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. Advertisers often use exaggerated claims to grab attention. Phrases like “the ultimate solution” or “results in just 7 days” are common tactics. While the product may work, it rarely performs as dramatically as advertised.
Cosmetic products, dietary supplements, and fitness programs are notorious for such exaggerations. Deals that seem “too good to be true” often are. Discounts may be based on inflated “original prices,” or “buy one, get one free” deals may hide fees or subscription traps. Some online retailers use countdown timers or limited-stock messages to create artificial urgency, prompting buyers to act before checking for alternatives.
