When someone tells you an ad has been PhotoShopped, the natural reaction is “Well, yeah, duh.” What you don’t think about is that the manipulation goes far beyond messing with shading and cleaning up blotches. We asked our readers to enlighten us about the interesting, hands-on tricks ad makers still use. Photos and videos can be carefully staged or digitally enhanced. Food might look bigger and fresher in ads, skincare products may show “before-and-after” images that are altered, and tech devices might appear sleeker than in reality.
Marketers often tap into emotions to influence buying decisions. Scarcity (“Only 2 left!”) or urgency (“Offer ends today!”) can pressure buyers into making hasty decisions. Social proof, like fake reviews or influencers promoting products, can also make consumers trust a product without verifying it. Advertisers sometimes use vague or confusing wording to imply benefits without directly stating them. Terms like “clinically tested” or “supports weight loss” sound impressive but may not guarantee results.
