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There are many secret tactics that marketers use to win customers over and sell their products. Some of these can include triggering customer’s ‘pain points’ or weaponizing the fear of missing out. Whilst these play on the subconscious minds of potential customers, they’re not necessarily questionable practices.

But there’s one type of advertising we’ve never heard of before, and it’s slightly more menacing. Although it’s probably unintentional, these adverts definitely evoke some strange feelings deep within us.

We’re talking about Ads With Threatening Auras and the Facebook group of the same name. People share the bizarre yet funny adverts they’ve encountered online or IRL that give off chaotic energy. Scroll through, vote for your favorites and you’ll see what we mean.

Bored Panda spoke with Áron Somos, the founder of the group, to learn more about how it got started. Being fond of finding niche interests on Facebook, he explained how it's actually the second popular group that he's created.

“I created this page based on previous experience and on the back of an idea,” he said. “Roughly ten years ago, when Facebook introduced the group feature, I created one for a particular car model, solely to experiment with this function. A year-and-a-half in, that group started to explode and is currently at 112K members.”

One thing led to another and Áron had the idea to start another group that he’d enjoy working on even more. “With the growth of the group came the increased responsibility of moderation,” he explained.

“I'd been doing it for a while when I started to think, if I'm spending that much time on daily moderation, why not create something that's equally fun, funny, and possibly monetizable?”

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However, Facebook’s policies on content monetization are incredibly specific. So, whilst the group isn’t a cash cow, Áron made a point that money isn’t everything and the real treasure is what the page brings to himself and others. 

“Although I'm yet to see a penny from the group, it never failed to give me a good giggle,” he said. “It can sometimes be time-consuming to moderate, but getting that daily laugh I'd say is a well-worth payoff.” 

Many people may not realize it, but Facebook can be surprisingly lucrative for creators meeting those monetization policies. In a post shared from his page, founder Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to make the platform even more enticing to creators.

He said, “We want to build the best platforms for millions of creators to make a living, so we're creating new programs to invest over $1 billion to reward creators for great content they create on Facebook and Instagram through 2022. Investing in creators isn't new for us, but I'm excited to expand this work over time.”

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Julia Lu Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That death reaper should be replaced with a contract for free health care /s

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And whilst Facebook also owns Instagram (another cornerstone of social media), the company faces stiff competition from other digital giants looking to bring in users. With YouTube being the established place for video creators and Twitch spearheading the streaming movement, Facebook has reinvented itself in some ways to keep up. For example, videos are now easier to find through the ‘Watch’ tab on its homepage and Facebook Gaming is bridging the gap for its users to get into different video game streamers.

#10

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Kelvin Sirco Simz Report

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Amsterdude
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was probably a frustrated priest as it stands for 'Wish To Fornicate'

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Ñïïäh Ñïïäh Report

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Samantha Lomb
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are also now suing Texas to demand their members be allowed abortions in accordance with their faith. They are great people

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The company also focused its efforts on more video content by introducing the Reels feature to Instagram. This was in direct response to the astronomical rise of TikTok. In fact, TikTok was the most downloaded application in 2020, beating out both Facebook and Instagram for the top spot. Its popularity has shown us that short-format, user-created videos might not just be a fun way to pass the time but also a profitable one.

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#15

Ads-With-Threatening-Auras

Kai Blank Report

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Slick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worse part of this is that some people needed to be reminded of this.

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Sergio Bicerra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, 100%. Many may think that billboard is awful, but it happens, and if awareness can save some girl', we need more of these. Also extend the message to uncles, cousins, brothers. In my country nearly 15% of underage pregnancies are caused by a close relative. Very sad.

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Grace Noyes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you, Ryan! The implication that drunkenness is an excuse for raping a date is disgusting!

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Ray_gunn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's not all pretend incest and child abuse is not a problem everywhere.

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The more a light shines on something truly sickening, the harder it is to hide that evil act. This tells victims they are not alone, it tells perpetrating fathers they can not hide either. Empowerment starts here.

stephaniekeith_1 avatar
Stephanie Keith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No! It's saying she's your daughter not your date. As in you should be having sex with your date, not your daughter. It isn't in anyway implying it's okay to rape your date. Why are some of the people in these comments even saying that? It does not say that.

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Patrick O'Harris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So mistreating your date is fine? i mean the idea of the board makes sense but the execution is very very poorly made

joereaves avatar
Joe Reaves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're not talking about 'mistreating' someone, they're talking about having sex with someone. Sex with your date is generally fine yes.

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QueenRhye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess the point is to see it in the harsh light of day when you're sober.

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iblowsheep
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the sign directly across the street/road/highway, (behind the photographer)is the same sign but with sister replacing the word daughter.....and btw, refuge house is in Tallahasee FL

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Analyn Lahr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is common enough somewhere that it needs to be a PSA? The hell?

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Mike Loux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Alabama. Talk about Darwin's waiting room. There are people in Alabama that are their own fathers." --Dennis Miller

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Peter Korsten
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a bit worrying that in Alabama, they feel compelled to point out the distinction between family members and dates...

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On behalf of eastern Kentucky, Pennsyltucky, West Virginia, and hillbilly Virginia, I gotta say it: EWWWW! WTF, Alabama!

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Terry Tobias
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Directing this towards the abuser won't help the situation. The billboard should be directed to the victims who are being abused so that they know where to go to get help and protection!

mysteryegg avatar
Mystery Egg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

huh? Christ on a bike! People need to be TOLD that?! I feel sick.

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Lira Mai
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Peacock, they have this documentary "Monster Among Us", I believe it is in Alabama.

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Isa Trip
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

okay..... i do not know anyone i can provide the number to like the suicide help number

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Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saddens me that this sort of advertisement has to exist... I feel for the victims who exist everywhere.

llsewer avatar
Jaguarundi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gave me a case of the gut wrenching chills. If this needs to be on a billboard, this problem is too large not to be noticed and stopped immediately.

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Glynna Bowood
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is reality for so many- A billboard will never stop it but it may convince the victims to seek refuge from such a horror.

arielb avatar
LazyPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent job. Call it out. Smash the taboo. Let her know she doesn't have to hide. Let him know we are looking out and he won't be able to hide. Who cares if it makes us uncomfortable. If it's happening it needs to be made known.

eppetot avatar
Eppe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this happens on any siginificant scale in that area (which is a depressing thought), then good for refuge house for addressing it publicly.

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Ru Bee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The implication that if she was your date this would be okay disgusts me.

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Jennifer Hargett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a NW Florida area code. But it is often referred to as south Alabama as well as "the Redneck Riviera."

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beautiful plumage
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

850 area code. it's more like "what in the north florida." but yeah. if you really need to make this billboard, things are going great there. i don't care who your cousin is!

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Markus Holstein
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG just imagine you're the (stock photo model? Girl who voluntarily signed up for it?) who ended up on that ad

suzn34 avatar
Susan Bosse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brain exploded from trying to read it. Then it did it again once I decifered it. Holy crap. This is horrifying on a number of levels.

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JayCee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They needed to aim the message at the victim, rather than a perpetrator, who likely doesn't give a f.

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Orion C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Getting is an drunk ever excuse? What the drunk heavens?

abtverena avatar
Verena Abt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So it's okay to rape her if she was your date? Am I getting this right?

stephaniekeith_1 avatar
Stephanie Keith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No! It's saying she's your daughter not your date. As in you should be having sex with your date, not your daughter. It isn't in anyway implying it's okay to rape your date. Why are some of the people in these comments even saying that? It does not say that.

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SuperChicken
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whaaaat???? She's your daughter, not your date? What the heck is that about? So, it's ok to drink and drive with your date? That does not make any sense. at all.

joereaves avatar
Joe Reaves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It literally says it's about incest, where the heck do you get the idea they're talking about drinking and driving?

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This sign says that it's ok to rape your date when you're drunk.

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Aliquid
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it says getting drunk is *never* and excuse. Raping your date would also fall under the "never" category.. Although I agree it was very poorly phrased

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If anyone is still in the dark about how Facebook is making its money to pay its creators, the answer is in the title of this article. Adverts. Well, maybe not always with threatening auras, but adverts nonetheless.

Facebook makes almost all of its money from selling advertising space to businesses and marketers. According to reports from Statista, Facebook made over $84 billion in advertising revenue in 2020 alone. It’s a big leap from previous years (in part to the various lockdowns worldwide) and those numbers are set to grow.

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With almost anyone being able to advertise on Facebook, it feels like no thought goes into the process anymore. This is probably why we see the bizarre examples here and Ads With Threatening Auras has popped up as a result of this too. Carefully constructed campaigns are gone and you see these advertising atrocities here instead.

#19

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Ella Dempster Report

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely not going to play haunting melodies in the middle of the night because it is totally not possessed.

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT? is this serious? Nah, can't be, I'm confused. Need more coffee.

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In trying to define what makes the group so interesting and engaging to users, Áron noted this as well: there’s plenty of adverts with creepy photos or poor word choice that highlight the importance of an editor or an approval process. 

“We are surrounded by so many advertisements that just don't feel right. They're either odd, cringe, or weirdly funny,” he said.

“Either way, a somewhat professional team or a big dog at a firm signed it off. That fact highlights that we're only human, and being higher up in the food chain doesn't mean that we're evidently better at PR. I believe the group filled a gap in our lives and created a platform for everyone to go to when they encounter such an ad.”

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#23

Ads-With-Threatening-Auras

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Marno C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I am curious if he was offering payment or if he knew there'd be enough interested streakers willing to do it for free.

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So long as there are weird adverts, there will always be plenty to share in the group. With over 73K members, I asked Áron to give us his insights into the type of people posting there.

“Our community is very diverse,” he explained. “It's not revolved around a certain age or ethnicity. Most people are there to have a good time and never fail to engage in a conversation with others on a particularly funny or controversial post. I truly enjoy building a like-minded, yet diverse community that can sometimes disagree but express it in an appropriate way.”

Áron said that the “good old Wish ads” are a recurring theme seen in the group too. For those who haven’t had the fortune of seeing one themselves, there are often strange items for sale at incredibly low prices. Check out an earlier article on it here to see more. 

He also highlighted how Facebook is to blame for some adverts not reaching their intended audience. He said, “It's also quite thought-provoking how the algorithm offers some absolutely outrageous suggestions, like a bondage bed for elementary students or post-nut clarity article for a father of two.”

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#29

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BorPand8
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It really happened. Fortunately the boy's okay because he was wearing glasses at the time. Otherwise it would have blinded him.

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Patrick Hollander Report

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Pixie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps it is supposed to stop people hitting their children (referencing the ad from the satanic temple above)

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Áron finished off with his favorite picks from the group that capture the mood best: “It's hard to pick a favorite but I like the terrible ones like the funeral ad in the subway saying ‘come a little closer’. Or the one passive-aggressively commanding you to download the app because they paid for the ad.” 

Let’s hope that “Threatening Aura” is a term that stays a meme and isn’t added to the ‘Marketing 101’ book. All the same, it makes for some great laughs.

#38

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was the shittiest idea. I can just imagine them having a company meeting to come up with this.

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#40

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Thallie Slothennagar Report

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