Online Readers Don't Notice Ads ‘Below the Fold’

It is important to know which ads on your site are viewed and clicked most often. This is becoming increasingly critical as more ads earn commissions based on the number of times they are clicked or the sales they generate.

The percentage of readers who notice online ads drops dramatically when the ads are placed “below the fold”. This means the ads are not visible until the visitor scrolls down the page.

But how great is the difference between ads placed above and below the fold? 

Well according to a recent study by MarketingSherpa the difference is huge. 

An ad placed on the top part of a page which is visible to all visitors, is actually noticed by 60 percent of them.

However, ads that appear below the online fold are usually seen by 70 percent of visitors (meaning 30% don't scroll down the page), but are only noticed by about 25 percent of them.

The ratios fall further if the ads are moved from center placement into the right hand column.

Think carefully when placing ads on your site particularly if you are only paid when the ads are clicked.