In general I consider ads to be unethical cognitive burden.
You don't even have to go that far. They're attempted fraud. They are by and large lies intended to trick you into giving someone money.
You don't even have to go that far. They're attempted fraud. They are by and large lies intended to trick you into giving someone money.
"Need a plumber in $TOWN? Call $TOWN Plumbers at 555-1212."
Others simply advocate for a cause:
"Vote Yes on $TOWN Proposition #4!"
Ads like those above do add cognitive burden, but they can provide utility to a community and are demonstrably neither fraud nor lies.
Nevertheless, I believe that giving the awareness part a free pass, can be a slippery slope. I didn't want to think about plumbing or the Proposition 4 or plastic surgery. So unless I search for either of those two I feel it's an intrusion to force those thoughts on me.
"Creating awareness" would be handing out unsolicited facts with a neutral point of view. Most ads are more in the nature of unsolicited and manipulative advice from someone who does not have your best interest in mind.
I’m completely desensitized to ads and know people who won’t click on ads at all. I wonder how effective ads are then.