Deceptive Marketing: The Dark Arts of Persuasion | Community Health

Deceptive marketing refers to the practice of using false or misleading information to promote a product, service, or idea. This can include tactics such as bait-and-switch advertising, fake reviews, and hidden fees. According to a study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), deceptive marketing practices cost consumers over $50 billion annually. The history of deceptive marketing dates back to the early 20th century, with the establishment of the FTC in 1914, which was tasked with regulating unfair business practices. Despite these efforts, deceptive marketing remains a pervasive issue, with 75% of consumers reporting that they have been misled by an advertisement at some point. As technology continues to evolve, new forms of deceptive marketing are emerging, such as deepfakes and AI-generated content, which are being used to create convincing but false advertisements.