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. This tactic advertises one product at a very attractive price, but when the buyer tries to purchase it, they are pressured into buying a more expensive alternative.
Advertising isn’t inherently bad—it informs consumers and highlights innovation—but it becomes problematic when it’s designed to deceive. By being aware of these tactics, buyers can protect themselves and make smarter choices in a world full of persuasive marketing. Advertising is a powerful tool, but not all of it is honest. Many companies design campaigns to make products seem better, faster, or more essential than they really are. While some ads are informative, others aim to manipulate buyers’ perceptions—and it’s not always obvious.
