> there is plenty of science making clear that it does

Funded, ran, and interpreted by whom?

I can't remember the last time I bought anything just because of its ad, that I already did not know about or was going to buy anyway, nor I know anyone who did.

In fact, if I see an ad TOO often, it permanently turns me off the product or service.

The whole ads racket seems like a case of an emperor with no clothes at best, and a thin veil for mass surveillance at worst.