What is a Banner Ad?

A standard horizontal ad placement at the top of a web page. The term is borrowed from print newspapers. Banners have been around since the early days of the web. While their popularity has decreased as newer display ad formats have become available, they can still be an effective element in your advertising mix, offering visibility at a relatively low cost.

Example

For example, imagine you’re reading an article on a news website, and at the top of the page, you see a rectangular image promoting a new smartphone model with a catchy slogan like “Upgrade to the latest technology today!” That’s a banner ad. Clicking on it would likely take you to the smartphone company’s website for more information or to make a purchase.

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