Give at least one example of a form of advertising that influences consumer behavior — that is, advertising that persuades people to buy a good or service that otherwise would not have purchased.

I'm not usually susceptible to advertising. However, one hot summer day as I was driving across state, a McDonald's billboard advertising a cold mocha drink, caught my eye. I couldn't get it out of my mind, so I stopped at the next McDonald's and bought one.

thx

YW

One example of a form of advertising that can influence consumer behavior is the use of targeted online advertisements. These are advertisements that are specifically tailored to individual users based on their browsing history, online activities, and demographic information.

To understand how targeted online advertisements influence consumer behavior, let's look at the process involved:

1. Collection of user data: Advertisers collect data on users' online behavior, such as websites visited, searches made, and products viewed. This information helps build a profile of each user's interests, preferences, and demographics.

2. Segmentation and profiling: Advertisers analyze the collected data to segment users into different groups based on their preferences, behavior patterns, and characteristics. This allows them to create personalized profiles for each user.

3. Ad customization: With the user profiles in place, advertisers can create highly personalized and relevant advertisements for each individual. These ads are designed to catch the user's attention by showcasing products or services that align with their interests, needs, or previous online activities.

4. Displaying the targeted ads: Targeted advertisements are then displayed to users while they are browsing websites, using social media, or engaging with online platforms. These ads appear in various formats, such as banners, videos, sponsored content, or search engine results.

5. Influencing consumer behavior: By using personalized and tailored messages, targeted advertisements have the potential to persuade consumers to purchase goods or services that they may not have otherwise considered. These ads create a sense of relevance, familiarity, or urgency, making consumers more likely to engage with the product or service being advertised.

It's important to note that targeted online advertisements have raised concerns about digital privacy and data usage. Some people may find the collection of their personal data for advertising purposes intrusive. Therefore, ad transparency and user consent are prominent factors in ensuring a positive and ethical advertising experience for consumers.