How much advertising revenue is created by online media?

As of my last update in January 2022, online advertising revenue has been steadily increasing over the years and has become a significant source of revenue for media companies. According to industry reports, global online advertising spending surpassed traditional advertising spending for the first time in 2019, and this trend has continued to grow.

In 2021, global digital advertising spending was estimated to be over $455 billion USD, accounting for a significant portion of total advertising spending worldwide. This includes spending on various digital advertising channels such as display ads, search ads, social media ads, video ads, and more.

The growth of online advertising revenue has been driven by factors such as the increasing use of digital devices and platforms, the rise of e-commerce, the shift to targeted and personalized advertising, and the dominance of tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon in the digital advertising market.

It’s important to note that these figures may vary depending on the source and methodology used for measurement, and the online advertising landscape is constantly evolving with new technologies and trends shaping the industry.

What effect does advertising have on people’s behaviour?

Advertising can have a significant impact on people’s behavior in several ways:

1. Influence on purchasing decisions: Advertising is designed to persuade and influence consumers to purchase products or services. Through compelling messages, visuals, and branding, advertisers aim to create desire and urgency, leading consumers to make purchasing decisions they may not have otherwise made.
2. Shaping perceptions and attitudes: Advertising can shape how people perceive brands, products, and societal issues. By associating products with certain values, lifestyles, or emotions, advertisers can influence consumers’ attitudes and beliefs about themselves and the world around them.
3. Creating needs and desires: Advertising often creates or amplifies needs and desires for products and services, even ones that may not be essential for daily life. By tapping into consumers’ aspirations, insecurities, and aspirations, advertisers can create demand for goods and services that fulfill these perceived needs.
4. Reinforcing stereotypes and norms: Advertising can perpetuate stereotypes and societal norms by portraying certain groups of people or behaviors in a particular way. This can influence how people perceive themselves and others, as well as reinforce existing social norms and expectations.
5. Fostering brand loyalty: Effective advertising can build brand awareness, trust, and loyalty among consumers, encouraging repeat purchases and long-term relationships with brands. By creating positive associations and experiences, advertisers can cultivate a sense of loyalty and affinity that extends beyond individual transactions.

Overall, advertising plays a powerful role in shaping consumer behavior, attitudes, and perceptions, often influencing how people make decisions and interact with the world around them. However, it’s important for consumers to approach advertising critically and discerningly, considering the motivations and implications behind the messages they encounter.

What evidence is there that people approach advertising critically?

There is evidence to suggest that people do approach advertising critically, particularly in today’s digital age where consumers have access to more information and resources to evaluate products and brands.

1. Ad blocking: The use of ad-blocking software has become increasingly common among internet users, with millions of people worldwide opting to block online ads. This suggests that many consumers are actively seeking to limit their exposure to advertising and have negative perceptions of intrusive or irrelevant ads.
2. Skepticism toward claims: Studies have shown that consumers are often skeptical of advertising claims and are more likely to question the accuracy and credibility of marketing messages. With easy access to information online, consumers can fact-check claims and compare products before making purchasing decisions.
3. Influence of user-generated content: User-generated content, such as online reviews, ratings, and social media discussions, has become a significant source of information for consumers. Many people trust peer recommendations and user-generated content more than traditional advertising, as it is perceived as more authentic and unbiased.
4. Rise of ethical consumerism: There is growing awareness and concern among consumers about ethical issues related to advertising, such as deceptive practices, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. Many consumers prioritize brands that align with their values and are transparent about their business practices.
5. Active engagement with brands: Some consumers actively engage with brands on social media platforms, providing feedback, sharing experiences, and participating in discussions. This demonstrates a level of critical thinking and engagement with advertising messages, as consumers seek to interact with brands on their own terms.

Overall, while advertising continues to influence consumer behavior, there is evidence to suggest that many people approach advertising critically, questioning claims, seeking out information, and making informed decisions based on their own values and preferences.

How might behaviour change if all advertising were removed?

If all advertising were removed, there could be several potential changes in behavior:

1. Reduced consumerism: Without advertising influencing purchasing decisions and creating desire for products, consumer spending may decrease as people focus on meeting their basic needs rather than constantly seeking out new goods and services.
2. Shift in brand loyalty: With no advertising to reinforce brand awareness and loyalty, consumers may become more open to trying new brands and products based on factors such as price, quality, and word-of-mouth recommendations.
3. Emphasis on product quality: Without the need to invest in marketing and advertising campaigns, companies may prioritize investing in product development, innovation, and quality to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and attract customers.
4. Increased reliance on word-of-mouth and peer recommendations: With no advertising to influence purchasing decisions, consumers may rely more on recommendations from friends, family, and online reviews when making choices about products and services.
5. Changes in media consumption habits: Since advertising often subsidizes the cost of media content, the removal of advertising could impact the availability and accessibility of free or low-cost media. Consumers may need to pay more for media content or seek out alternative sources of entertainment and information.
6. Shift in revenue models for businesses: Companies that rely heavily on advertising revenue, such as media companies and online platforms, may need to explore alternative revenue models, such as subscription-based services or direct-to-consumer sales, to sustain their operations.

Overall, the removal of advertising could lead to significant changes in consumer behavior, business practices, and media consumption habits, with both positive and negative implications for society and the economy.

What would be the negative implications for society?

The removal of advertising could have several negative implications for society:

1. Economic impact: Advertising plays a significant role in driving consumer spending and stimulating economic activity. The removal of advertising could lead to reduced consumer demand, lower sales for businesses, and potential job losses in industries reliant on advertising revenue, such as marketing, media, and creative services.
2. Disruption of media funding: Many media outlets rely on advertising revenue to fund their operations and produce content. Without advertising, these outlets may struggle to sustain themselves financially, leading to reduced quality and diversity of media content, as well as potential closures of media outlets.
3. Loss of free or low-cost media: Advertising often subsidizes the cost of media content, allowing consumers to access news, entertainment, and information for free or at a low cost. The removal of advertising could lead to increased barriers to access for certain media content, particularly for marginalized or underserved communities.
4. Impact on cultural and social discourse: Advertising shapes cultural norms, values, and social discourse through the promotion of certain products, lifestyles, and ideologies. The removal of advertising could lead to shifts in societal values and norms, as well as reduced diversity of perspectives and voices in the public sphere.
5. Disruption of business models: Many businesses rely on advertising to reach customers and drive sales. The removal of advertising could disrupt traditional business models and force companies to adapt to new revenue streams, potentially leading to consolidation, market concentration, and decreased competition.

Overall, while advertising has its drawbacks and criticisms, its removal could have far-reaching implications for society, the economy, and the media landscape, with potential negative consequences that would need to be carefully considered and addressed.

But if the advertising and media is controlled by small groups and this changes larger behaviours, is this not a bad thing?

Yes, if advertising and media are controlled by small groups or entities with vested interests, it can indeed have negative implications for society. When a small group wields significant influence over the information and messages disseminated through advertising and media, it can lead to:

1. Limited diversity of viewpoints: Media controlled by a small group may prioritize certain perspectives while marginalizing others, resulting in a lack of diversity in the representation of ideas, voices, and experiences.
2. Manipulation of public opinion: Advertising and media controlled by a small group may be used to manipulate public opinion, shape perceptions, and advance particular agendas, potentially undermining democratic principles and fostering misinformation or propaganda.
3. Concentration of power and influence: Concentration of control over advertising and media in the hands of a small group can lead to the consolidation of power and influence, limiting competition, innovation, and accountability in the industry.
4. Suppression of dissenting voices: Media controlled by a small group may suppress dissenting voices, censoring critical or alternative perspectives that challenge the status quo or threaten vested interests.
5. Erosion of trust and credibility: When advertising and media are perceived to be controlled by a small group with ulterior motives, it can erode public trust and confidence in the integrity and credibility of the information presented, leading to skepticism, polarization, and disengagement.

Overall, when advertising and media are controlled by small groups, it can have detrimental effects on democracy, diversity, and public discourse, highlighting the importance of promoting transparency, plurality, and accountability in the media landscape.