Ask If display ads were optimized for attention instead of clicks, how would that change ad design?

[Dean101]

If display ads were optimized for attention instead of clicks, ad design would shift from persuasion to presence. Instead of loud calls-to-action, designers would prioritize visual hold, pacing, and clarity. They would test how long users look, where eyes settle, and what makes them pause. Heatmaps and scroll depth would replace click-through rates as primary signals of success. Ads might become more like editorial visuals or storytelling moments than sales pitches. Insights from attention patterns would guide simpler layouts, slower reveals, and stronger first impressions.