Subliminal Advertising: What Is It? Types and Examples

You’ve probably heard something about subliminal advertising, but you don’t know exactly what it is or how to take advantage of it.

Subliminal advertising is one of the least understood topics for most people who are getting started in marketing.

And yet subliminal advertising has been with us ever since modern business was born.

What is subliminal advertising?

Subliminal advertising means creating a message through an image, video, sound or text that goes completely unnoticed by the conscious mind so that the subconscious processes it and pushes the user to take an action. It is therefore a form of influence, and perhaps of manipulation.

Many prestigious brands have run advertising campaigns of this kind, and their success is borne out by the large sums of money they have made.

However, this type of advertising is quite controversial among marketing experts.

Types of subliminal advertising

To help you better understand everything this subject covers, you need to know the types of advertising that exist, or at least the best known so far, so you can consider possible strategies for your business if you decide to use it:

► Subliminal advertising in text

Here, the best name for it would be “subliminal message”, because that is what texts are: messages.

The curious thing is that it doesn’t seem possible to create subliminal messages through text, because everything is in plain sight, meaning you can read and analyze it consciously.

But the fact is that it can be done.

All you need is a professional advertising writer (a copywriter) to get there.

Admittedly, this is one of the hardest methods of all, because it’s not just about finding your buyer persona: you also need to know how their subconscious works. And in practice, that is a very difficult task.

► Subliminal advertising in images

Subliminal advertising in images and banners naturally has a big impact. Just look at the countless advertising billboards out on the street to see this theory in action.

The images you see while you’re driving, waiting for the subway or the bus, or browsing a website have an effect on your mind.

Keep in mind that an image is information, and the brain stores it, so you remember and analyze it even if you’re not aware of it.

► Subliminal advertising in videos

Subliminal advertising in videos is one of the most widely used forms in advertising campaigns today, because a video can bring into play a series of factors that the conscious mind may not be able to pick up on.

One of the clearest reasons behind this theory is the combination of the people involved, the messages and the setting of the video.

However, although the strategy has to be more elaborate, it is easier to apply because it makes it possible to brainstorm with different departments of a company, so the strategy can be more productive.

► Subliminal messages in a logo

Logos can contain subliminal messages and, of course, this can be put to use in advertising.

A logo is the philosophical expression of a company and its intentions.

The funny thing is that in most cases people don’t notice these messages, because they focus more on the design than on the meaning of the logo itself; in other words, they only see the surface.

That’s why companies take advantage of logos to send subliminal messages.

► Subliminal advertising in music

Subliminal advertising in music involves embedding verbal or audio messages hidden within a music track, with the aim of influencing the listener on a subconscious level.

These messages may take the form of phrases spoken at a very low volume, or even a specific frequency modulation that resonates with the human psyche.

Often, these techniques are used to convey promotional messages, build an emotional connection with a brand or shape the listener’s perception of a product or service.

The effectiveness of this type of advertising is still debated, but there is no denying its ongoing presence in the music industry.

► Subliminal advertising on social media

On social media, subliminal advertising shows up in many forms, often taking advantage of the visual and highly interactive nature of these platforms.

This can include strategic product placement in photos or videos, or using influencers to subtly promote a product without explicit disclosure.

Or using algorithms to present ads in a way that resonates with users on a subconscious level.

How do you create a subliminal message in advertising?

Creating effective subliminal messages is a delicate process that requires a deep understanding of human psychology and marketing techniques.

Below is a general outline of the steps you can follow to create a subliminal advertising campaign:

► Identifying your target audience

Before starting any campaign, it is essential to identify and understand your target audience.

This means researching their preferences, habits, demographics and other aspects that may influence their subconscious perception.

Once you’ve identified them, you can start developing messages that resonate effectively with this specific group.

► Choosing media and formats

The next step is selecting the most suitable media and formats to convey the subliminal messages.

These can range from traditional formats, such as television and radio, to digital media, including social networks and video platforms.

The choice of medium will largely depend on where your target audience consumes the most content.

► Developing the content

Creating content that includes subliminal messages takes meticulous planning and execution. Here are two key strategies for developing subliminal content:

Using images and keywords

Images and keywords can be powerful tools for conveying subliminal messages.

Images can contain hidden visual elements or symbolism that connects with viewers’ subconscious.

Likewise, keywords can be chosen and used in a way that triggers specific emotional responses, subtly guiding consumers’ perceptions and actions.

Using subliminal sounds and music

Music and sounds can also be effective tools for creating subliminal messages.

This may involve embedding hidden audio messages within a music track or using certain sound frequencies that can influence listeners’ emotional state.

The choice of music and sounds must be carefully calibrated to resonate with the emotions and motivations of the target audience.

► Testing and adjusting the campaign

Once it’s developed, it is vital to test the campaign to assess its effectiveness.

This can include A/B tests to compare different versions of an ad, or running focus groups to get direct feedback from consumers.

Based on the results of these tests, the campaign can be adjusted and fine-tuned to maximize its impact and effectiveness.

In short, creating an effective subliminal message is a process that requires a combination of careful research, strategic planning and meticulous execution.

With the right approach, these messages can be a powerful tool in any marketer’s arsenal.

5 examples of subliminal advertising

I think there’s nothing better than examples to help anyone understand a concept, including online advertising.

And that’s exactly what I’m going to do now, so your understanding of this topic grows exponentially.

This time, I’ll give you some examples of subliminal advertising with the aim of adding value. Sound good?

With that said, let’s get started:

► SFX Magazine

SFX Magazine is a magazine that specializes in science fiction films, and it often covers up the letter F so that it looks like an E.

If you look at the image, the stars of the movie Twilight appear half-naked on the cover, and they happen to cover the letter F, making it look as if it says “sex” instead of “SFX”.

And I ask myself: who doesn’t like sex? Everyone does. So what does the cover suggest? That the stars have had a sexual encounter.

I’m sure more than a few curious readers looked up the article to find out what it was really about:

► The Simpsons

You don’t always need advertising to leave subliminal messages.

One of the clearest examples is the famous cartoon series The Simpsons, which constantly sends “hidden” messages to its audience.

If you’ve watched the show, besides deserving congratulations for watching a series that has already made history in our society, you know perfectly well that what I’m saying is true.

Here’s a short clip from the show so you can see it with your own eyes:

► Terra

Sex has a strong impact on our society. And advertising is no exception.

As proof, Terra has used it more than once to promote itself.

Here you can see a series of images that invite you to think of the male anatomy.

Given this, don’t you think they’re sending subliminal messages?

► Amazon

Did you think Amazon doesn’t send subliminal messages to users just because it’s one of the biggest online stores in the world? If that’s what you think, you’re wrong.

The proof is in its own logo. Granted, the message is very discreet, and you may not see it at first glance.

But if you look closely, the logo has an arrow that starts at the A and ends pointing at the Z.

Amazon hasn’t revealed the real meaning of its logo, but according to many experts, this prestigious brand is telling users that they can find every kind of product from A to Z.

In short, whatever product you’re looking for, you’ll find it with them, no matter what it is.

► Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola’s famous slogan “Sensación de vivir” (“The feeling of living”) will go down in history. I’m sure that every time you hear this phrase, you automatically think of them.

However, they wanted to go further and linked The Lord of the Rings to their brand.

How? Take a close look at the image:

Did you see it? That’s right: the ring says Coca-Cola. Could this mean the power is in your hands?

Conclusion

I think that speaks for itself. All companies take subliminal advertising very seriously when promoting their products or services.

It’s a way of persuading users without them realizing it, or at least that’s the intention. Could you apply it to bulk email?

A lot of money has been invested in this type of advertising since it began, but it’s clear that many companies have made the most of it, earning significant sums of money.

You might want to try subliminal advertising after everything you’ve learned, but I recommend that you think your strategy through very carefully, so you don’t end up sending the wrong message to your audience.

These techniques rely on psychological triggers and social norms that influence the purchase decision without the consumer being aware of it.

Jose Argudo

CMO at Mailrelay. Writes about email marketing, copywriting, and conversion for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

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