What People Really Hate About Advertising (According to Facebook Users)

What People Really Hate About Advertising (According to Facebook Users)

We recently asked a simple question on Facebook:

“What do you hate about advertising?”

The response was anything but simple.

Dozens of people chimed in, and while the wording varied, the themes were remarkably consistent. The feedback wasn’t angry just for the sake of it—it was honest, emotional, and incredibly useful.

Here’s what people actually said, what it means, and how advertisers can do better.

1. “Most ads are lies or exaggerations”

This was by far the loudest complaint.

People repeatedly mentioned:

• False advertising

• Overpromising

• Products not matching reality

• Ads that “make themselves look good” but don’t deliver

💬 “99.9% of them are false advertising.”

💬 “They lie to make themselves look good.”

Why this frustrates people

Consumers feel tricked. Once that trust is broken, it doesn’t just hurt one brand—it makes people suspicious of all ads.

How brands can add value instead

• Show the real product, not an idealized fantasy

• Use actual customer stories, not scripted perfection

• Clearly state limitations, pricing, and expectations

• Trade hype for honesty

👉 Trust converts better than polish.

2. “They’re repetitive and shoved in my face”

Another common frustration was frequency.

People complained about:

• The same ad appearing over and over

• Ads interrupting movies, shows, or videos repeatedly

• Feeling like there’s no escape

💬 “When they show it more than once in a movie.”

💬 “They’re too many!!!!!”

Why this frustrates people

Repetition without relevance feels invasive. Instead of remembering the brand fondly, people start resenting it.

How brands can add value instead

• Cap ad frequency aggressively

• Rotate creative more often

• Focus on context, not just exposure

• Ask: “Would this annoy me if I saw it five times today?”

👉 Familiarity should build comfort, not irritation.

3. “They’re loud, intrusive, and disruptive”

Several people mentioned volume, interruptions, and ads breaking the flow of what they were enjoying.

💬 “The volume is too high.”

💬 “Very rude!!!”

Why this frustrates people

Ads feel like an ambush. Instead of being invited into someone’s attention, they force their way in.

How brands can add value instead

• Design ads that fit naturally into the platform

• Prioritize native formats over disruptive ones

• Respect quiet spaces (especially video and mobile)

• Let people opt in instead of trapping them

👉 Attention given willingly is far more valuable than attention taken.

4. “I shouldn’t have to pay to avoid ads”

This frustration came up more than once.

People expressed resentment about:

• Paying for subscriptions and still seeing ads

• Feeling punished for wanting a clean experience

💬 “I shouldn’t have to pay a subscription to avoid them either.”

Why this frustrates people

It feels unfair. Ads become something people associate with loss, not value.

How brands can add value instead

• Make ads worth watching

• Educate, entertain, or genuinely help

• Deliver something useful in the first few seconds

👉 The best ads don’t feel like ads at all.

5. “They’re unnecessary and add no value”

Some responses were blunt:

💬 “Annoying and unnecessary.”

💬 “I loved without them for years.”

Why this frustrates people

People don’t hate advertising—they hate wasted time.

How brands can add value instead

Before launching any campaign, ask:

• Does this solve a real problem?

• Does this teach, help, or inspire?

• Would I stop scrolling for this?

👉 Relevance beats reach every time.

The Big Takeaway: People Don’t Hate Ads — They Hate Bad Ads

What stands out most from these responses isn’t anger—it’s disappointment.

People are open to:

• Honest messaging

• Respectful placement

• Useful information

• Creative storytelling

What they reject is:

• Deception

• Noise

• Repetition without purpose

• Being treated like a captive audience

The opportunity for brands

If you listen closely, the message is clear:

Advertising needs to earn attention, not demand it.

The brands that win today won’t be the loudest. They’ll be the most trustworthy, most human, and most respectful of people’s time.

And based on what real users are saying, that’s exactly what audiences are hungry for.