7 Ways to Turn Your Marketing Into Fake News (And What to Do Instead)

Consumers today are savvier than ever. They fact-check claims, read reviews, and can smell marketing B.S. from a mile away. But what if you want to tank your credibility? What if you enjoy customer churn, bad press, and one-star reviews?

Well, you’re in luck!

Here are six surefire ways to make your marketing as untrustworthy as fake news—followed by what you should do if you actually want to build customer trust and loyalty.

1. Promise the Moon, Deliver a Rock

Nothing grabs attention like an outrageous claim. “Lose 50 pounds overnight!” “Our software runs itself while making you coffee!” “Get rich with no effort at all!” Who cares if it’s true?

Why This Fails: Consumers have been burned too many times to fall for it. If your product doesn’t live up to the hype, they won’t just walk away—they’ll tell everyone they know about the scammy experience.

What to Do Instead: Under-promise, over-deliver. Set realistic expectations and then exceed them. Customers love pleasant surprises—but they hate feeling duped.

2. The “Guaranteed #1” Trick

SEO agencies love this one: “We’ll rank you #1 on Google!” Sounds great, right? Except… Google’s algorithm is secret, constantly changing, and no one (not even Google Ads reps) can guarantee a #1 spot.

Why This Fails: Guarantees that can’t be backed up lead to disappointed clients and a reputation for dishonesty. Plus, Google penalizes shady SEO tactics—so that "guaranteed #1" ranking could actually hurt your business in the long run.

What to Do Instead: Be honest about what’s achievable. A good SEO strategy improves rankings over time with quality content, site optimization, and ethical backlinking. Long-term trust beats short-term gimmicks.

3. The Ol’ Bait-and-Switch

Advertise one thing, sell another. Get customers in the door with a great deal, then reveal the fine print: “Oh, you wanted the ACTUAL deal? That’s an extra $50.”

Why This Fails: Customers hate feeling tricked. They might fall for it once, but they won’t come back—and they’ll probably leave a scathing review warning others.

What to Do Instead: Be upfront about pricing, terms, and what customers will actually get. Transparency isn’t just ethical—it also reduces complaints, refunds, and bad press.

4. Make Your Brand a Mystery

Who needs a clear brand identity? Be everything to everyone! Change your messaging constantly so customers never know what to expect. Confusion = intrigue, right?

Why This Fails: A confusing brand confuses customers. If they can’t quickly tell what you do or what you stand for, they’ll move on to a brand that’s clearer.

What to Do Instead: Nail down a consistent brand voice and message. Whether you’re playful, professional, or quirky, make sure every ad, post, and email reinforces your identity.

5. Ignore the Haters (a.k.a. Your Customers)

Bad reviews? Complaints? Just ignore them! Or better yet, blame the customer: “Sorry, but you just don’t understand our product.”

Why This Fails: Customers expect brands to listen and improve. If you ignore criticism, they’ll assume you don’t care—and they’ll take their business elsewhere.

What to Do Instead: Embrace feedback. A well-handled complaint can turn an angry customer into a loyal fan. Respond professionally, address concerns, and use feedback to improve.

6. Use Buzzwords Until They Lose All Meaning

“We leverage AI-driven, next-gen, scalable innovation to disrupt the industry with synergy.” Wow! So impressive! …Wait, what does that even mean?

Why This Fails: If your audience can’t understand your message, they won’t engage with it. Jargon might sound smart, but it often creates distance instead of connection.

What to Do Instead: Speak like a human. Clarity builds trust, and customers respond better to messages they actually understand.

7. Chase Trends Like a Confused Squirrel

Ooh, AI! No, wait—NFTs! No, hold on—metaverse! Just hop onto whatever’s trending, even if it has nothing to do with your business.

Why This Fails: Jumping on trends without strategy makes your brand look out of touch—or worse, desperate. Customers see through it when companies force trends into their marketing just to stay relevant.

What to Do Instead: Stay relevant, but only adopt trends that align with your brand and audience. Trend-chasing for the sake of it dilutes your credibility.

The Truth Always Wins

Fake news marketing might get attention in the short term, but it destroys trust in the long run. Brands that are clear, honest, and customer-focused don’t just survive—they thrive.

So unless you want to be the next marketing cautionary tale, stick to the truth. It’s not as flashy as fake news, but it works every time.