Ads and content overlap

What is ads and content overlap

Ads and Content Overlap is the practice of placing ads in an approach where ad units are too close to the content or overlap the main content. These ads can be banners, videos, or pop-up ads covering the app's main content appearing on devices like mobile, desktop, tabs, or portable devices.

However, open app ads and Interstitial ad units overlapping or capturing the main content do not lead to violations since they are designed to appear as a full-screen ads for a specific duration.

• An example of an app opens ads that may seem as an Ads and content overlap practice.

  Ads and content overlap practice

• Another example of Interstitial ads that capture the entire screen for a while.

  Example of Interstitial ads

How it looks

• Below is one example of the Ads and Content Overlap policy violation. Here, the banner overlaps approximately 70% of the main content, causing intrusion into the users’ navigation experience. This practice is considered a banner ad policy violation.

  App screen with no Ads and Content Overlap violation:

• Following is another example of an Ads and Content Overlap violation where the banner ad overlaps the main app content, hiding the information that users may find important such as the app name and logo.

  Ads and Content Overlap violation

What are its consequences

While advertisers can quickly review their app content and submit the review request with Google, ignoring the Ads and Content Overlap and if additional violations occur, ads serving may get restricted on your app or permanently disabled.

How to avoid it

Following are the best practices to avoid getting "Ads and Content Overlap" policy violation issues:

• Place banner ads, so it does not hover over the app content.
• Banner ads should not appear as a pop-up or across a scrolling menu.
• Banner ads should be static and should not move with users' scrolls.

How to resolve it

If you receive an email from Google saying "your content has Ads and Content Overlap" violation, follow the steps to make modifications and resubmit the content for review.

• Thoroughly review the navigational elements like the "Chat box" or "What's next" button on your website or apps.
• Review user interaction experience on multiple devices such as mobile, desktop, etc. For example, banner ads should not float over the content.
• Ensure that your ads do not move along with users' actions as it forces them to click on ads.