Why Marketing Gimmicks Are Used (Even If Everyone Claims to Hate Them)

The Gimmick Dilemma: Why Brands Keep Using Tricks

Ask anyone what they think about marketing gimmicks, and most people will tell you they hate them. The clickbait headlines, the exaggerated claims, the “limited time only” scarcity tactics, everyone rolls their eyes. But here’s the truth: they're used because they work.

Marketing gimmicks have stood the test of time, and in the digital age, they've only evolved. What were once TV infomercial tricks have now become social media hooks, outrageous guarantees, and viral rage bait. As frustrating as they can be to consumers, these tactics still drive engagement, clicks, and conversions. That is the lifeblood of online marketing today.

A Brief History of Gimmicks in Marketing

Marketing gimmicks are not new. They have just changed formats over time. Long before social media, the same psychological tactics were being used to sell dreams, quick fixes, and miracle cures.

Snake Oil Salesmen and Carnival Barkers

In the 1800s, so-called “snake oil salesmen” traveled town to town selling cure-all tonics. These elixirs claimed to solve everything from baldness to joint pain. Of course, most of them were nothing more than flavored water or alcohol, but the promise of transformation was enough to generate sales.

At carnivals and fairs, barkers would shout wild claims and outrageous challenges to draw a crowd. The louder and more dramatic, the more attention they got. Sound familiar? It is not unlike the hooks we see in reels, TikToks, and YouTube thumbnails today.

Tricking people, or at the very least, provoking strong emotional reactions, has always been a part of selling. The platforms may change, but human psychology stays the same.

Gimmicks Are Engineered for Attention

The online world is louder than ever. There are millions of posts, ads, videos, and promotions competing for attention every minute. Realistic messaging gets drowned out. Subtlety is ignored. In a world of noise, gimmicks are engineered to break through.

Why They Work:

• Emotional Triggers: Outrage, curiosity, fear of missing out, or hope for transformation
• Clear Rewards: Big promises make people stop and consider, even if skeptically
• Algorithm Favorability: Rage bait and polarizing content gets more comments and shares, which means more reach

Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over truth. So when a piece of content generates likes, comments, or shares, even if they are angry or skeptical, it gets boosted. This is why we see wild claims, confrontational content, and hooks like “You’ve been doing this all wrong your entire life…”

The Arms Race of Outrageous Promises

It has become a race to the top of the feed. Every brand is trying to out-shout the others. The result? More extreme headlines. Bigger promises. Louder voices.

Examples of Common Gimmicks:

• “This 1 Trick Will 10x Your Revenue Overnight”
• “You’re Wasting Money If You’re Not Doing THIS”
• “No One Talks About This Marketing Secret (But It Works Every Time)”

We all recognize them, and yet we still click. And that is why they continue. Even the most skeptical consumer is drawn in by curiosity or FOMO.

Playing It Straight Can Hurt Your Business

Many founders and business owners try to market themselves honestly. They downplay guarantees, avoid over-the-top hooks, and stay grounded. But the unfortunate reality is that being realistic often means being invisible.

Why It Hurts:

• Honest messaging rarely creates emotional reactions
• Understated claims do not stand out in social feeds
• Competing brands with louder hooks steal attention and the click

If your business is committed to integrity but does not adapt to the attention economy, you risk getting lost in the noise. One way to do that without relying on gimmicks is by having a clear, well-thought-out marketing strategy that focuses on your long-term brand and customer relationships.

This does not mean you need to lie or mislead. But it does mean learning to package truth in a way that competes. Strong positioning, bold messaging, and emotionally driven hooks do not have to be dishonest. They just have to be attention-worthy.

Finding the Balance Between Hype and Honesty

Marketing gimmicks are not going away. As long as algorithms reward attention and consumers fall for big promises, these tactics will continue to thrive. The key for brands is finding a way to cut through the noise without compromising trust.

How to Compete Without Selling Your Soul:

• Be genuine and authentic in your messaging
• Always be honest about what your product or service can do
• Focus on creating long-term value, not short-term attention
• Speak directly to your audience with clarity, not hype
• Share real stories, real results, and honest expectations

This approach may not get you the most views, likes, or social media impressions. But that does not matter nearly as much as building trust. People buy from brands they know and trust. When you build that trust over time, you create a foundation for sustainable growth. It may take longer, but it is far better than building a business on gimmicks and hype that collapse like a house of cards. Gimmicks work because they have been optimized for the attention economy. So if you are wondering why everyone keeps using them, now you know.

If you want help cutting through the noise without building your business on hype, consider working with a Fractional CMO who can guide your brand with experience and strategic clarity.

Conclusion: They Work, and That Is Why They Are Everywhere

Even if people claim they hate gimmicks, these tactics have been around forever because they get results. Sure, there are always going to be individuals who see through the tricks and scroll right past.

But the reality is that those few losses are easily outweighed by the huge number of people who do click, comment, share, or buy.

People complain about how much influencers make. But the reason influencers make big money is simple. People do what influencers tell them to do. If they did not, brands would not keep paying them.

At the end of the day, marketing gimmicks stick around because they convert. Whether you love them or hate them, they are part of the game. The real question is: how will your brand stand out in a world that rewards volume, emotion, and attention?