Best Pop-Under Ad Networks for Publishers

If you are looking for a subtle but effective ad format, pop-under ads are unassuming, but ridiculously convertible. These ads open in a separate browser window behind the active one. Users only notice them after they close their main tab, making the engagement feel less intrusive and more organic. Because the typically don't scream for attention upfront, pop-under ads have proven to be great for gaming sites, affiliate marketers, and lead generation campaigns. Think of them as digital breadcrumbs—leading users back to an offer at just the right moment when they’ve wrapped up their initial browsing.

And if you thought pop-under ads were just a niche tactic, here’s a fun fact: Pop-under ads are less likely to be blocked by ad blockers and can achieve higher conversion rates than traditional display ads, with an average conversion rate of around 11%. They can usually offer publishers and advertisers special anti-bot filters. And this can ensure you receive 100% quality traffic (source).

The Benefits of Pop-Under Ad Network

• Highly Effective – Since users encounter them after their initial browsing session, there’s a higher chance of engagement rather than an immediate exit.
• Excellent for Lead Generation: Perfect for collecting sign-ups, pushing promotions, and retargeting potential customers without disrupting their current activity.
• Good for Affiliate Marketing: Many affiliate ad networks thrive on pop-unders since they offer solid conversions while staying within compliance guidelines.
• Non-Intrusive and High-Impact: Unlike aggressive banner ads that contend for attention, pop-unders slide in subtly, offering a better user experience while still delivering strong results.

Whether you’re running a high-traffic website or looking for ways to monetize your audience without spamming them, pop-under ads are a smart bet.

How to Choose the Best Pop-under Ad Networks?

You'd want one that’s reliable, profitable, and won’t drive your audience away. Here are some key steps to find the ideal fit:

• Know Your Niche & Audience: Before diving into ad networks, take a step back and analyze your website’s niche. Who visits your site? What kind of content do they consume? A gaming audience might tolerate (or even welcome) pop-unders, while a blog on mindfulness and meditation, probably not so much. Pick a network that aligns with your audience’s expectations.
• Assess Ad Quality: Some pop-under networks serve high-quality, well-designed ads. Poor-quality ads can tank your credibility and drive users away. Opt for networks that prioritize user-friendly, clean, and relevant ad content.
• Payment Terms & Rates: Some networks pay better CPM rates than others. Some have quicker payout durations, or even instant payouts.
• Payment Methods It's best not to get lured in by sky-high CPMs without checking a network's actual payout consistency. A transparent, well-established network is always the safer bet. Also, go for one that offers a mix of payment methods like, PayPal, Wire Transfer, or even crypto.
• User Experience Matters: Look for networks that allow you to control frequency capping (so users don’t get bombarded), customize when and where ads appear, and avoid deceptive ads that could harm trust.
• Ad Targeting & Customization Options: The ideal network should offer demographic targeting (how ads based on age, gender, location), behavioral targeting (serve ads based on users’ browsing habits), and contextual targeting (match ads to your website’s content).
• A/B Testing: Before going all-in with a network, it's best to hedge your bets and conduct A/B tests with multiple networks, to compare ad revenue, user time on site, and ad performance to assess which network serves the most relevant and engaging ads.
• Read User Reviews: Finally, dig into reviews from real publishers. Forums, Reddit, and Publisher Growth are for insights into this.