Regarding the anti pattern: seems more like a dumb pattern. I often sign up for new sites when they have good content. But I need to read the content first. So

Regarding the anti pattern: seems more like a dumb pattern. I often sign up for new sites when they have good content. But I need to read the content first. So many people give the pop up and interrupt me in the first paragraph so it is an automatic dismissal. The smart sites do it at the end. If I like the writing, I may sign up. Smarter sites just give a link at the end. But the best sites just write great, compelling articles that make me want to hunt down a subscribe button.