You can have the best-designed banner in the world, but if you put it in the footer where nobody looks, you will make zero dollars. In 2026, “Viewability” is the metric that matters most to advertisers.
Placement strategy isn’t just about “Above the Fold.” It’s about matching the ad size to the user’s reading flow.
💰 How Much Can You Earn?
Different placements command different CPMs (Cost Per Mille). Use our traffic planner to estimate your potential revenue based on your ad slots.
1. The “Power Header” (728×90)
This is the classic “Leaderboard” slot. It sits at the very top of the page, next to or above your logo. It is usually the first thing a user sees.
- Pros: High visibility, high CPM.
- Cons: Users have developed “Banner Blindness” here. To fix this, use high-contrast colors.
2. The “Sticky Sidebar” (160×600 or 300×600)
This is arguably the most valuable real estate on a desktop site. A “Sticky” ad stays fixed on the screen while the user scrolls down a long article. This guarantees 100% viewability time.
- Pros: Incredible viewability scores, great for brand awareness.
- Cons: Disappears completely on mobile devices (which is 60% of traffic).
3. The “In-Content” Breaker (300×250)
This placement inserts an ad right in the middle of your text (usually after the 2nd or 3rd paragraph). Because the user is focused on reading, they are forced to look at the ad.
- Pros: Highest Click-Through Rate (CTR) because it interrupts the flow.
- Cons: Can annoy users if you use too many.
4. The Mobile Anchor (320×50)
On mobile, sidebars don’t exist. The solution is the “Anchor Ad”—a small strip that sticks to the bottom of the phone screen.
Strategy: Do not rely on static images here. Use a bright button color so the user knows it’s clickable.
👉 Need a better button? Use our Button Generator to create a high-contrast CTA for your mobile ads.
Summary: Test Your Profitability
Placement is a math game. You might get fewer clicks on a sidebar ad, but if the viewability is higher, advertisers might pay you more.
We built a calculator to help you analyze your profitability. Plug in your traffic numbers and see if your current placement strategy is working.