> but they perform important economy function: connect buyers and sellers..

Do they? I've never once clicked on an ad and made a purchase, and I'm a fairly regular consumer. If I have a need for a product, I'll search for it.

All advertising does is create a false desire to own a product by psychologically manipulating the viewer. It is dishonest by definition.

In order to make a purchase, I first have to have a need for a product. This should arise naturally, not via some artifically produced desire. Then I'd like to read the true specifications of all suitable products that I can find, and read hopefully real and honest reviews by people who've purchased them. After that, I will narrow down my search and will only make a purchase if I think a specific product will fulfill my needs.

Advertising directly interferes with this concept, steps in as a middle man between buyer and seller, and introduces all kinds of psychological tricks to manipulate me to not even make the purchase--I just need to click on an ad, and I make the advertiser money. It is unnecessary at best, and outright harmful at worst.

It feels like it's a race to the bottom where if it didn't exist everyone would be better off, but once it does exist everyone has to compete.

Without ads we wouldn't pick products blindly we'd simply have more product-comparison sites.