How do interstitial advertisements affect the user experience?

Interstitial advertisements are designed to take over the entire screen and can interrupt the flow of user interaction with an application or website. Such ads typically appear at transitional points, often before a user reaches the desired content, which can lead to frustration if users are trying to quickly access essential features or information.

When these ads are presented, users are momentarily unable to engage with the content they intended to see, which can disrupt their experience. This hindrance may result in a negative perception of the site or app, as users are forced to wait for the ad to disappear or actively close it to access the content they want.

In contrast to options that suggest enhancements to navigation or easier access to content, interstitial advertisements often create barriers rather than facilitate seamless user experiences. They can result in user annoyance, which is particularly detrimental if the ad is perceived as intrusive or excessive, leading to potential abandonment of the site or application altogether.