They discovered a magic number for the best conversions after analysing over 3.5 million opt-ins

How Scroll Popups Can Skyrocket Your Opt-Ins and Drive Engagement

Popups can be polarizing—some love them, others hate them. But there’s no denying their effectiveness when implemented thoughtfully. In a study analyzing over 3.5 million opt-ins from “Scroll Popups,” Sumo uncovered the magic formula for maximizing conversions.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Where’s the best place to show a popup?”, the answer is finally here.


The Ideal Location for Scroll Popups

Those modal windows that appear as you scroll through an article, landing page, or product page are far more strategic than they seem. The key is determining where they should appear to capture the most attention without frustrating your visitors.

According to Sumo’s extensive research, the sweet spot is 47.7% down the page.

Why? This placement is far enough into the content to ensure the user is engaged but not too late to risk them bouncing before seeing the popup.


The Power of Timing and Relevance: A Real-Life Example

To prove how powerful popups can be, Sumo shared a case study where an author added a popup to the product page of an ebook. Here’s what happened:

  • Timing: The popup appeared 15 seconds after a visitor landed on the product page, allowing them time to browse before being interrupted.
  • Content: The popup offered a free excerpt from the book’s first chapter, giving visitors immediate value and a taste of the product.

The result? A jaw-dropping 38.4% opt-in rate! That means over one-third of visitors willingly provided their email in exchange for the free chapter.


Why This Strategy Works

  1. Well-Timed Engagement: Showing the popup after 15 seconds avoids annoying visitors while keeping them engaged.
  2. Value-Driven Offer: A free book excerpt is a low-friction, high-value incentive for users.
  3. Strategic Placement: Using a scroll popup ensures the message reaches users who are already invested in the page content.

What You Can Learn from This

Scroll popups are a powerful tool for building your email list, growing your audience, and even driving sales. Here’s how you can replicate this success:

  1. Perfect Placement: Set your popup to appear at 47.7% down the page to maximize visibility without frustrating users.
  2. Incentivize with Value: Offer something your visitors care about—an excerpt, free resource, or exclusive discount.
  3. Test Timing: Experiment with the delay to find the sweet spot for your audience (e.g., 10-20 seconds).

P.S. A Smart Popup is a Conversion Goldmine

From ebooks to product pages, scroll popups offer an easy way to convert casual browsers into engaged subscribers. Whether you’re building an email list, promoting a product, or offering a sneak peek of your next big thing, strategic popups could be your best-performing asset.

Source: sumo.com

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