<\/title><\/p>\n<style>\n :root { color-scheme: light; supported-color-schemes: light; }\n body { margin: 0; padding: 0; min-width: 100%!important; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -webkit-transform: scale(1) !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; }\n .body { word-wrap: normal; word-spacing:normal; }\n table.mso { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; table-layout: fixed; }\n img { border: 0; outline: none; }\n table { mso-table-lspace: 0px; mso-table-rspace: 0px; }\n td, a, span { mso-line-height-rule: exactly; }\n #root [x-apple-data-detectors=true],\n a[x-apple-data-detectors=true],\n #MessageViewBody a { color: inherit !important; text-decoration: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; font-weight: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; }\n span.MsoHyperlink { color: inherit !important; mso-style-priority: 99 !important; }\n span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: inherit !important; 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}\n .w p a { text-decoration: underline !important;color:#FFFFFF !important; }\n ul { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin:0px 0px 0px 25px !important;padding:0px !important;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:24px;list-style-type:disc !important;font-size:16px; }\n ul ul { list-style-type:circle !important; }\n ul ul ul { list-style-type:square !important; }\n ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:disc !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:circle !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:square !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:disc !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:circle !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:square !important; }\n ul > li { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px !important; color: #2D2D2D; }\n ol { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px !important;padding:0px !important;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:24px;list-style:decimal;font-size:16px; }\n ol > li { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px !important; color: #2D2D2D; }\n .e h3,\n .e p,\n .e span { padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mso-margin-top-alt:0px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:0px; }\n .e span,\n .e li { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:24px; }\n .rec { font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, \"Helvetica Neue\", Arial, \"Noto Sans\", sans-serif, \"Apple Color Emoji\", \"Segoe UI Emoji\", \"Segoe UI Symbol\", \"Noto Color Emoji\" !important; }\n .rec__button:hover { background-color: #f9fafb !important; }\n .copyright a {color: inherit !important; text-decoration: none !important; font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; font-weight: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important;}\n .txt_social p { padding: 0; word-break: break-all; }\n .table, .table-c, .table-h { border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; }\n .table-c { padding:5px; background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n .table-c p { color: #2D2D2D; font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif !important;overflow-wrap: break-word; }\n .table-h { padding:5px; background-color:#F1F1F1; }\n .table-h p { color: #2A2A2A; font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif !important;overflow-wrap: break-word; }\n @media only screen and (max-width:667px) {\n .aa, .w100pc { width: 100% !important; }\n .bb img { width: 100% !important; height: auto !important; max-width: none !important; }\n .cc { padding: 0px 8px !important; }\n .ee { padding-top:10px !important;padding-bottom:10px !important; }\n .ff ul, .ff ol { margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px !important;padding: 0px !important; }\n .ff li { margin:10px 0px 0px 10px !important; }\n .r {height:140px !important;}\n .s p { font-size:13px !important;line-height:15px !important; }\n .mob-hide {display:none !important;}\n .mob-show {display: block !important; width: auto !important; overflow: visible !important; float: none !important; max-height: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important;}\n .mob-stack {width:100% !important;display:block !important;}\n .mob-w-full {width:100% !important;}\n .mob-block {display:block !important;}\n .embed-img {padding:0px 0px 12px 0px !important;}\n .socialShare {padding-top:15px !important;}\n .rec { padding-left:15px!important;padding-right:15px!important; }\n .bodyWrapper { padding:10px 4px 10px 4px !important; }\n .social-mobile {float:left !important;margin-top:10px !important;}\n }\n @media screen and (max-width: 480px) {\n u + .a .gg { width: 100% !important; width: 100vw !important; }\n .tok-heart { padding-top:75% !important; }\n .tok-play { padding-top: 250px !important; }\n }\n @media screen and (max-width: 320px) {\n .tok-heart { padding-top:65% !important; }\n }\n .u { border: 1px solid #CACACA !important; border-radius: 2px !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; padding: 0px 13px 0px 13px !important; font-family:ui-sans-serif,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,\"Noto Sans\",sans-serif !important;font-size: 12px !important; color: #767676 !important; }\n .u a { text-decoration: none; display: block !important; color: #767676 !important; margin: 0px !important; }\n .u span, .u img { color: #767676 !important;margin:0px !important; max-height:32px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important; }\n<\/style>\n<p><\/p>\n<style><\/style>\n<p><\/head><body class=\"a\" style=\"margin:0px auto;padding:0px;word-wrap:normal;word-spacing:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;\"><\/p>\n<div role=\"article\" aria-roledescription=\"email\" aria-label=\"email_name\" lang=\"en\" style=\"font-size:1rem\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"gg\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"670\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"aa\" style=\"width:670px;table-layout:fixed;\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"bodyWrapper\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:10px 5px 10px 5px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;border-style: solid; border-color: #FFFFFF;border-radius:10px 10px 0px 0px;background-color:#FFFFFF;\" class=\"c\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr id=\"header\">\n<td style=\"padding:15px 15px 0px 15px;\">\n<div style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:0px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"f\" align=\"right\" valign=\"top\">\n<p> December 09, 2025 | <a data-read-online-tooltip=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/buildmode.xyz\/p\/the-credibility-crisis-in-digital?utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\">Read online<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:15px 0;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<h1 style=\"text-align:left;font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:Bold;font-size:32px;color:#2A2A2A;padding:2px 0;line-height:38px;\"> The Credibility Crisis in Digital Advertising <\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;font-size:20px;color:#3E3E3E;padding:5px 0;line-height:24px;\"> We have all seen a fake mobile game ad before. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" class=\"dd\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"middle\" class=\"mob-stack\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\" class=\"social-mobile\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"middle\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" style=\"width:100%\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on facebook\" width=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/facebook.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"8\" style=\"width:8px;\"> <\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=We+have+all+seen+a+fake+mobile+game+ad+before.&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&via=tomasmarsal&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on twitter\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/x.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"8\" style=\"width:8px;\"> <\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/intent\/post?text=We+have+all+seen+a+fake+mobile+game+ad+before.+https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on threads\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/threads.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"8\" style=\"width:8px;\"> <\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on linkedin\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/linkedin.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"line-height:0;\">\n<div data-open-tracking=\"true\"> {{OPEN_TRACKING_PIXEL}} <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr id=\"content-blocks\">\n<td class=\"email-card-body\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-bottom:15px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> We have all seen a fake mobile game ad before. You know the type\u2014an ad that promises a certain gameplay experience, but it turns out to be completely different when you download the game. They are everywhere. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> I am not particularly interested in mobile gaming, but these ads have always piqued my curiosity. Every time I see one, I ask myself the same question: Why are some of the biggest mobile game developers investing in ads that have nothing to do with the game they are making? <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> At first glance, it seems like a waste of money, especially considering how much gamers dislike these fake ads. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-top:20px; \" class=\"dd\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"margin:0 auto 0 auto;\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width:630px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/uploads\/asset\/file\/4297c497-3b1b-4f0f-905f-3948df3812fe\/cb30ed0e-b857-4121-9a9f-d3519db3128f_1600x1600.jpg?t=1771948363\" alt=\"\" height=\"auto\" width=\"630\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;\" border=\"0\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> However, it turns out these deceptive ads are far from random. They\u2019re a core strategy in the hyper-casual gaming industry, and while we may find them annoying, they are surprisingly effective in ways that aren\u2019t immediately obvious. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Voodoo and Hyper-Casual Games<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Hyper-casual games are simple, addictive games that are easy to play and often free to download. Think of those games you can play while waiting in line or during a quick break. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> The business model behind these games isn\u2019t about long-term player engagement; instead, it\u2019s about volume\u2014churning out as many games as possible, getting users to download them, and monetizing them through ads. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> In this world, Cost Per Install (CPI) is king. Publishers like <b><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voodoo.io\/?utm_source=newsletter.failory.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ad-driven-validation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span>Voodoo<\/span><\/a><\/b>, one of the biggest players in the industry, thrive by keeping the CPI low, usually under 20 cents, to make their games profitable. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> But here\u2019s the twist\u2014before even developing a game, companies like Voodoo need to know if it\u2019s worth the investment. This is where <b>click-through rate (CTR) tests with fake ads <\/b>come into play. These tests are an ingenious method to gauge user interest before a single line of code is written. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>CTR Tests and Fake Ads<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> So, what exactly are CTR tests, and why are they so important? Simply put, a CTR test measures how many people click on an ad compared to how many people see it. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> For hyper-casual game developers, this metric is crucial. They create short, catchy video ads\u2014often depicting gameplay that doesn\u2019t actually exist\u2014and run them on platforms like Facebook. If the ad generates a high CTR, the developers know they have a concept worth pursuing. If not, they abandon the idea and move on to the next one. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Voodoo routinely create these fake ads to test various game concepts. The goal is to see what catches users\u2019 attention. It\u2019s a quick and cost-effective way to validate ideas. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Other companies like <b><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/gameanalytics.com\/blog\/early-testing-strategies-to-maximize-your-hyper-casual-games-potential\/?utm_source=newsletter.failory.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ad-driven-validation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span>Clap Clap Games follow a similar process<\/span><\/a><\/b>, creating multiple videos, running them as link-click campaigns, and only moving forward with game development if the CTR is promising. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-top:20px; \" class=\"dd\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"margin:0 auto 0 auto;\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width:630px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/uploads\/asset\/file\/3e21c875-aa34-4d25-8cb8-3e8bf0b6e143\/57a467fd-89c0-4780-b0ec-eea19b1a39fa_1177x683.jpg?t=1771948363\" alt=\"\" height=\"auto\" width=\"630\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;\" border=\"0\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> The beauty of this approach lies in its efficiency; it allows developers to test numerous ideas with minimal effort and resources. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> In addition to this, these ads can also be an excellent way to obtain new users. Despite the potential backlash from users who feel tricked, these fake ads are surprisingly effective. While many users might uninstall the game once they realize it\u2019s not what they expected, a good portion will still stick around if it is enjoyable enough. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> This balancing act between user acquisition and retention is what makes or breaks a game in the hyper-casual space. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Beyond Gaming<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> While this strategy is commonplace in the mobile gaming industry, there\u2019s no reason why it can\u2019t be applied elsewhere. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Imagine a startup looking to validate a new feature or product idea. Instead of building a full MVP, they could create a video or mockup of the feature and run a similar CTR test. The idea is to gauge interest before committing significant resources. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> A great example of this approach comes from Dropbox. Before developing their entire product, they released a video explaining what Dropbox would eventually become. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> While this video wasn\u2019t as deceptive as a fake mobile game ad, the underlying idea is the same: create a video for a product that doesn\u2019t exist yet to test its appeal. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> A related strategy, often used in the startup world, is the <b><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.failory.com\/blog\/how-to-build-an-mvp?utm_source=newsletter.failory.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ad-driven-validation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span>Fake Door MVP<\/span><\/a><\/b>. A Fake Door MVP is a landing page for a product that hasn\u2019t been built yet. The page typically explains the product\u2019s features and includes a sign-up button for users to be notified when the product launches. The goal is similar to that of fake ads\u2014to estimate interest in an idea and determine whether it\u2019s worth the investment. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Should I?<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Why This Works<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:37px;padding-right:27px;padding-top:12px;\" class=\"ee\">\n<div style=\"margin-left:0px;\" class=\"edm_outlooklist\">\n<ul style=\"font-weight:normal;list-style-type:disc;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-top:12px !important;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\">\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Low-Cost Validation:<\/b> The strategy allows businesses to validate ideas or concepts with minimal upfront investment. By testing market interest before fully committing to development, companies can avoid costly mistakes and focus resources on ideas with proven potential. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Data-Driven Decision Making:<\/b> The strategy relies on measurable data (e.g., CTR, sign-ups, pre-sales) to guide decisions, making the process more objective and less reliant on gut feelings. This data-driven approach increases the likelihood of success. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Flexibility in Iteration:<\/b> Since the strategy involves testing before development, it offers the flexibility to iterate on ideas quickly. If one concept doesn\u2019t work, it\u2019s easy to move on to another without significant losses. Voodoo usually runs several fake ad campaigns at once, showing a different game concept in each ad. This allows them to quickly test and validate many different ideas and know which one to choose. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>How to Apply It<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:37px;padding-right:27px;padding-top:12px;\" class=\"ee\">\n<div style=\"margin-left:0px;\" class=\"edm_outlooklist\">\n<ul style=\"font-weight:normal;list-style-type:disc;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-top:12px !important;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\">\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Create a <b>simple mockup or video<\/b> of your product or new feature. These don\u2019t have to be polished; the goal is to convey the core concept and test whether it resonates with your audience. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Run <b>CTR tests on social media<\/b>. Voodoo and other gaming companies use Meta almost exclusively for this. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Analyze the data and iterate. Monitor the click-through rate to see if there is interest. Running multiple campaigns simultaneously is helpful as it allows you to compare the CTR between different ideas. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Create a <b>\u201cFake Door\u201d landing page<\/b> for your new product. If you are running fake ads, you can link them back to this fake door. Include CTAs on the page to measure how many people sign up. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> You can take it a step further by attempting to <b>pre-sell your product<\/b>. This is the ultimate validation that your idea has strong potential. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Yes, But<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:37px;padding-right:27px;padding-top:12px;\" class=\"ee\">\n<div style=\"margin-left:0px;\" class=\"edm_outlooklist\">\n<ul style=\"font-weight:normal;list-style-type:disc;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-top:12px !important;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\">\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Potential Backlash<\/b>: Users may feel deceived by fake ads, especially if they realize the advertised product doesn\u2019t exist yet or differs significantly from the final version. This could lead to negative feedback, poor reviews, and a loss of trust in your brand. That being said, every gamer hates fake mobile game ads, but this hasn\u2019t diminished their efficiency. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Limited Long-Term Insights:<\/b> While CTR tests and fake door pages can gauge initial interest, they don\u2019t provide a full picture of long-term engagement or retention. A high click-through rate doesn\u2019t necessarily translate into a sustainable user base or repeat customers. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Risk of False Positives<\/b>: A high CTR might suggest strong interest, but it could be misleading if users are drawn in by the novelty rather than genuine intent to engage with your product. This could lead to investing in a concept that ultimately fails to gain traction. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"b\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" bgcolor=\"#030712\" style=\"padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color: #FFFFFF;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" bgcolor=\"#030712\" style=\"padding:12px\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"padding-left:1px;\"><\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"75\" style=\"width:75px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/buildmode.xyz\/?utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"ig\" border=\"0\" style=\"display:block;max-width:22px;color:light\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/instagram_light.png\"\/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"padding-left:1px;\"><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"10\" style=\"line-height:1px;font-size:1px;height:10px;\"> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"w\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:15px 15px 15px 15px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<p style=\"font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> Update your email preferences or unsubscribe <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/buildmode.xyz\/subscribe\/{{subscriber_id}}\/preferences?post_id=10fc5400-b136-4c87-b49c-8cdaff24de44&last_resource_guid=Post%3A10fc5400-b136-4c87-b49c-8cdaff24de44&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising&last_resource_guid=Post%3A10fc5400-b136-4c87-b49c-8cdaff24de44\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#FFFFFF!important;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\" style=\"font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> © 2026 BuildMode <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> 2093 Philadelphia Pike<br \/>Claymont, DE 19703, United States <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display: table-row !important;\">\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-top:20px;\" style=\"display:table-cell !important;\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\" style=\"display:table !important;\">\n<tr style=\"display:table-row !important;\">\n<td class=\"u\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" height=\"32\" style=\"height:32px;display:table-cell !important; 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{"id":150,"date":"2026-02-24T15:52:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T15:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buildmode.xyz\/?p=150"},"modified":"2026-02-24T15:52:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T15:52:42","slug":"the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buildmode.xyz\/uncategorized\/the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\/","title":{"rendered":"The Credibility Crisis in Digital Advertising"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/head><\/title><\/p>\n<style>\n :root { color-scheme: light; supported-color-schemes: light; }\n body { margin: 0; padding: 0; min-width: 100%!important; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -webkit-transform: scale(1) !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100% !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; }\n .body { word-wrap: normal; word-spacing:normal; }\n table.mso { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; table-layout: fixed; }\n img { border: 0; outline: none; }\n table { mso-table-lspace: 0px; mso-table-rspace: 0px; }\n td, a, span { mso-line-height-rule: exactly; }\n #root [x-apple-data-detectors=true],\n a[x-apple-data-detectors=true],\n #MessageViewBody a { color: inherit !important; text-decoration: inherit !important; font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; font-weight: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; }\n span.MsoHyperlink { color: inherit !important; mso-style-priority: 99 !important; }\n span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: inherit !important; mso-style-priority: 99 !important; }\n .a { background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n .b { background-color:#030712; }\n .c { background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n .d { background-color:#EAEBEC; }\n .d2 { background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n .d3 { background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n h1 a { text-decoration:underline;color:#0C4A6E !important;font-style:italic; }\n h2 a { text-decoration:underline;color:#0C4A6E !important;font-style:italic; }\n h3 a { text-decoration:underline;color:#0C4A6E !important;font-style:italic; }\n h4 a { text-decoration:underline;color:#0C4A6E !important;font-style:italic; }\n h5 a { text-decoration:underline;color:#0C4A6E !important;font-style:italic; }\n h6 a { text-decoration:underline;color:#0C4A6E !important;font-style:italic; }\n h1, h1 a, h2, h2 a, h3, h3 a, h4, h4 a, h5, h5 a, h6, h6 a, ul, li, ol, p, p a { margin: 0;padding: 0; }\n h1 { font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:28px;color:#2A2A2A;line-height:42px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-top:16px;mso-margin-top-alt:16px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:4px }\n h2 { font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:24px;color:#2A2A2A;line-height:36px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-top:16px;mso-margin-top-alt:16px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:4px }\n h3 { font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:20px;color:#2A2A2A;line-height:30px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-top:16px;mso-margin-top-alt:16px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:4px }\n h4 { font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:18px;color:#2A2A2A;line-height:27px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-top:16px;mso-margin-top-alt:16px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:4px }\n h5 { font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:16px;color:#2A2A2A;line-height:24px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-top:16px;mso-margin-top-alt:16px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:4px }\n h6 { font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:14px;color:#2A2A2A;line-height:21px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-top:16px;mso-margin-top-alt:16px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:4px }\n p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:400;color:#2D2D2D;font-size:16px;line-height:24px;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:12px;mso-margin-top-alt:12px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:12px; }\n p a, .e a, ul a, li a, .h a, .h2 a, .h3 a { word-break:break-word;color:#0C4A6E !important;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#0C4A6E;font-style:italic; }\n p a span, .e a span, ul a span, li a span { color: inherit }\n p .bold { font-weight:bold;color:#2D2D2D; }\n p span[style*=\"font-size\"] { line-height: 1.6; }\n .f p { font-size:12px;line-height:15px;color:#2D2D2D;padding:0; }\n .f p a { color:#2D2D2D !important; }\n .g p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:normal;margin:0; }\n .g p a { text-decoration: underline; }\n .i p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:23px;font-size:15px;color:#2D2D2D; }\n .i p a { color:#2D2D2D !important; }\n .i2 p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:23px;font-size:15px;color:#2D2D2D; }\n .i2 p a { color:#2D2D2D !important; }\n .i3 p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:43px;font-size:24px;color:#2D2D2D; }\n .i3 p a { color:#2D2D2D !important; }\n .h p a { color:#0C4A6E !important; }\n .h2 p a { color:#0C4A6E !important; }\n .h3 p a { color:#0C4A6E !important; }\n .f p a, .i p a, .i2 p a, .i3 p a, .h p a, .h2 p a, .h3 p a { text-decoration:underline; }\n .j { border-top:3px solid #030712; }\n .k p { padding-left:15px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:6px;mso-margin-top-alt:6px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:0px;mso-margin-left-alt:15px; }\n .o { background-color:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #F1F1F1;border-radius:5px; }\n .o p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;padding:0px;margin:0px; }\n .l p,\n .l p a, .l a { font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight: bold;color:#2D2D2D;padding-bottom:6px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:6px;text-decoration:none; }\n .m p,\n .m p a { font-size:13px;line-height:18px;font-weight:400;color:#2D2D2D;padding-bottom:6px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:6px;text-decoration:none; }\n .n p,\n .n p a { font-size:12px;line-height:17px;font-weight:400;color:#2D2D2D;padding-bottom:6px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:6px;text-decoration:none; }\n .p { background-color:#FFFFFF;max-width:520px;border:1px solid #E1E8ED;border:1px solid rgba(80, 80, 80, 0.3);border-radius:5px; }\n .q { font-size:16px;font-family:Helvetica,Roboto,Calibri,sans-serif !important;border:1px solid #e1e8ed;border:1px solid rgba(80, 80, 80, 0.3);border-radius:10px;background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n .q p { font-size:16px;font-family:system-ui,Helvetica,Roboto,Calibri,sans-serif !important;color:#222222;padding:4px 0; }\n .r { border:1px solid #E1E8ED !important;border-radius:5px; }\n .s p { font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; font-weight: 400; color: #697882; text-decoration: none; }\n .t p { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;font-weight:400;color:#000000;font-style:italic;padding:4px 0px 0px; }\n .v { border-radius:8px;border:solid 0px #030712;background-color:#030712;font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF; }\n .v a { text-decoration:none;display:block;color:#FFFFFF; }\n .w p { font-size:12px;line-height:15px;font-weight:400;color:#FFFFFF; }\n .w p a { text-decoration: underline !important;color:#FFFFFF !important; }\n ul { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin:0px 0px 0px 25px !important;padding:0px !important;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:24px;list-style-type:disc !important;font-size:16px; }\n ul ul { list-style-type:circle !important; }\n ul ul ul { list-style-type:square !important; }\n ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:disc !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:circle !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:square !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:disc !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:circle !important; }\n ul ul ul ul ul ul ul ul ul { list-style-type:square !important; }\n ul > li { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px !important; color: #2D2D2D; }\n ol { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px !important;padding:0px !important;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:24px;list-style:decimal;font-size:16px; }\n ol > li { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px !important; color: #2D2D2D; }\n .e h3,\n .e p,\n .e span { padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mso-margin-top-alt:0px;mso-margin-bottom-alt:0px; }\n .e span,\n .e li { font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:24px; }\n .rec { font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, \"Helvetica Neue\", Arial, \"Noto Sans\", sans-serif, \"Apple Color Emoji\", \"Segoe UI Emoji\", \"Segoe UI Symbol\", \"Noto Color Emoji\" !important; }\n .rec__button:hover { background-color: #f9fafb !important; }\n .copyright a {color: inherit !important; text-decoration: none !important; font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; font-weight: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important;}\n .txt_social p { padding: 0; word-break: break-all; }\n .table, .table-c, .table-h { border: 1px solid #C0C0C0; }\n .table-c { padding:5px; background-color:#FFFFFF; }\n .table-c p { color: #2D2D2D; font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif !important;overflow-wrap: break-word; }\n .table-h { padding:5px; background-color:#F1F1F1; }\n .table-h p { color: #2A2A2A; font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif !important;overflow-wrap: break-word; }\n @media only screen and (max-width:667px) {\n .aa, .w100pc { width: 100% !important; }\n .bb img { width: 100% !important; height: auto !important; max-width: none !important; }\n .cc { padding: 0px 8px !important; }\n .ee { padding-top:10px !important;padding-bottom:10px !important; }\n .ff ul, .ff ol { margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px !important;padding: 0px !important; }\n .ff li { margin:10px 0px 0px 10px !important; }\n .r {height:140px !important;}\n .s p { font-size:13px !important;line-height:15px !important; }\n .mob-hide {display:none !important;}\n .mob-show {display: block !important; width: auto !important; overflow: visible !important; float: none !important; max-height: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important;}\n .mob-stack {width:100% !important;display:block !important;}\n .mob-w-full {width:100% !important;}\n .mob-block {display:block !important;}\n .embed-img {padding:0px 0px 12px 0px !important;}\n .socialShare {padding-top:15px !important;}\n .rec { padding-left:15px!important;padding-right:15px!important; }\n .bodyWrapper { padding:10px 4px 10px 4px !important; }\n .social-mobile {float:left !important;margin-top:10px !important;}\n }\n @media screen and (max-width: 480px) {\n u + .a .gg { width: 100% !important; width: 100vw !important; }\n .tok-heart { padding-top:75% !important; }\n .tok-play { padding-top: 250px !important; }\n }\n @media screen and (max-width: 320px) {\n .tok-heart { padding-top:65% !important; }\n }\n .u { border: 1px solid #CACACA !important; border-radius: 2px !important; background-color: #ffffff !important; padding: 0px 13px 0px 13px !important; font-family:ui-sans-serif,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,\"Noto Sans\",sans-serif !important;font-size: 12px !important; color: #767676 !important; }\n .u a { text-decoration: none; display: block !important; color: #767676 !important; margin: 0px !important; }\n .u span, .u img { color: #767676 !important;margin:0px !important; max-height:32px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important; }\n<\/style>\n<p><\/p>\n<style><\/style>\n<p><\/head><body class=\"a\" style=\"margin:0px auto;padding:0px;word-wrap:normal;word-spacing:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;\"><\/p>\n<div role=\"article\" aria-roledescription=\"email\" aria-label=\"email_name\" lang=\"en\" style=\"font-size:1rem\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"gg\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"670\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"aa\" style=\"width:670px;table-layout:fixed;\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"bodyWrapper\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:10px 5px 10px 5px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;border-style: solid; border-color: #FFFFFF;border-radius:10px 10px 0px 0px;background-color:#FFFFFF;\" class=\"c\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr id=\"header\">\n<td style=\"padding:15px 15px 0px 15px;\">\n<div style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:0px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"f\" align=\"right\" valign=\"top\">\n<p> December 09, 2025 | <a data-read-online-tooltip=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/buildmode.xyz\/p\/the-credibility-crisis-in-digital?utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\">Read online<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:15px 0;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<h1 style=\"text-align:left;font-family:'Trebuchet MS','Lucida Grande',Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight:Bold;font-size:32px;color:#2A2A2A;padding:2px 0;line-height:38px;\"> The Credibility Crisis in Digital Advertising <\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;font-family:'Helvetica',Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;font-size:20px;color:#3E3E3E;padding:5px 0;line-height:24px;\"> We have all seen a fake mobile game ad before. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" class=\"dd\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"middle\" class=\"mob-stack\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\" class=\"social-mobile\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"middle\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" style=\"width:100%\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on facebook\" width=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/facebook.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"8\" style=\"width:8px;\"> <\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=We+have+all+seen+a+fake+mobile+game+ad+before.&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&via=tomasmarsal&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on twitter\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/x.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"8\" style=\"width:8px;\"> <\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/intent\/post?text=We+have+all+seen+a+fake+mobile+game+ad+before.+https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on threads\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/threads.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"8\" style=\"width:8px;\"> <\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuildmode.xyz%2Fp%2Fthe-credibility-crisis-in-digital&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none; display:block;\"><\/p>\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E5E7EB; border-radius: 100%; width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 8px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display:block; width:100%; height:100%; max-width:18px; max-height:18px; object-fit: contain;\" alt=\"share on linkedin\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/header\/linkedin.png\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"line-height:0;\">\n<div data-open-tracking=\"true\"> {{OPEN_TRACKING_PIXEL}} <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr id=\"content-blocks\">\n<td class=\"email-card-body\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-bottom:15px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> We have all seen a fake mobile game ad before. You know the type\u2014an ad that promises a certain gameplay experience, but it turns out to be completely different when you download the game. They are everywhere. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> I am not particularly interested in mobile gaming, but these ads have always piqued my curiosity. Every time I see one, I ask myself the same question: Why are some of the biggest mobile game developers investing in ads that have nothing to do with the game they are making? <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> At first glance, it seems like a waste of money, especially considering how much gamers dislike these fake ads. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-top:20px; \" class=\"dd\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"margin:0 auto 0 auto;\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width:630px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/uploads\/asset\/file\/4297c497-3b1b-4f0f-905f-3948df3812fe\/cb30ed0e-b857-4121-9a9f-d3519db3128f_1600x1600.jpg?t=1771948363\" alt=\"\" height=\"auto\" width=\"630\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;\" border=\"0\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> However, it turns out these deceptive ads are far from random. They\u2019re a core strategy in the hyper-casual gaming industry, and while we may find them annoying, they are surprisingly effective in ways that aren\u2019t immediately obvious. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Voodoo and Hyper-Casual Games<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Hyper-casual games are simple, addictive games that are easy to play and often free to download. Think of those games you can play while waiting in line or during a quick break. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> The business model behind these games isn\u2019t about long-term player engagement; instead, it\u2019s about volume\u2014churning out as many games as possible, getting users to download them, and monetizing them through ads. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> In this world, Cost Per Install (CPI) is king. Publishers like <b><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voodoo.io\/?utm_source=newsletter.failory.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ad-driven-validation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span>Voodoo<\/span><\/a><\/b>, one of the biggest players in the industry, thrive by keeping the CPI low, usually under 20 cents, to make their games profitable. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> But here\u2019s the twist\u2014before even developing a game, companies like Voodoo need to know if it\u2019s worth the investment. This is where <b>click-through rate (CTR) tests with fake ads <\/b>come into play. These tests are an ingenious method to gauge user interest before a single line of code is written. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>CTR Tests and Fake Ads<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> So, what exactly are CTR tests, and why are they so important? Simply put, a CTR test measures how many people click on an ad compared to how many people see it. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> For hyper-casual game developers, this metric is crucial. They create short, catchy video ads\u2014often depicting gameplay that doesn\u2019t actually exist\u2014and run them on platforms like Facebook. If the ad generates a high CTR, the developers know they have a concept worth pursuing. If not, they abandon the idea and move on to the next one. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Voodoo routinely create these fake ads to test various game concepts. The goal is to see what catches users\u2019 attention. It\u2019s a quick and cost-effective way to validate ideas. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Other companies like <b><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/gameanalytics.com\/blog\/early-testing-strategies-to-maximize-your-hyper-casual-games-potential\/?utm_source=newsletter.failory.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ad-driven-validation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span>Clap Clap Games follow a similar process<\/span><\/a><\/b>, creating multiple videos, running them as link-click campaigns, and only moving forward with game development if the CTR is promising. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-top:20px; \" class=\"dd\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"margin:0 auto 0 auto;\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width:630px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/uploads\/asset\/file\/3e21c875-aa34-4d25-8cb8-3e8bf0b6e143\/57a467fd-89c0-4780-b0ec-eea19b1a39fa_1177x683.jpg?t=1771948363\" alt=\"\" height=\"auto\" width=\"630\" style=\"display:block;width:100%;\" border=\"0\"\/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> The beauty of this approach lies in its efficiency; it allows developers to test numerous ideas with minimal effort and resources. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> In addition to this, these ads can also be an excellent way to obtain new users. Despite the potential backlash from users who feel tricked, these fake ads are surprisingly effective. While many users might uninstall the game once they realize it\u2019s not what they expected, a good portion will still stick around if it is enjoyable enough. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> This balancing act between user acquisition and retention is what makes or breaks a game in the hyper-casual space. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Beyond Gaming<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> While this strategy is commonplace in the mobile gaming industry, there\u2019s no reason why it can\u2019t be applied elsewhere. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> Imagine a startup looking to validate a new feature or product idea. Instead of building a full MVP, they could create a video or mockup of the feature and run a similar CTR test. The idea is to gauge interest before committing significant resources. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> A great example of this approach comes from Dropbox. Before developing their entire product, they released a video explaining what Dropbox would eventually become. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> While this video wasn\u2019t as deceptive as a fake mobile game ad, the underlying idea is the same: create a video for a product that doesn\u2019t exist yet to test its appeal. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;\"> A related strategy, often used in the startup world, is the <b><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.failory.com\/blog\/how-to-build-an-mvp?utm_source=newsletter.failory.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ad-driven-validation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span>Fake Door MVP<\/span><\/a><\/b>. A Fake Door MVP is a landing page for a product that hasn\u2019t been built yet. The page typically explains the product\u2019s features and includes a sign-up button for users to be notified when the product launches. The goal is similar to that of fake ads\u2014to estimate interest in an idea and determine whether it\u2019s worth the investment. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Should I?<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Why This Works<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:37px;padding-right:27px;padding-top:12px;\" class=\"ee\">\n<div style=\"margin-left:0px;\" class=\"edm_outlooklist\">\n<ul style=\"font-weight:normal;list-style-type:disc;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-top:12px !important;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\">\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Low-Cost Validation:<\/b> The strategy allows businesses to validate ideas or concepts with minimal upfront investment. By testing market interest before fully committing to development, companies can avoid costly mistakes and focus resources on ideas with proven potential. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Data-Driven Decision Making:<\/b> The strategy relies on measurable data (e.g., CTR, sign-ups, pre-sales) to guide decisions, making the process more objective and less reliant on gut feelings. This data-driven approach increases the likelihood of success. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Flexibility in Iteration:<\/b> Since the strategy involves testing before development, it offers the flexibility to iterate on ideas quickly. If one concept doesn\u2019t work, it\u2019s easy to move on to another without significant losses. Voodoo usually runs several fake ad campaigns at once, showing a different game concept in each ad. This allows them to quickly test and validate many different ideas and know which one to choose. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>How to Apply It<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:37px;padding-right:27px;padding-top:12px;\" class=\"ee\">\n<div style=\"margin-left:0px;\" class=\"edm_outlooklist\">\n<ul style=\"font-weight:normal;list-style-type:disc;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-top:12px !important;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\">\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Create a <b>simple mockup or video<\/b> of your product or new feature. These don\u2019t have to be polished; the goal is to convey the core concept and test whether it resonates with your audience. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Run <b>CTR tests on social media<\/b>. Voodoo and other gaming companies use Meta almost exclusively for this. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Analyze the data and iterate. Monitor the click-through rate to see if there is interest. Running multiple campaigns simultaneously is helpful as it allows you to compare the CTR between different ideas. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> Create a <b>\u201cFake Door\u201d landing page<\/b> for your new product. If you are running fake ads, you can link them back to this fake door. Include CTAs on the page to measure how many people sign up. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"> You can take it a step further by attempting to <b>pre-sell your product<\/b>. This is the ultimate validation that your idea has strong potential. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"dd\" align=\"left\" valign=\"top\" style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;padding:0px 15px;text-align:left;\">\n<h4 style=\"color:#2A2A2A;font-weight:normal;mso-line-height-alt:112.5%;\"><b>Yes, But<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:37px;padding-right:27px;padding-top:12px;\" class=\"ee\">\n<div style=\"margin-left:0px;\" class=\"edm_outlooklist\">\n<ul style=\"font-weight:normal;list-style-type:disc;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-top:12px !important;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\">\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Potential Backlash<\/b>: Users may feel deceived by fake ads, especially if they realize the advertised product doesn\u2019t exist yet or differs significantly from the final version. This could lead to negative feedback, poor reviews, and a loss of trust in your brand. That being said, every gamer hates fake mobile game ads, but this hasn\u2019t diminished their efficiency. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Limited Long-Term Insights:<\/b> While CTR tests and fake door pages can gauge initial interest, they don\u2019t provide a full picture of long-term engagement or retention. A high click-through rate doesn\u2019t necessarily translate into a sustainable user base or repeat customers. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"listItem ultext\">\n<p style=\"mso-line-height-alt:150.0%;padding:0px;text-align:left;word-break:break-word;\"><b>Risk of False Positives<\/b>: A high CTR might suggest strong interest, but it could be misleading if users are drawn in by the novelty rather than genuine intent to engage with your product. This could lead to investing in a concept that ultimately fails to gain traction. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"b\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" bgcolor=\"#030712\" style=\"padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color: #FFFFFF;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" bgcolor=\"#030712\" style=\"padding:12px\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"padding-left:1px;\"><\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"75\" style=\"width:75px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/buildmode.xyz\/?utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising\" style=\"text-decoration:none;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"ig\" border=\"0\" style=\"display:block;max-width:22px;color:light\" src=\"https:\/\/media.beehiiv.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80\/static_assets\/instagram_light.png\"\/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"padding-left:1px;\"><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"10\" style=\"line-height:1px;font-size:1px;height:10px;\"> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"w\" align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding:15px 15px 15px 15px;\">\n<table role=\"none\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\">\n<p style=\"font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> Update your email preferences or unsubscribe <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/buildmode.xyz\/subscribe\/{{subscriber_id}}\/preferences?post_id=10fc5400-b136-4c87-b49c-8cdaff24de44&last_resource_guid=Post%3A10fc5400-b136-4c87-b49c-8cdaff24de44&utm_source=buildmode.xyz&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-credibility-crisis-in-digital-advertising&last_resource_guid=Post%3A10fc5400-b136-4c87-b49c-8cdaff24de44\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#FFFFFF!important;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\" style=\"font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> © 2026 BuildMode <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family:'Verdana',Geneva,sans-serif;color:#FFFFFF!important;\"> 2093 Philadelphia Pike<br \/>Claymont, DE 19703, United States <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display: table-row !important;\">\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding-top:20px;\" style=\"display:table-cell !important;\">\n<table role=\"none\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\" style=\"display:table !important;\">\n<tr style=\"display:table-row !important;\">\n<td class=\"u\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" height=\"32\" style=\"height:32px;display:table-cell !important; 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