The ad maybe was far from popular (5)
I believe the answer is:
hated
'far from popular' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'the ad maybe' is the wordplay.
'maybe' is an anagram indicator.
'the'+'ad'='thead'
'thead' with letters rearranged gives 'HATED'.
'was' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hated that I've seen before include "viewed with hostility" , "Death (anag)" , "Abominated" , "Loathed" , "was unable to stand" .)