Definition
The tendency of web visitors to ignore banner ads, even when banners contain information visitors are actively seeking.
Information
The term banner blindness was brought to the attention of the Web community via the 1998 study “Banner Blindness: Web Searchers Often Miss Obvious Links,” by Jan Panero Benway and David M. Lane.
It is worth noting that “blindness” is only one of the obstacles encountered by the typical banner. Ad blocking software does not even allow graphical advertisements the opportunity to be actively ignored. Also, some people surf with all graphics off, while others merely disable animations. Even when visitors are able to receive banners, slow ad servers often fail to deliver banners in time to reach potential viewers.
see also: Digital Marketing Tools
Articles
Why Are Users Banner-Blind?
Journal of Digital Information (July 31, 2001)
The Top Ten New Mistakes of Web Design…
#10 – Anything That Looks Like Advertising
useit.com : Alertbox (May 30, 1999)
Related Terms
view all terms in the Online Advertising glossary or all terms in the Digital Marketing glossary
