What does advertising primarily aim to do?

Advertising primarily aims to attract attention to a product or service. This is fundamental to its purpose; by drawing in potential consumers, advertising seeks to increase awareness of a product's existence and features. It effectively serves as the first step in the marketing process, encouraging individuals to consider the product or service being offered, which can then lead to further actions such as exploration or purchase.

While other aspects may be important—such as creating brand loyalty or educating consumers—the immediate goal of any advertisement is to capture the audience's interest. Without attracting attention, no further engagement or business transactions can occur. Gathering consumer feedback is more of a post-purchase or post-interaction activity that helps improve future advertising efforts or product offerings, rather than a primary aim of advertising itself.