Social Media Ad Strategies Evolve: Tech Brands Use Humor, AI, and Personality to Engage Users

Tech brands are changing how they advertise on social media, using tactics like brand anthropomorphism, engagement farming, memes, and Generative AI to capture attention and boost user interaction.
How Tech Brands Are Redefining Social Media Advertising in 2025

One recent example involved Amazon Prime Video India. In mid-October, writer Savannah Monroe shared a photo of her engagement ring on X (formerly Twitter). Instead of receiving congratulations, her post was retweeting a humorous screengrab from the show The Summer I Turned Pretty, where a character proposes with a comically small ring. The retweet went viral, sparking a flood of mocking comments toward Ms. Monroe. Amazon later apologized and removed the tweet, acknowledging that the joke had unintentionally caused harassment.

This incident highlights both the potential and the risks of using humor and pop culture references in marketing campaigns.

New Tactics in Tech Advertising

Experts say tech brands are increasingly experimenting with:

·         Brand anthropomorphism: Giving companies a human-like persona to create relatability and personality online.

·         Engagement farming: Crafting posts designed to go viral and encourage users to comment, share, or interact.

·         Memes and pop culture references: Leveraging humor to connect with younger audiences who spend hours scrolling social platforms.

·         Generative AI content: Using AI to create dynamic, personalized, or even interactive ads at scale.

These tactics are designed not just to promote products but to embed brands into online culture, making them a part of everyday conversations and trends.

The Fine Line Between Virality and Backlash

While humor and memes can amplify brand visibility, missteps can backfire quickly, as the Amazon incident shows. Social media users are highly sensitive to content that targets individuals or appears to mock real people, forcing brands to carefully balance creativity with responsibility.

Digital marketing consultant Riya Kapoor explains:

“Brands are no longer just selling products—they’re selling experiences, identities, and emotional connections. But this requires a nuanced understanding of social media culture, where every post can go viral in minutes.”

Looking Ahead

As social media platforms evolve and AI tools become more advanced, tech brands are likely to continue pushing the boundaries of creative marketing. Companies will need to combine innovation with ethical responsibility to avoid reputational risks while maximizing engagement.

The rise of memes, AI, and anthropomorphized branding signals a new era of advertising, where the goal is as much about cultural relevance and shareability as it is about sales.