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Random question: has anyone here ever purchased something they found via a youtube ad? I never have. Approximately 100% of youtube ads I've seen are for harmfu

by nomilk 3y ago

Random question: has anyone here ever purchased something they found via a youtube ad? I never have. Approximately 100% of youtube ads I've seen are for harmful, time-wasting, unhealthy, mediocre, scammy products/services. They also tend to be blastingly-loud, and somewhat anxiety-inducing. I've never seen an interesting or informative one. Why doesn't youtube put effort into ad quality and relevance, rather than hostility toward users who quite naturally want to avoid grotesque influences.

herbst 3y ago
I explicitly avoid products that happen to annoy me with forced video ads. I have a whole list of companies in my head I will avoid as long as I don't forgot about them.
hulitu 3y ago
> Why doesn't youtube put effort into ad quality and relevance, rather than hostility toward users who quite naturally want to avoid grotesque influences. Because the purpose of the ad is just to keep your brain busy for a period of _your_ time.
happytiger 3y ago
In fact I have a list of products that show in ads that I make sure to never purchase. I assume that if you have to advertise hard to sell your product you probably suck. Products that are amazing are sold by recommendation from enthusiastic customers. I know people may not agree, but it’s been pretty effective for me.
- nomilk 3y ago
  > I have a list of products that show in ads that I make sure to never purchase. That's hardcore, I like it. I don't think it's black and white regarding need to advertise. Good products can advertise too, it's just that they tend to be tasteful or even inspiring, informative, imaginative, helpful or have some other positive effect on the viewer. I never perceive those qualities in youtube ads. (to be fair, the vast majority of ads outside of youtube also fail to exhibit those qualities).
thinkingemote 3y ago
Ads work on the brain on many levels. Often affecting us below conscious recall. They work on us even if we don't like them. For example a feel good video from a car company won't make us go out and buy the car. That's not the intention. The aim is not for you to click through right then and spend. The intention is about feeling of the brand. So maybe in 2 years time when you have forgotten the specific ad and are in a position of trading in your old car you will choose this brand of car compared to a similar one from a company that didn't advertise. Ads are worse than we think. They work on many levels to manipulate us.

by nomilk 3y ago

herbst 3y ago

I explicitly avoid products that happen to annoy me with forced video ads. I have a whole list of companies in my head I will avoid as long as I don't forgot about them.

hulitu 3y ago

> Why doesn't youtube put effort into ad quality and relevance, rather than hostility toward users who quite naturally want to avoid grotesque influences. Because the purpose of the ad is just to keep your brain busy for a period of _your_ time.

happytiger 3y ago

In fact I have a list of products that show in ads that I make sure to never purchase. I assume that if you have to advertise hard to sell your product you probably suck. Products that are amazing are sold by recommendation from enthusiastic customers. I know people may not agree, but it’s been pretty effective for me.

nomilk 3y ago
> I have a list of products that show in ads that I make sure to never purchase. That's hardcore, I like it. I don't think it's black and white regarding need to advertise. Good products can advertise too, it's just that they tend to be tasteful or even inspiring, informative, imaginative, helpful or have some other positive effect on the viewer. I never perceive those qualities in youtube ads. (to be fair, the vast majority of ads outside of youtube also fail to exhibit those qualities).

thinkingemote 3y ago

Ads work on the brain on many levels. Often affecting us below conscious recall. They work on us even if we don't like them. For example a feel good video from a car company won't make us go out and buy the car. That's not the intention. The aim is not for you to click through right then and spend. The intention is about feeling of the brand. So maybe in 2 years time when you have forgotten the specific ad and are in a position of trading in your old car you will choose this brand of car compared to a similar one from a company that didn't advertise. Ads are worse than we think. They work on many levels to manipulate us.