does advertising work for you?

No, I wait for recommendations. From Real People. I barely notice adverts, actually. I tape all my programmes and fastforward, turn the sound off on the computer if there are adverts, and never read them in printed matter. An advertiser's nightmare, I suspect.

I don't see many ads roses. I don't watch TV, I have ad-blocker on my laptop and I rarely buy a newspaper (and when I do it's the i and I don't think I've ever actually read an advert in it). Last Christmas I went on youtube to watch the M&S and John Lewis ads because people were talking about them. I can't recall the last ad that I saw really.

I can't say they do really - not unless it's about a product that I'm interested in. As others have said, I tend to ff the adverts (but I do like the meerkat ones) but I did notice some product placement on Coronation Street - now that advertising I noticed!

No, I never see adverts on TV or bother with ones I see in magazines.

N I'm far too contrary but I do enjoy reading the cod-science attached to beauty products out to my husband especially if they have prices on.

Hooray for the ff button! Hard to avoid adverts completely, but mostly I find that they put me off buying based on the premise that, if they can afford to advertise on tv, then their products must be overpriced to pay for the ads

If I notice an advert on the telly it's because it has a catchy tune or a cute puppy or funny message. I have no interest in the product being advertised.

I think we probably do notice advertising subliminally and are affected by it even if we don't think we are. Maybe we don't consciously but the product but we know about it and recognise it when we see it.

Nowadays there are very subtle forms of advertising, YouTube etc

I try to fast forward all adverts but if I am watching a programme, that is when I make coffee or go to the loo. Not quite what the advert makers want to hear.The advert will have to be shown many times before I notice it, eg Churchill's dog has stuck in my brain.

I think you are quite right Nonnie and that everyone is affected subliminally, even though they can 'turn away' from products on tv. We all find catchy jingles going round our heads at times to do with products, and even if we don't realise what's happening on a conscious level, when we come to buy say a beauty product or even a food product, who knows what has made us decide that way? It's all very clever.

I am fed up with the coke bottles having names on. The ones in ASDA were all called Mum or Dad this week. Am bemused as to point.

Not in the least! I think I am immune to advertising in terms of what I buy. I find most of those on TV annoy me thoroughly.

IMO the best in recent years are the Specsaver adds. They really make me laugh but I still go to the same independent optician in our village.

I don't think that tv adverts have an effect on what I buy. But I'd like to understand why, when I nip into a supermarket to buy one item, I end up with a basket of stuff [sometimes more]. If I think about it, the only thing recently that I've never bought before but decided to buy was Redbush tea, and that was because it was mentioned on here.

I always stop and watch that meerkat baby crying - gets me every time. I don't buy the insurance though. I can often sing an advert jingle word and tune perfect but not know what product it advertises. I think it must register though or they wouldn't spend such money on advertising.

One of the best ever was 'Nothing works faster than Anadin', hooked a lot of people but didn't actually say that Anadin works faster than anything!

I am like you rackgran and love the baby meerkat. I too dont use the site or buy the insurance. I have been known to sit through the ads but not very often as they really dont go in. I know they say its subliminal nut if I want to buy anything I research it myself. I do get annoyed though if I have googled anything and then get ads for the item on my screen all the time. I have ad blocker but some seem to get through.

But then Carol that must mean they work. I rarely even notice the adds on my screen, think I must have tuned out.

This has made me think and wonder - are those who say that we MUST be affected by adverts, the ones who are?

Only, I don't remember any catchy jingles, as previously mentioned, since the day of the shake and vac advert! I turn the sound off my computer and use admuncher, it's only on my tablet that ads can pop up. I no longer buy magazines or papers.

I can't even buy films on googleplay because I can't read their emails, as they are adverts! No hardship, I have to add. I've lost count of the times people have said 'Have you tried the new *?' and I have never heard of it, and feel that it is my gain.

If I want something, I google for it and read zillions of reviews first. My mother sees things she likes in magazines, I go online for them for her and can always buy them elsewhere far cheaper.

I admit to nearly being taken in by a telly ad. I was channel hopping and came across telescoping and there was some cream being advertised which ironed out eye wrinkles within seconds. I was sorely tempted but visited Amazon first and read their reviews - and my money has remained in my pocket

I meant teleshopping!

Janerowena Nobody is accusing you of being taken in by ads on tv [or anywhere else.]That's fine if you don't watch them read them or see them accidentally. However most people do see them.A lot.

I hate to feel manipulated by them. I do everything I can to avoid them. I know sites make money from them, so feel torn sometimes, but having read blogs over quite a few years, and watched as they went down the advertising route and changed the way they wrote as a result, especially when they had to write a product recommendation - well, it put me off all advertising as a result.

I don't think I'm influenced by them. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to avoid them, that way madness lies! I've got used to the pop-ups, I just ignore them...

It's too late, the madness has already taken hold, you should have told me sooner! If I find something interesting and get a noisy pop-up I instantly close the tab! So usually turn off the sound when browsing. I do think maybe I am getting a bit anal about it.