The art of deceptive advertising: From brown shoe polish on burgers to hairspray for brighter ingredients, how commercials trick us into buying their products



Ever wondered why your Big Mac looks so different from that McDonald's billboard? Or why your hotel pool seems overly small compared to its website picture?



A new inforgraphic from Finances Online reveals just how far companies will go to make their products seem more appealing - from replacing actual ice cream with mashed potato for a more solid appearance to using motor oil for honey or syrup.



One of the most common examples is advertised images of hamburgers, which show items between the bun to be larger are brighter than they really are, leading consumers to think the food is riper, fresher, and otherwise healthier than it really is.

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Spot the differnce: A new inforgraphic from Finances Online reveals just how far companies will go to make their products seem more appealing

To show the disparity between common ads and actual products, the personal finances website compared popular food, hotel and fashion brands, revealing how different the ad images can look from actual items.

Frozen food packages are repeat offenders, with companies like Smart Ones advertising the meals perfectly plated with fresh ingredients.

Although a 'serving suggestion' disclaimer is a legal requirement of an image which includes ingredients not included in the purchase, if a customer fails to notice the tiny caption, they often incorrectly assume that all depicted items are included.



What's in the box? Frozen food packages are repeat offenders, with companies like Smart Ones advertising its meals perfectly plated with fresh ingredients

Tips and tricks: From replacing actual ice cream with mashed potato for a more solid appearance to using motor oil for honey or syrup, the infographic reveals what really goes into food photography

Deception in advertising is not just limited to food products, however.



Hotels and resorts often alter images or use deceptive angles to manipulate the real building's real surroundings.

For example, one hotel advertisement used a cleverly positioned low angle to feature what appears to be an infinity pool. But in truth, the pool is simply round in shape.



Clever photography: Hotels and resorts often alter images or use deceptive angles to manipulate the real building's real surroundings

Airbrushed to perfection: Cosmetic companies are notorious for using Photoshop to alter advertising campaigns - in 2011 a make-up ad featuring Julia Roberts was banned because of its use of 'airbrushing'

Easy targets: Children are often duped by commercials; and when they finally receive that toy or outdoor paddling pool they are given a rude awakening when they find that the product is far smaller than advertised

Cosmetic companies are notorious for using Photoshop to alter advertising campaigns.

A Christian Dior mascara ad featuring Natalie Portman was banned in 2012 after rival makeup company L’Oreal complained that the magazine ad was misleading and exaggerated.

And in 2011 make-up advertisements featuring Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington were banned because of their controversial use of 'airbrushing'.

Who to trust? With nearly half of Americans believing advertising to 'fairly honest', it seems consumers will continue to be tricked into buying disappointing products

Children are also often duped by commercials; when they finally receive that toy or outdoor paddling pool they have been patiently waiting for, they are given a rude awakening when they find that the product is far smaller than advertised.

