In online advertising, some unethical or illegal methods may be used to exaggerate the effectiveness of products and mislead consumers into buying. These behaviors may violate relevant regulations such as advertising laws and consumer rights protection laws, and damage consumer trust. The following are some common misleading methods： --- ### **1. False propaganda and over-promise** -**Fictitious efficacy**: Claim that the product has unverified functions (such as ”three-day cure of disease“ and ”permanent anti-hair loss“), or use pseudo-scientific terms (such as ”quantum technology“ and ”nanomaterials") to package ordinary products. -**Effect comparison fraud**: Use PS technology, filters or pendulum shots to create false “before and after use comparison charts” (such as weight loss and beauty product advertisements). -**Promised results that cannot be fulfilled**: For example, “monthly income of one million”, “Exams must be passed” and other exaggerated income guarantees. --- ### **2. Information concealment and misleading expression** -**Hide key restrictions**: Cover up restrictions with very small fonts or quick-play disclaimers (such as “the effect varies from person to person” and “Diet is required”). -**Concept of substitution**: The use of vague terms to mislead consumers, such as “no preservatives” may suggest that the product is safer, but it may actually contain other chemicals. -**Falsifying authoritative endorsements**: Falsely claiming to have obtained “international certification” and “expert recommendation”, or falsely using the name of an organization/celebrity to promote. --- ### **3. Using psychological manipulation** -**Create a false sense of urgency**: Induce impulsive consumption through countdown or limited labels such as “Today only” and “Last 10 items”. -**Swipe orders and reviews**: Fake user reviews, sales data or Internet celebrity recommendations to create the illusion that products are selling well. -**Fear marketing**: Use consumers' anxiety psychology (such as appearance anxiety, health crisis) to exaggerate the severity of the problem, and then promote products as the “only solution.” --- ### **4. Technical means to mislead** -**Algorithm targeted push**: Accurately target advertisements for vulnerable people (such as the elderly and patients with specific diseases) to avoid supervision. -**Automatically play/close pop-ups**: Design advertising pages that cannot be skipped or “trap buttons” that induce clicks (such as the “Close” button is actually a jump link). -**Virtual trial effect**: Simulate false product use effects through AR/filter technology (such as makeup app to mask real skin texture). --- ### **5. “Marginalization” in the gray area of the law** -**Suggestive language**: Vague words such as “may” and “may” are used to avoid legal liability, but the overall context is still suggestive. -**Soft advertising implantation**: Disguised as user sharing, popular science articles or news, it weakens advertising attributes and reduces consumer vigilance. -**Use overseas to circumvent supervision**: Publish advertisements through overseas websites or social platforms to bypass domestic censorship. --- ###**How can consumers prevent it? ** 1. **Verify the source of information**: Check product qualification, certification information and true user evaluation. 2. **Be wary of absolutist expressions**: such as “100% effective” and “no side effects” are usually not credible. 3. **Retention of evidence**: Save screenshots of advertisements, chat records, etc. to facilitate follow-up rights protection. 4. **Report illegal advertisements**: Complain through the 12315 platform or the market supervision department. --- ###**Legal and Ethical Reminder** -In China, the "Advertising Law", "Anti-Unfair Competition Law", etc. clearly prohibit false publicity, and violators may face fines, license revocation, or even criminal liability. -Companies should follow the principle of integrity and win the market by improving product quality and transparent communication, rather than relying on misleading methods. It is recommended that advertising practitioners and consumers jointly maintain a healthy market environment and refuse to participate in or disseminate false information.