> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.adrop.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Backfill Ad Placement Guide

> Placement patterns by ad format that maximize Backfill revenue without hurting user experience.

## Overview

Backfill ads automatically fill inventory when there are no direct ads. Because they aren't pre-screened by the publisher the way direct ads are, **how you surface them** has an outsized effect on click-through rate, completion rate, and user experience.

This page covers recommended placement strategies per ad format and the best practices that maximize revenue without degrading UX.

***

## Strategy at a Glance

| Format           | Core Principle               | Recommended Placement                          |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **Rewarded**     | Confirm user intent (Opt-in) | When the user explicitly chooses "Earn reward" |
| **Interstitial** | Natural transition points    | Between screens/levels/content units           |
| **Native**       | Blend with content flow      | Inserted at intervals in feeds/lists           |
| **Banner**       | Anchored slot                | Persistent top/bottom of content area          |

***

## Rewarded Ads: Confirm User Intent

Rewarded Backfill is a value-exchange model where the user voluntarily watches an ad to earn a reward. Confirming user intent before showing the ad raises both click-through rate and completion rate.

### Recommended Patterns

**1. Action button that names the reward**

Make the reward explicit in the button label.

* ✅ "Watch video to earn a life"
* ✅ "Watch ad to get 100 coins"
* ❌ "Watch ad" (reward unclear)
* ❌ "Continue" (doesn't signal it's an ad)

**2. Sync the UI with ad readiness**

Disable or hide the action button when no ad is ready, so users don't tap into an empty response. A failed first attempt rarely leads to a second.

**3. Design natural entry points**

Surface the option at moments where the user actually wants the reward.

* When the player is out of lives/turns in a game
* When the user wants to unlock paid content one time
* For daily check-in or mission rewards

### Patterns to Avoid

* Auto-playing the ad without explicit user selection
* Pressure copy like "skip and lose your reward"
* Vague prompts where the user can't tell what they'll get for watching

<Note>
  The key metric for Rewarded Backfill is **completion rate**, not click-through rate. Clearer user intent means higher completion, which drives up eCPM.
</Note>

***

## Interstitial Ads: Natural Transition Points

Interstitials cover the entire screen, so the most important thing is to show them **at moments that don't interrupt the user's flow**.

### Recommended Moments

* **Game level / stage transitions**: between rounds
* **End of a content unit**: after an article, video, or chapter
* **Screen transitions**: home → detail, results → home, etc., where the user clearly perceives a transition
* **Session resume**: when the user returns after a background period (Splash ads can also fit here)

### Apply Frequency Capping

Showing interstitials too often increases ad fatigue and leads to blocking or uninstalls.

* Maintain at least a **1-3 minute interval** between impressions for the same user
* Consider a **per-session cap** on total impressions

### Patterns to Avoid

* Showing **immediately** after a user action (tap, input) → accidental clicks
* Showing during active gameplay → breaks the flow
* Showing right at app launch → before the user has perceived any value

<Warning>
  If an interstitial appears within a very short window after a user tap or click, it can cause invalid traffic from accidental clicks. Leave enough buffer between user actions and ad presentation.
</Warning>

***

## Native Ads: Blend with Content Flow

Native Backfill ads are visually integrated with surrounding content. The balance is to **blend in naturally while still clearly labeling the unit as an ad**.

### Recommended Patterns

* **Insert into feeds/lists at consistent intervals** (e.g., one ad per 5-10 content items)
* Match **typography, corner radius, and spacing** with surrounding content
* Show a clear **"Ad" / "Sponsored" label** to prevent mistaken clicks
* **Reserve container size in advance** to avoid layout shift (CLS) when the ad loads

### Patterns to Avoid

* Blending so deeply that ads are indistinguishable from content (policy risk)
* Stacking ads on the first screen
* Unsized containers that cause content to jump when the ad arrives

***

## Banner Ads: Anchored Slots

Banner Backfill is the lowest-friction format, so a **consistent, anchored placement** is recommended.

### Recommended Patterns

* Anchored top or bottom in the safe area
* Positioned so it never overlaps content
* Adaptive slot that handles both portrait and landscape

### Patterns to Avoid

* Floating banners that cover content
* Close buttons placed right next to the ad's click area → accidental clicks
* Multiple stacked banners on a single screen

***

## Common Principles

### Preload

If the next impression is predictable, preload the ad in advance. Showing a loading delay at impression time breaks the user flow and can cause the impression to be lost entirely.

### Branch UI by Ad State

Control your UI for each state: **ready / load failed / showing / dismissed**. For Rewarded especially, disabling the action button on load failure reduces user confusion.

### Manage Frequency and Caps

Define **minimum interval** and **maximum count** per user/session to manage ad fatigue. Long-term retention beats short-term revenue, even for Backfill economics.

### Prevent Invalid Traffic

* Separate ad zones from action zones clearly
* Validate the layout to prevent auto-clicks or accidental taps
* Leave a time buffer between user action and ad presentation

***

## Format Support

| Ad Format      | Native App | Web (WebView Mobile App) |
| -------------- | ---------- | ------------------------ |
| Banner         | Y          | Y                        |
| Interstitial   | Y          | N                        |
| Rewarded Video | Y          | N                        |
| Native         | Y          | Y                        |
| Popup          | N          | N                        |
| Splash         | N          | N                        |

For full format support details, see [Maximize Revenue with Backfill](/ad-unit/backfill).

***

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Maximize Revenue with Backfill" href="/ad-unit/backfill" icon="fire">
    How to enable and operate Backfill
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create an Ad Unit" href="/ad-unit/create" icon="plus">
    Create the right unit for your placement
  </Card>
</CardGroup>