How Psychology are Persuasive techniques applied to advertisements?

By L. Ouro Preto

   Advertising is both something that has been studied and made for centuries now. The first ever television advert was displayed in 1941, it was an ad for a Bulova watch. Although the ad seemed to be very simple and unmeaningful. Although, if looking at an ad first glance, it might seem simple, however advertisers’ study and apply psychology into ads and their marketing strategies in order to make them more convincing. Ever since, psychology plays a big factor when it comes to advertising, every little detail can matter. From the lighting of the main product, all the way to background color, typography and layout. 
 
   Another way advertisement makes themselves convincing, is by repeatedly showing themselves to an audience. For example, it is very common on the internet and social media for ads for applications and games, to show all the time before the video starts. This is type of strategy works, as it makes a viewer download the app, for the purpose for the ad stop appearing, or that they are genuinely curious to why this ad shows up all the time. 
 
   Colors are another factor that can affect a humans interpterion and attraction to the product. They play a large role, as using opposite and contrasting color pairs makes the ad itself stand out. The use of colors like green for a juice, might suggest its natural, as a few connotations of the color green are, nature, plants, healthy etc. Which tie in the ad itself, with the colors. 
 
  Something that has recently been popularized around the world, is the idea of “clickbait”. Clickbait can be defined, as the type of media, which’s main reason is to get a click, purchase or watch. Clickbait shows itself to be extremely effective for several different reasons, one main reason, is that humans are curious beings. So, if something seems extraordinary or overly interesting, its bound to get a click or purchase. This is very common on social media sites like YouTube, where the thumbnails of the video present themselves 
 
   Although a few methods advertisers use have been touched upon, there are still tons of different ways and techniques advertisers and businesses use to get you to click, trying a product out or downloading something even against your own will. Although advertisement seems like just another marketing scheme companies do, it's a large part of our lives, as there are ads everywhere you look. It is important to remember that advertising and marketing are the most effective methods of communication between a product and its consumer. That is why psychology and persuasion are fundamental elements in this huge industry.