Hotjar | Find Out What People REALLY Think of Your Website

Hotjar’s ad brings a candid, behind-the-scenes look at website optimization by showcasing the shocking, hilarious, and unexpected feedback users might have when interacting with your site. The ad’s humor highlights how crucial it is to understand real user behavior and why Hotjar is the tool you need to gather insights.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

Humorous User Reactions = Instant Engagement – The ad opens with exaggerated, over-the-top user feedback to draw attention. By using humor to show the unexpected responses users can have, it piques curiosity about how Hotjar can reveal such insights.
→ Lesson: Engage the audience by showing them the unpredictable and often funny side of real-world feedback.

Contrast = Clear Product Value – By juxtaposing the random, sometimes absurd feedback with the controlled insights Hotjar provides, the ad effectively shows the value of understanding what real users think in a more structured and actionable way.
→ Lesson: Contrast real-world chaos with the order and clarity your product brings to make its value undeniable.

Exaggeration = Memorable Messaging – The humor here is built on exaggerating user feedback to make the point that not knowing what users really think can lead to ridiculous situations. Hotjar solves this by providing clear, actionable insights.
→ Lesson: Exaggerate the problem to make the solution stand out in a fun and memorable way.

Simple, Straightforward Humor = Effective Communication – The humor is easy to digest and plays off relatable frustrations that web developers and marketers face, making it approachable for a broad audience.
→ Lesson: Simple humor can be just as effective as complex jokes, especially when the goal is clear communication.

Humor Breakdown:

The humor in this ad comes from the absurdity of the user feedback—feedback that is so offbeat and unexpected that it’s funny. This technique effectively highlights the importance of understanding your audience’s true reactions, and how Hotjar can provide the insights needed to make informed decisions. The comedy keeps the ad light-hearted, while subtly showing the audience why they need Hotjar to improve their website experience.

Final Verdict:

Hotjar’s ad is an entertaining take on a critical topic: understanding user behavior. The exaggerated humor and relatable frustration about bad user feedback make the ad both engaging and insightful. It positions Hotjar as the solution to finding out what people really think, helping businesses make better, more informed decisions.

Brave-o-meter score: 

B-9 | R-8 | A-9 | V-8 | E-8

BRAVE – 8.4/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: Hotjar
LinkedIn: Hotjar LinkedIn Page

(See what BRAVE means in our collection)

Understanding the B.R.A.V.E. Scoring System

The B.R.A.V.E. scoring system uses AI to deliver an unbiased evaluation of top-of-the-funnel B2B brand ads. It measures potential impact, memorability, and effectiveness by assessing five key components of a video ad or commercial. This system gauges an ad's capacity to drive brand recall and enhance salience, ensuring that creative work not only captures attention but also leaves a lasting impression.

What B.R.A.V.E. Stands For:

Each letter represents a key factor in determining an ad’s success:

  • B — Boldness: Is the ad original, creative, or daring? Does it break away from generic B2B marketing, or is it just another forgettable corporate video?
  • R — Relevance: Does it connect with a real buyer pain point? Is it addressing a specific frustration or need, or just listing product features?
  • A — Attention: Does it grab and hold attention in the first few seconds? Is it visually or tonally engaging, or easy to skip?
  • V — Vibe: Does it create an emotional response—laughter, recognition, or surprise? Or does it feel like just another corporate info dump?
  • E — Effectiveness: Will buyers remember the brand when they need a solution? Does the ad make an impact that lasts beyond the moment?

How It’s Applied to B2B Video Rating

Each video is scored 1 to 10 in all five categories, based on how well it meets the criteria. The total score (out of 50) is then divided by 5 to give a final B.R.A.V.E. score out of 10.

For example:

  • An ad scoring B-8 | R-9 | A-7 | V-6 | E-8 has a total of 38/50.
  • The final B.R.A.V.E. score is 7.6/10.

Why It Matters

B2B ads often struggle with being bland, forgettable, or ineffective. The B.R.A.V.E. system ensures they are judged by their ability to break through, connect with buyers, and drive action.

Simply put: If your ad isn’t B.R.A.V.E., it’s invisible.

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