Someone made you buy it.
Welcome to Marketing Crime Scene, where we investigate the marketing psychology behind the strategies that influence everyday consumer decisions.
Marketing is everywhere. It appears in your social feed, on store shelves, in your inbox, and in the way products are priced and presented. Sometimes the tactic is obvious. Other times, it works quietly in the background. But what makes these tactics effective?
🔎 FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Every case starts with a question: Why did this tactic work?
We examine the strategy, identify the psychological principle behind it, and look at how it can influence the way consumers think, feel, and behave. Understanding marketing psychology can make familiar marketing techniques easier to recognize in everyday life.
Our investigations are designed for students, marketers, and curious shoppers who want to look beyond the advertisement and understand what is happening underneath it. For additional information about consumer behavior, explore the American Marketing Association’s consumer behavior resources.
🚨 CASE FILES
CASE #001 — The $9.99 Incident
Why does $9.99 feel different from $10? Investigate the psychology behind psychological pricing.
CASE #002 — The Fake Urgency
“Only 2 left!” “Sale ends tonight!” Explore how scarcity and urgency can encourage consumers to act quickly.
CASE #003 — The Five-Star Witness
Thousands of reviews. A 4.8-star rating. Discover how social proof can influence decisions when consumers aren’t sure what to choose.
🧠 KNOW THE TACTIC
Marketing doesn’t always ask you to make a decision directly. Sometimes it changes the way you see the decision.
Marketing Crime Scene doesn’t tell you what to buy. Instead, we expose the tactic, explain the psychology, and give you the evidence so you can recognize it for yourself.
Ready to investigate?