YouGov.com By Paul Hiebert, March 27, 2017
New data shows that nearly three-quarters of US adults feel the ads they see, hear, or read are generally honest
Three years ago, in March, 2014, a YouGov survey found that 56% of US adults who came across at least one advertisement per month felt that the ads they saw, read, or heard were generally honest. Today, that number has risen 16 points – meaning that, at present, nearly three-quarters of the American public considers advertisements honest.
A similar lift appeared when people were answered if they trust the ads they see, read, or hear. In 2014, 50% of US adults said they trust advertisements. In 2017, however, this number increased to 61%.
As people’s overall trust in advertising has grown, so has their interest in more regulation. In 2014, for instance, 58% of US adults agreed that there should be stronger requirements for proving claims in advertising. Currently, this number sits at 64%.