If you’ve ever run ads on your website, you know how frustrating it can be when users simply scroll past them. You spend hours optimizing ad placement, but your click-through rates (CTR) stay low, and your revenue doesn’t improve.
Why does this happen?
Because of something called ad blindness, users subconsciously ignore traditional ads that blend into the background.
Now, imagine if your ad could quietly follow the reader — always visible but never annoying. That’s the magic of sticky ads.
Sticky ads “stick” to a part of the screen as users scroll through the content. Whether you’re reading a blog, news article, or browsing an online store, these ads stay in view, subtly reminding users of their presence.
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about sticky ads — what they are, how they work, and why they’re so effective at boosting both engagement and revenue. By the end of this article, you’ll not only understand sticky ads — you’ll know exactly how to use them to increase ad revenue and engagement without annoying your visitors.
What Are Sticky Ads?
Sticky ads, also known as anchor ads or floating ads, are display ads that remain visible on a webpage even as the user scrolls down.
In simpler words: They “stick” to the top, bottom, or sides of the screen — like a mini banner that stays in sight while you read an article.
Here’s an example:
- You’re reading a news article.
- A narrow ad bar stays fixed at the bottom of your screen.
- You scroll down — the ad doesn’t move.
That’s a sticky ad!
They’re designed to increase ad viewability, which means a higher chance your audience will actually see (and click) the ad.
Sticky ads can appear on:
- Desktop websites (on top, bottom, or sides of the screen)
- Mobile sites (usually as a horizontal bar at the bottom)
- AMP pages (Accelerated Mobile Pages)
- Apps (in a fixed position during content browsing)
Because they’re always visible, sticky ads give advertisers more exposure — and publishers more revenue.
How Sticky Ads Work
Sticky ads use a simple yet smart technique called fixed positioning in web design.
Here’s how it works:
- When a user opens a webpage, a sticky ad loads just like a normal ad.
- As the user scrolls down, instead of disappearing off the screen, the ad stays fixed in one position (like the top, side, or bottom).
- The ad doesn’t move with the page — it stays within the browser’s visible area (called the viewport).
This ensures the ad remains visible for the entire session, which dramatically improves ad viewability — a key metric in digital advertising.
Example:
If a traditional ad appears only for 2 seconds before the user scrolls past it, it counts as a “view.”
But a sticky ad stays visible for 10–15 seconds — multiplying exposure time.
As a result:
- Advertisers get better engagement and click-through rates (CTR).
- Publishers earn higher revenue (measured in CPM — cost per thousand impressions).
In simple terms, sticky ads help you make the same traffic work harder for you.
Types of Sticky Ads
Sticky ads come in different shapes and placements, each serving a different purpose. Let’s explore them one by one — with examples and when to use them.
1. Horizontal Sticky Ads
These are long, banner-shaped ads that appear at the top or bottom of a webpage.
- Top sticky ads sit under your website’s navigation bar.
- Bottom sticky ads rest just above the footer or the bottom edge of the screen.
They are ideal for mobile screens and news/blog layouts because they don’t interrupt the reading flow.
Example sizes: 728×90 (desktop), 320×50 (mobile).
Best for: Publishers who want subtle but consistent visibility across devices.
2. Vertical Sticky Ads
These ads appear on the left or right sidebar of a webpage and stay fixed as users scroll.
They’re especially useful for desktop layouts with wide margins.
Example sizes: 160×600 or 300×600 pixels.
Best for: Blogs, news sites, or long-form content pages where readers scroll deeply.
3. Sidebar Sticky Ads
A sidebar sticky ad usually appears alongside sidebar content — like recommended articles or navigation menus.
They’re great for keeping ads near related content without interrupting the user’s focus.
Best for: Websites with engaging sidebars (like tech blogs or news portals).
4. Mobile Sticky Ads
Optimized for small screens, these are lightweight horizontal ads that stay at the top or bottom of a phone screen.
They perform incredibly well because mobile users scroll continuously — and the sticky ad remains in view almost the entire time.
Best for: Publishers targeting mobile-first users.
Benefits of Sticky Ads
Sticky ads have become one of the most powerful ad formats for publishers and advertisers alike. Here’s why.
1. Higher Viewability
Because sticky ads remain visible as users scroll, they automatically meet IAB and MRC viewability standards — meaning at least 50% of the ad is visible for at least one second.
This leads to more impressions being counted as “viewed ads,” increasing performance metrics instantly.
2. Improved Click-Through Rates (CTR)
Eye-tracking studies show users spend 300% more time looking at sticky ads than normal banners.
A study by Making Senses found sticky ads received 9x more clicks than static banner ads.
That’s a massive jump — and it translates directly into better advertiser ROI and publisher revenue.
3. Better User Experience (UX)
Unlike pop-ups or intrusive interstitial ads, sticky ads don’t block content.
They quietly stay visible in the corner or at the bottom — allowing readers to enjoy the content while still seeing the ad.
It’s a win-win:
- Users aren’t annoyed.
- Advertisers get noticed.
- Publishers make money.
4. Higher CPM and Ad Revenue
Because sticky ads have higher engagement rates, advertisers are willing to pay higher CPMs (cost per thousand impressions).
Publishers who implemented sticky ads reported 30–50% higher CPMs compared to traditional banners.
5. Works Across Devices
Sticky ads are flexible and adaptable — they work equally well on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
That means you can serve the same ad to multiple audiences without compromising design or performance.
Drawbacks and Limitations of Sticky Ads
While sticky ads have clear benefits, they do come with a few challenges and rules you must follow.
1. Policy Restrictions
Some ad networks don’t allow sticky ads. For example, Google AdSense prohibits custom sticky ads unless they’re created using the official anchor ad unit.
Violating this rule can get your account suspended. Always check your ad network’s policy before implementing sticky ads manually.
2. Technical Setup
Sticky ads require basic coding knowledge or help from a developer.
You’ll need to handle layout design, fixed positioning, and responsive scaling carefully — especially for mobile devices.
3. Possible UX Issues
If sticky ads are too big or cover too much content, they can annoy users — leading to higher bounce rates.
Google’s Chrome browser may even block intrusive sticky ads if they cover more than 30% of the screen.
How to Implement Sticky Ads (For Both AdSense and GAM Users)
Adding sticky ads to your site depends on which ad network you use — and this is where many beginners get confused. Let’s break it down clearly.
For Google AdSense Users (Beginner-Friendly Way)
If you’re using Google AdSense, the only safe and approved way to show sticky ads is through Google’s own “Anchor Ads” feature.
This feature is automatically managed by Google, meaning:
- You don’t need to code or design anything.
- Google decides when and how to show it.
- It’s 100% compliant with AdSense policy (no risk of getting banned).
How to Enable Anchor Ads in AdSense:
- Log in to your Google AdSense account.
- Go to the Ads section.
- Click on “By site” and select your website.
- Turn on “Auto Ads.”
- Under the settings, enable “Anchor Ads.”
That’s it — Google will automatically show sticky ads (top or bottom) that adjust to your site layout and device type.
Pro Tip:
- Make sure your website has clean navigation and no overlapping elements, so anchor ads display properly.
- Avoid adding any third-party sticky ad scripts — they violate AdSense rules.
For Google Ad Manager (GAM) or Advanced Publishers
If you’re an advanced publisher or run multiple ad placements through Google Ad Manager, you can manually configure sticky ads.
Here’s the safe and compliant setup:
- Log in to Google Ad Manager.
- Navigate to Inventory → Ad Exchange Rules → Publisher Declarations.
- Choose Display Inventory Type.
- Click New Display Publisher Declaration.
- Name your declaration (for example, “Sticky Ads”).
- Choose your targeting options (device, region, etc.).
- Under “Sticky Ads,” check whether it’s Vertical or Horizontal.
- Save your settings.
Best Practices for GAM Sticky Ads:
- Use only one sticky ad per page (either top/bottom or left/right).
- Keep ad height below 90px for desktop and 100px for mobile.
- Make sure the ad doesn’t cover more than 30% of the screen.
- Always leave space between the ad and the main content.
Important Warnings (For Everyone)
- Never use custom-coded sticky ads with AdSense — it’s a policy violation.
- Always test your ads on both desktop and mobile before publishing.
- If users complain that ads block content, scale them down or reposition them.
Sticky Ads Performance: What the Data Says
Sticky ads have been proven to outperform standard banner ads in every measurable way.
According to studies:
- Viewability increases up to 95% compared to 60% for regular ads.
- CTR improves by 2x–9x, depending on placement and device.
- Engagement time is up to 300% longer.
- Emotional response is more positive — users remember sticky ads better than intrusive pop-ups.
This means sticky ads not only grab attention — they build brand recall and drive more revenue.
Sticky Ads vs Traditional Banner Ads
| Feature | Sticky Ads | Traditional Banner Ads |
| Visibility | Always visible during scroll | Disappears after scroll |
| User Experience | Non-intrusive | Often ignored |
| CTR | 2x–9x higher | Lower |
| Viewability | 90–95% | 50–60% |
| Revenue Potential | High CPM | Average CPM |
In short: Sticky ads are like the upgraded, smarter version of banner ads — visible, effective, and user-friendly.
Best Practices to Maximize Sticky Ad Revenue
Here’s how to make sticky ads perform at their best:
- Use Responsive Design: Make sure sticky ads look great on every screen size — from mobile to desktop.
- Keep It Subtle: Avoid flashy or oversized creatives. The key is visibility, not distraction.
- Limit the Number: Use only one sticky ad per page to maintain balance and avoid Google policy violations.
- Test Placements: Try different positions — top, bottom, or sidebar — to see what works best for your audience.
- 5. Refresh Ads Intelligently: Use smart refresh technology to change ad creatives during long sessions — boosting impressions without harming UX.
Conclusion:
Sticky ads prove that sometimes, less is more. They don’t shout for attention — they quietly stay visible, ensuring your message gets seen. If your site is struggling with low CTR and ad viewability, sticky ads might just be your missing piece.
By combining smart placement, user-friendly design, and policy compliance, you can boost engagement, increase revenue, and improve your audience’s browsing experience — all at once.
Think of sticky ads as your silent salesperson — always visible, never annoying, and always ready to perform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sticky Ads
Q1. Are sticky ads allowed in Google AdSense?
Yes — but only if you use Google’s built-in anchor ad format. Custom sticky ads aren’t allowed and can violate AdSense policies.
Q2. What’s the ideal size for sticky ads?
Common sizes are 728×90 (horizontal) and 300×600 or 160×600 (vertical).
Q3. Can sticky ads work on mobile?
Absolutely! Mobile sticky ads (usually at the bottom) have some of the highest engagement rates.
Q4. Do sticky ads slow down websites?
Not if optimized properly. Use lightweight ad scripts and lazy loading to keep your site fast.
Q5. How many sticky ads should I use per page?
Only one — either vertical or horizontal. Using more can hurt UX and violate ad policies.