In today’s digital world, social media isn’t just about staying in touch—it’s increasingly about being sold to. This paper looks into how users really feel about the rise of advertising across platforms like Instagram, YouTube. We surveyed 1,200 users and spoke with 50 individuals in depth to get a clear picture of how ads are shaping their habits, attention, and trust. The results paint a mixed picture: while some ads catch attention and feel useful, many users find the constant barrage tiring and invasive. This paper explores these experiences, offering practical suggestions for how advertisers and platforms can strike a better balance between profit and user satisfaction.