The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses related to the deposition of a protective layer selective to an interlayer dielectric layer so that the protective layer is formed onto a top portion associated with the interlayer dielectric layer. In some embodiments, a method comprises: forming an interlayer dielectric layer on a substrate; covering a trench region with a metal liner, wherein the trench region is situated above the substrate and formed within the interlayer dielectric layer; and depositing a protective layer selective to the interlayer dielectric layer so that the protective layer is formed onto a top portion associated with the interlayer dielectric layer. In various embodiments, the depositing the protective layer comprises: repeatedly depositing the protective layer via a multi-deposition sequence; or depositing a self-assembled monolayer onto the top portion.