Pop-up

Pop-up is an on-screen overlay that appears over a webpage or app to show a message, offer, form, or warning. It sits on top of the current content and asks for attention — subscribe, accept cookies, confirm a delete, or claim a discount.

A modal pop-up is a stricter type: it blocks interaction with the rest of the page until you dismiss or complete it. Not every pop-up is modal (some are toast notifications or slide-ins), but people often use the words interchangeably. In UI and UX, timing and clarity matter as much as the design.

A real-life example of a pop-up

You’re reading a recipe and a full-screen box asks for your email before you can see the ingredients. That pop-up can capture a lead — or make you leave. Used carefully (exit intent, after a useful action, easy close), pop-ups support conversion. Used as a barrage of “Rate us!” and dark-pattern traps, they damage trust — related to dark patterns.

For design guidance that respects users, see How to Design Pop-Ups Users Don’t Hate.