Traffic & Channels
Overlay
A content layer or banner displayed on top of the main page content.
An overlay is a content layer or banner displayed on top of the main page or video content — a semi-transparent strip across the lower part of a video, a floating banner over an article, or a layer that appears on user action. It occupies premium visual space without fully interrupting consumption the way an interstitial does.
Buyers meet overlays both as an inventory type on video and display networks and as a funnel tool — exit-intent overlays on pre-landers recover users about to bounce. The format's weakness is banner blindness plus accidental clicks near close buttons, which inflate CTR with zero intent. When buying overlay inventory, watch conversion rate per placement, not the flattering click numbers.
In buyer speech
“Added an exit-intent overlay with the bonus code to the pre-lander — it's recovering about 6% of the bouncing traffic.”