A swipe to unlock ad is an interactive banner ad in the 300x600 and 300x250 sizes where a single swipe reveals hidden content, such as a discount code, an exclusive offer or a product transformation. After the swipe, viewers continue to a landing page tailored to what they unlocked, so the reveal turns into a click with a clear purpose.
How does a swipe to unlock ad work?
The banner shows a cover with a short prompt to swipe. One swipe moves it aside and reveals what’s underneath: a voucher code, an offer, a before-and-after view or more information. A call-to-action button then sends the viewer to a landing page that matches the reveal. The interaction is quick and needs no instructions, because everyone already knows the swipe gesture from their phone.
When should you use a swipe to unlock ad?
Use it for anything that’s more rewarding to discover than to be told: discount codes and limited offers in e-commerce, a before-and-after car customisation in automotive, or a teaser for a film, a game or an event. The reveal gives viewers a reason to interact, and the tailored landing page keeps the click relevant.
Where can swipe to unlock ads run?
Swipe to unlock ads are HTML5 banner ads in two standard IAB display sizes: 300x600 (half page) and 300x250 (medium rectangle). They run in regular display placements, and Clipflip delivers them as an ad tag that you traffic through your ad server or DSP like any other HTML5 banner.
Which industries get the most out of Swipe To Unlock Ads?
- E-Commerce
- Special Offers
- Branding
- Entertainment/Events
- Product Introduction
- Automotive
How do brands use Swipe To Unlock Ads?
E-Commerce: Swipe to reveal exclusive discount codes or limited offers. Creates a rewarding discovery moment that drives higher redemption rates.
Automotive: Show before-and-after car customizations with a swipe. Let customers see the transformation, driving configurator engagement.
Entertainment & Gaming: Tease plot twists or exclusive content previews behind the swipe. Build anticipation that drives ticket sales or app downloads.
Swipe To Unlock Ads specifications
| Placement | 300x600, 300x250 |
|---|---|
| Delivery | VAST 3.0 & 4.2 tag, iframe for outstream |
| Ad servers | Adform, Google DV360, Xandr and other VAST-compatible servers |
| Headline | 30 chars max |
| Subline | 60 chars max |
| Call to action | 20 chars max |
| Picture | optional |
| Video file type | .mp4, .mov |
| Video dimensions | 16:9, 1:1, 9:16, 4:3 |
| Video length | 10s - 45s |
| Graphic file type | .jpg, .png, .svg, .gif |
| Graphic file size | Max 300KB per asset |
| Interaction | One swipe reveals the hidden content |
| After the swipe | Click-through to a tailored landing page |
Sources and standards
See more examples in Gallery
Swipe To Unlock Ads: Frequently Asked Questions
Two standard IAB display sizes: 300x600 (half page) and 300x250 (medium rectangle).
A discount code, an exclusive offer, a product reveal, a before-and-after image or a teaser for upcoming content. Whatever sits underneath should reward the swipe, because that’s what makes viewers do it.
The cover visual and the content revealed by the swipe, a headline of up to 30 characters, a subline of up to 60 characters, a call to action of up to 20 characters and the landing page URL. Graphics can be .jpg, .png, .svg or .gif up to 300KB each.
Yes. Our team builds the interactive layer from your brief and assets, and you keep everything we create. Your first campaign runs free for up to 300,000 impressions with no CPM charged, so you can test the format against a standard banner.
