How does native advertising differ from display ads?

Native advertising platforms blend ads seamlessly with content for better engagement. Explore top networks, pricing models, and best practices.

Native advertising is designed to blend seamlessly into the content of the platform where it appears. It matches the look, feel, and function of the surrounding editorial content. Think of sponsored articles on news websites or promoted posts on social media. Native ads are less disruptive, often offering value or storytelling, which can lead to higher engagement and trust.

On the other hand, display ads are more traditional banner ads—such as images, graphics, or videos—placed in specific sections of a webpage (like sidebars or headers). These ads are visually distinct from the site’s content and are easier to spot as advertisements. While they can be highly visual and attention-grabbing, they’re also more likely to be ignored due to banner blindness.

In short:

Native Ads = Blended with content, subtle, better user experience

Display Ads = Stand-alone visuals, more obvious, potentially more disruptive

Both have their place, depending on your goals. Native is great for content-driven strategies, while display works well for brand awareness and retargeting.