GLOSSARY TERM
What is Intrusive Interstitial?
Definition
A pop-up, overlay, or modal that covers most of the page content immediately on load — particularly on mobile. Penalized by Google since 2017 for harming user experience.
Why it Matters for AI Search
Cookie banners are exempt (legally required) but most other on-load overlays are penalized. Email signup popups, app install prompts, and full-screen ads all hurt rankings if shown immediately. Delay them by 5+ seconds or trigger on intent (exit, scroll depth).
Related Terms
Cookie Consent BannerPage Experience SignalLCP (Largest Contentful Paint)Interaction to Next Paint (INP)CrUX (Chrome User Experience Report)Ranking Factor
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