The prevalence of deceptive or misleading advertisements on the YouTube platform has become a notable concern for both viewers and legitimate advertisers. These advertisements often promote products or services of dubious quality, employ deceptive marketing tactics, or even lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal information. A common example includes advertisements for miracle cures, get-rich-quick schemes, or counterfeit goods, all promising unrealistic outcomes.
The presence of these misleading promotional materials erodes user trust in the platform and its advertising ecosystem. This can negatively impact the effectiveness of legitimate advertising campaigns, as consumers become increasingly skeptical of all advertisements they encounter. Historically, online advertising has struggled with verification and quality control, but the scale and reach of YouTube amplify the potential damage caused by these deceptive practices.