey by HubSpot indicates that 58% of users find popups to be annoying. According to Optimonk‘s statistics, the average popup conversion rate stands at 11.09%. The stats are pretty mixed; on the one hand, they do help some businesses boost their email lists, while on the other hand, they annoy many users. Basically, pop-ups turn out to be much more efficient in comparison with regular banners, but they bring along their issues.
Pop-up ads are very attention-grabbing, owing to their very bold nature. This will go a lot toward improving the level of visibility and conversion of leads. However, pop-up ads can be extremely intrusive. Now, let’s look at the pop-up ads’ pros and cons, and weigh their benefits against the drawbacks with real data from the world.
Advantages of pop-up ads
Yes, we all grumble when some pop-up troubles us. But believe it or not, they do have some advantages for users also:
Instant attention grabber
This one pro is a biggie. It immediately grabs your attention. Say you are searching for a new coffee maker and you are just about to give up when a pop-up flashes with an amazing deal on exactly what you want. This instant attention will save you from moving through pages upon pages of search results. This really can be a godsend when time is of the essence.
Relevance factor
Then, of course, there is the relevance factor. Most pop-ups use your browsing history to throw up content that might be of interest to you. If you are a techno-freak, for instance, popping onto a site might raise ads regarding the latest gadgets. This can really hit home with the right audience in terms of matching tastes and needs.
Surprising free resources
Those one-off times when pop-ups come with nice surprises, such as free resources—think e-books, guides, and software. Those small bits of value could turn an otherwise minor annoyance into a nice little find.
Exclusive deals
Pop-ups can also sometimes remind you about special deals and limited-time events. Now, picture this: you’ve been looking to buy these sneakers, and then a pop-up lets you know there’s a flash sale. Yes, they are annoying, but sometimes they do come with something very useful.
Disadvantages of pop-up ads
It’s not hard to admit it—pop-ups also have their bad sides, and it’s quite a lot. Here are some disadvantages that make them frustrating for users:
Disruption of focus
Ever been engaged in an article, only to have a pop-up cut in? It’s infuriating and just breaks the focus completely. These unsolicited distractions will sour your whole session of browsing, and then become really hard to again gain that same engagement level and focus. Frustration can persist, tainting the overall experience of the site.
Cluttered browsing
They can also clutter your on-screen browsing experience. Have you experienced visiting a website when you tried to tap on something and then a pop-up suddenly got in your way? It is a maze to navigate with hidden traps and digital clutter, making it painful just to reach the content you came for.
Speed issues
Another downside is the speed issues; pages are really slow due to popups laden with multimedia elements. Sometimes it just gets frustrating sitting there, waiting for a page to load, feeling like you could be doing something more productive.
Negative perception
And then there is the negative perception. Sites that are bothered by pop-ups all over the place come off as spammy or sites that you can’t trust.
Privacy concerns
Furthermore, pop-ups sometimes allow for privacy issues. Some popup ads trace user activity, collecting personal information in the process without express consent. This is an invasion of privacy that can make one uneasy and untrusting, knowing his personal information might be harvested for targeted advertisement or, worse, sold to third parties.
Block pop-ups with Poper Blocker
Poper Blocker has a solution in store for you if you are just too tired of too many ads and frustrating popups. This browser extension (Available for Chrome and Edge) can stop pop-up ads—from the most annoying ones to advanced pop-up overlays—so nothing would disturb your screen and, thus, your mind. Thanks to this tool, you can stay focused on the content that you want to see by excluding annoying interruptions for a more peaceful browsing experience. 
One nice touch is the whitelisting of some trusted sites so that you get to have those useful popups without the majority of intrusive ones. This will let you still benefit from important notifications or offers from your favorite sites and just be rid of unwanted advertising.
The ultimate goal is clear: to block popup ads on your screen, enhancing your online experience. By removing these distractions, this tool increases your productivity and enjoyment while being on the web.
So, why not take matters into your own hands with Poper Blocker and make a difference? You will almost immediately realize that there is a much cleaner and more fun way to browse.
FAQs
Are all pop-up blockers the same?
Not really. While most of them try to block advertisements, there are differences with regard to effectiveness and features. What makes Poper Blocker different from the rest is that it effectively blocks various types of pop-up ads while letting users whitelist websites easily.
How do I turn off pop-ups in my browser?
The process is quite simple. Most browsers come with pop-up blocking settings. Anyway, for a deeper and more solid solution, you can install Poper Blocker. This is an extension that allows filtering unnecessary pop-up windows out of your sight, bringing some additional order to your web browsing process.
Can pop-up ads be harmful to my computer or device?
Not all, but some pop-ups come with malice. They can carry malware that puts your device at risk. Using a reliable pop-up blocker can protect you from these lurking dangers.
Do pop-up ads degrade website performance?
Absolutely. Sites filled with popups are generally slow, irritating users over time. Blocking these interruptions leads to smoother and faster site performance.
Is it necessary to block every pop-up?
Not all popups are annoying. Some of them actually bring very useful information or provide exclusive deals. Make sure to turn on the customizable settings available in tools like Poper Blocker to block spam pop-ups and let through those that are useful.