How much influence does advertising have when people are buying things?

I'd say advertising has quite a strong influence, especially with how targeted it's become these days. The main reason is that ads often introduce us to products we didn't even know we needed. For example, as a UI designer in Shanghai, I frequently see ads for design tools pop up while I'm scrolling through short videos - and sometimes I end up trying them out. That said, I think people are becoming more aware of marketing tactics, so we don't just blindly follow ads anymore. We'll check reviews or ask friends before actually buying something.