Two formats, three illustrative scenarios. These are composite buyer setups (typical spend/ROI bands we hear on support calls), not verified exports from Adexium ClickHouse. For a verified popunder optimization story on our platform, see the Philippines whitelist case study.
If you’re running traffic to gambling, utility, or sweepstakes, these two formats are still the workhorses. Below: where popunder delivers on volume, where in-page push wins on quality, and when it makes sense to run them together.
Why They’re Still in the Game
Google has completely shut down classic subscription-based push notifications, and in-page push remains pretty much the only legit way to reach users via notification-style ads. Meanwhile popunder, which people have been burying for five years straight, is back in action in 2026: a million impressions in a couple of hours at CPMs starting from $0.5 is still doable.
Popunder, when you need reach
In 2026, popunder serves your landing page right when the user finishes with the main content. The metric to watch is not CTR (it’s ~100% anyway) but how many people actually stick around on the landing page.
- CPM from $0.5 in Tier-3, from $2.5 in Tier-1
- Works best on simple funnels: one-click signups, app installs
- Bypasses ~90% of modern AdBlock solutions
In-page push, how to reach iOS users
It’s a banner that looks like a system notification. No need to build a subscription list: the ad shows up the moment a user lands on the site.
- CPC from $0.005, pay only for clicks
- Full reach to iPhone audiences (including iOS 19+), which are off-limits for standard push
- Higher CR thanks to native look and that “urgent notification” effect
Scenario 1. iGaming in Brazil on popunder (illustrative)
Brazil in 2026 is a saturated market, but still cash-heavy if you play the local context right. We tested an offer with a first-deposit bonus (FTD).
Typical numbers (buyer-reported band)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Spend | $15,000 |
| Revenue | $36,750 |
| ROI | 145% |
| Impressions | 4,285,714 |
| CR (visit → deposit) | 0.28% |
| CPA (per REG) | $1.25 |
What Hit:
- Localization: Pre-landers in Brazilian Portuguese slang (PT-BR) boosted CR by +15% vs. “textbook” language
- Payment angle: Creatives highlighted instant payouts via PIX, which resonates with the local crowd
- Tech tweak: We cut zones where server response exceeded 1.5 sec. In Brazil, mobile internet is spotty: a 2-second lag = minus 40% of traffic
Scenario 2. VPN via in-page push (illustrative)
For utilities (VPN, antivirus), we went with a Tier 1/2 GEO mix. Focused on iOS, since these users are more likely to convert on subscriptions.
Approach & Numbers
Creatives styled as “system alerts.” Used {device_model} macros for personalization: “Your iPhone 17 is at risk.”
| Spend | $6,200 |
| ROI | 110% |
| CTR | 0.85% |
| CPA (install) | $0.95 |
Scenario 3. iPhone sweepstakes in France via in-page push (illustrative)
Sweepstakes is the perfect vertical for in-page push. In France, February 2026, we launched a campaign pushing the new iPhone model.
Typical numbers (buyer-reported band)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Spend | $4,800 |
| Revenue | $12,864 |
| ROI | 168% |
| CTR | 1.12% |
| CR (click → lead) | 3.4% |
| CPA | $1.80 |
What Made the Difference:
- Timing: Sent notifications at lunchtime and evening Paris time, the peak hours
- Interactivity: Pre-lander with a quiz (“Answer 3 questions”) drove 25% higher conversion vs. direct link
- Urgency: Countdown timer on the landing page pushed form completions
How to Scale Without Burning Cash
1. Frequency Cap
For popunder, set 1 impression per 24–48 hours per user. Hitting them again the same day = audience burnout. For in-page push, 2/24 is fine: the format’s softer, less annoying.
2. Zone Optimization
Don’t just eyeball average campaign ROI. In a single Brazil setup, 5–10 placements might pull 300%, while the rest drag you into the red. At Adexium, we use auto-rules for whitelists; it saves hours of manual grinding.
FAQ
What should a beginner pick?
In-page push. Easier to control spend via CPC, simpler to test creatives on a $100–200 budget.
Does popunder work on iOS?
It does, but with caveats. iOS browsers often block new windows. At Adexium, we use tab-under: the ad opens in a background tab, bypassing Safari restrictions.
Do I need a pre-lander?
For popunder, yes: users need to “warm up” before hitting the form. For in-page push on utilities, you can send traffic straight to the store, but for Gambling, better to add a quiz or gamified element.
Pre-Launch Checklist
- Tracking: Is your postback passing conversions loss-free?
- Speed: Does your pre-lander weigh under 200 KB? (Critical for popunder)
- Creatives: Did you prep at least 5 variants for in-page?
To run the same comparison, open an advertiser account, start with $200, cut the weak zones in the first 3 days and scale only the lines with a CPA you can live with.
