Some people believe that advertising is becoming less effective. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Some people think that advertising is becoming less effective at influencing what people buy. In my opinion, this is a positive development because it helps consumers think more carefully and pushes companies to focus on real quality instead of just marketing.

Firstly, this trend helps consumers become more independent and careful about what they buy. As people get used to seeing advertisements everywhere, they stop trusting them as much and start looking for real information instead. In Vietnam, for example, many young people now skip YouTube ads within a few seconds and use software to block online ads. Instead, they read reviews from other buyers on Shopee or Lazada before deciding to buy something. This means people are less likely to buy things just because of an attractive advertisement.

Secondly, this trend forces companies to improve their products instead of just spending more money on advertising. For example, instead of only using TV commercials, many Vietnamese brands now use livestream selling and work with small influencers who show how a product really works. Because viewers can ask questions and see honest opinions, companies that give false information quickly lose customers' trust, while companies that offer good products keep them. This pushes businesses to compete based on quality, not just clever advertising.

In conclusion, I believe that the declining effectiveness of advertising is a good thing. It makes consumers smarter shoppers and encourages businesses to offer real value, which benefits everyone in the market.

Advertising is widely believed to be losing its power to influence what people buy, and in my view this is a positive development rather than a worrying one. Although it undoubtedly makes life harder for marketers, the broader effect is a more critical consumer base and a fairer marketplace.

The main benefit of this trend is that it encourages consumers to think more critically before making a purchase. As television commercials and online banner ads become easier to ignore, especially among younger, more advertising-savvy audiences, people are pushed to judge products on their actual merits rather than on catchy slogans or celebrity endorsements. This is particularly clear in Vietnam, where widespread ad-blocking software and the habit of skipping YouTube ads reflect a public that has grown tired of constant interruptions. Shoppers now increasingly rely on user reviews and price comparisons on platforms like Shopee before committing to a purchase, making them far less vulnerable to impulse buying.

This trend also pushes businesses to compete on genuine value rather than flashy marketing campaigns. Rather than relying purely on billboard or television advertising, many Vietnamese brands, from cosmetics companies to food producers, now build trust through livestream selling and partnerships with small, relatable influencers who demonstrate products honestly. Because audiences can question sellers directly and compare experiences in real time, businesses that exaggerate their claims are quickly exposed, while those offering genuine quality earn lasting customer loyalty.

In conclusion, rather than signalling a crisis for businesses, the declining power of traditional advertising represents a beneficial shift. It sharpens consumers' judgement and pushes companies toward creating real value, a change that ultimately serves everyone in the marketplace.

The waning power of conventional advertising to influence purchasing decisions is, on balance, a welcome development rather than a cause for concern. Although this shift undeniably complicates life for marketers, its broader consequences point toward sharper consumers and a healthier, more merit-based marketplace.

Chief among the benefits is the greater autonomy and critical thinking this trend fosters among consumers. As glossy television commercials and exaggerated banner ads lose their grip, particularly on younger, increasingly ad-literate audiences, people are compelled to judge products on genuine merit rather than catchy jingles or celebrity endorsements. This shift is especially visible in Vietnam, where widespread use of ad-blocking software and the habit of skipping YouTube pre-roll ads within seconds reflect a public that has grown weary of interruption-based marketing. In its place, shoppers increasingly turn to user reviews on Shopee and Lazada, side-by-side price comparisons, and candid unboxing videos before committing to a purchase, a shift toward evidence-based decision-making that leaves consumers far less vulnerable to impulse buying driven by slick campaigns alone.

This trend also compels businesses to abandon superficial marketing spectacle in favour of authentic engagement and genuine product quality. Rather than relying on traditional billboard and television spend, an increasing number of Vietnamese brands, from cosmetics start-ups to established food companies, now build trust through livestream selling sessions and partnerships with everyday micro-influencers who demonstrate products candidly rather than reciting scripted claims. Because audiences can see real usage, ask questions in real time, and compare notes with other viewers in the chat, sellers who exaggerate or mislead are quickly exposed and lose credibility, whereas those offering genuine value build lasting customer loyalty. This shift rewards substance over spectacle, pushing companies to compete on quality rather than sheer advertising volume.

In conclusion, far from signalling a crisis for the marketplace, the declining effectiveness of traditional advertising marks a beneficial evolution. It equips consumers with sharper judgement and steers businesses toward authentic value creation, a shift that ultimately benefits everyone participating in the market.