Marketing experts use color psychology for more effective advertising. By choosing
particular colors advertisers can enhance their message, entice consumers to spend, and attract
more customers. Images are more effective than words alone for marketing.
The psychology of color is the science of how colors can influence moods, emotions, and
behavior. Consumers often make buying decisions based on their emotions. Color psychology
affects individuals differently depending on their demographics and age.
One common color used in advertising is red. Brands use this color to convey the
following attributes: courage, boldness, action, and passion. Red has cultural significance in
Chinese color, symbolizing luck, joy, and love. Netflix, YouTube, and TIME magazine all display
red in their branding. Seeing red has been shown to increase blood flow and make people feel
hungry which is why many restaurants use this color too: KFC, McDonalds, and Coke. According
to color psychology red is linked to courage and passion.
Pink is used in advertising, often to attract female customers due to its association with
femininity. Pink sets a tone of gentleness, love, immaturity, and affection. Victoria’s Secret and
Barbie rely heavily on this color in their marketing. Though pink is commonly used to
communicate to female audiences, other brands use pink as well: Lyft, Dunkin Donuts, and
Instagram. For these brands, the main messages are softness and sensitivity.