How Do Exit Intent and Idle Time Triggers Differ?

Both exit intent and idle time triggers are designed to reduce abandonment — but they activate at different moments in the user journey.

• Exit intent triggers when a user moves their cursor toward closing the tab
• Idle time triggers after a period of no interaction (no scrolling, clicking, or movement)

When to Use Exit Intent

Exit intent works best when the user is clearly about to leave your site. This is your last chance to convert them.

Use exit intent for:

• Cart abandonment offers (discounts or free shipping)
• Last-chance email capture
• Limited-time promotions
• Reminder of items in cart or viewed products

When to Use Idle Time

Idle time works best when users are still on the page but not actively engaging. It’s ideal for re-capturing attention without waiting until they leave.

Use idle time for:

• Blog readers who stop scrolling
• Product page visitors hesitating before purchase
• Long-form content where users pause to think
• Offering help, guides, or suggestions

Why Combining Both Works Best

You can combine both triggers to create layered engagement:

• Idle time captures passive users early
• Exit intent captures users at the final moment

This approach increases total conversion opportunities by covering multiple stages of user intent.

Using both strategically ensures you engage users before they disengage — and again when they are about to leave — maximising the effectiveness of your popups.