Mousetrapping
A deceptive online marketing tactic where users are trapped on a website and find it difficult to leave or navigate away.
Description
Mousetrapping is a controversial digital marketing technique designed to keep users on a website by making it difficult for them to exit or navigate away. This tactic often involves disabling the back button, opening multiple pop-up windows, or repeatedly redirecting users back to the same page. While it may temporarily boost site metrics like time on site or page views, it can severely damage a brand's reputation and lead to user frustration. Ethical digital marketing focuses on providing value and a positive user experience rather than employing such underhanded methods. Companies that utilize mousetrapping risk running afoul of search engine guidelines and consumer protection laws, which can result in penalties or legal action.
Examples
- A user visits a website to read an article, but when they try to leave, they are repeatedly redirected back to the same page, making it almost impossible to exit the site.
- While browsing an e-commerce site, a user tries to close the browser window, but instead, multiple pop-up ads appear, each requiring a separate action to close, effectively trapping the user.
Additional Information
- Mousetrapping is generally viewed negatively and can harm a brand's long-term relationship with its audience.
- Search engines like Google may penalize websites that use mousetrapping techniques, resulting in lower search rankings.