Subjective variability of the “just-right feeling”: Effectiveness of social media advertising design

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of AI and algorithmic technologies, social media platforms have gained the ability to identify consumer personality traits. However, developing compelling advertising strategies for individuals with different self-construals remains challenging. Based on construal level theory, this research investigates the interactions between shot scale, advertising appeals, and self-construal on social media. The results of the four empirical studies indicated that independent individuals prefer advertisements with long-shot images and desirability appeals. In contrast, interdependent individuals favor advertisements with close-up images and feasibility appeals. Furthermore, the findings reveal that long-shot images match with desirability appeals or close-up images paired with feasibility appeals significantly increase the click-through rate and foster more positive advertising attitudes. The above findings are central to the feeling right during information processing, which plays a crucial role in advertising acceptance. Therefore, this research constructs a new framework for personalized advertisement design in social media and offers a practical guide for businesses seeking to optimize their advertising strategies.