Z-index (layering) Issues

Explanation

Z-index errors are often at the root of layering issues. The z-index property specifies the stack order of a creative element. An element with a higher stack order number always appears in front of an element with a lower one.

Symptoms

The ad might expand under content with a higher z-index. Or other site content (such as the site navigation bar) might be set to a lower z-index than the ad and therefore expand under the banner or expanding ad.

How do I know if this is my issue?

Use a browser’s developer tool (for example, Chrome's Developer Tools) to check the z-index of the ad and the other elements on the page that may be triggering the issue. Developer tools let you test your changes to the ad's z-index before you make changes in Google Ad Manager or Campaign Manager 360 Trafficking.

How can I avoid this?

The z-index value of most Studio ads is set to 1000000 by default.

Google Ad Manager publishers can change the z-index value in the Preview tab of the creative.

• If you're an agency or advertiser, make sure you build the ad to conform to z-index site requirements, which are often imposed to prevent such issues. And, if needed, you can find and change the z-index field in the Assets tab of the creative in Campaign Manager 360 Trafficking.
• If you're a publisher and you allow expandable ads on your site, take note of the z-index of your site content (such as the navigation bar) and require that ads run on your site are set to a z-index that doesn't conflict.

How do I troubleshoot this?

Check out these expanding troubleshooters:

• An expanding ad unit is not expanding out of placement and/or over page content.
• An ad unit is expanding underneath another ad unit.
• Site navigation drop-down menus are expanding under my rich media.
• Push-down unit is expanding over the page, rather than pushing down site content.