Indeed, advertisers would layoff or displace their marketing teams, as the role would have no value to the company if advertising was outlawed (meanwhile, technical writers would be just fine). I'm not disputing that. I'm disputing the framing you put forth that equates advertising with technical writing.

> Product documentation is also available to prospective customers so they can review it to decide whether they want to purchase the product.

I agree with this statement, but it is irrelevant. The primary purpose of documentation is what I said: for understanding how to operate the product. The only purpose of advertising is to make a sale. Advertising has no secondary purpose. These are not the same thing.

The test is quite simple: Is the sole purpose of the payment to make a sale? If so, it is advertising.

We don't really need to discuss documents any longer. Documentation is not an advertisement.