Why You Trust Ads (Even When You Swear You Don’t)

“Pfft, I don’t fall for advertising.”

Sure, buddy. And I only check my phone for work.

The truth? Ads work because your brain wants them to. The human mind is wired to seek patterns, trust authority, and follow the crowd—three things advertising exploits like a pro. That sleek Apple ad with a minimalist background and deep-voiced narration? That’s authority bias. The five-star review section filled with glowing testimonials? That’s social proof. The “Before & After” weight loss ad? Pattern recognition at its finest.

Even when you think you’re resisting, your subconscious is absorbing. So don’t feel bad when you suddenly crave a burger after a fast-food commercial—it’s not you, it’s science.

And science always wins.