Is AIDA Marketing Still Relevant in 2026?
Short answer: Heck yeah.
Long answer: Keep reading.
You’re on page 3 of Google while newer competitors are showing up first-even though you do better work. Your website gets traffic, but the phone isn’t ringing. You’re buried on page 3 of Google when someone searches for exactly what you offer.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: most service businesses lose leads not because they’re bad at what they do, but because their marketing doesn’t follow a proven conversion framework. They’re winging it, throwing up a website, posting on social media, maybe running some ads-and hoping something sticks.
But there’s a better way. And it’s been around since 1898.
It’s called the AIDA marketing model: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. It’s the same framework pier pitchmen used to sell you anything from non-stick pans to genuine solutions. It’s the blueprint behind every high-converting homepage, every viral video, every email that gets opened and clicked.
And if you learn how to use it, you’ll stop guessing and start building.
By the end of this, you’ll know a time-tested structure for your website, content, and marketing around AIDA – and why it still works in a world of algorithms, AI slop, and endless digital noise.
Let’s go.
What Is AIDA Marketing? (And Why It Still Works)
AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. It’s a four-stage framework that maps how people go from “Who are you?” to “Take my money.”
The model was created by Elias St. Elmo Lewis back in 1898. Lewis was a pioneer in advertising psychology, and he figured out that successful sales follow a predictable pattern. First, you grab someone’s attention. Then you build their interest. Next, you create desire. Finally, you get them to take action.
Over a century later, nothing’s changed. Human psychology is still human psychology.
Google’s algorithm has evolved. Social media platforms have come and gone. AI tools can write your copy now. But people still make decisions the same way: they notice something, get curious, want it, and then (hopefully) buy it.
That’s why AIDA isn’t just relevant in 2026 – it’s usable.
The AIDA marketing model is the foundation of every high-converting funnel, homepage, video, ad, and email. If you’re not using it, you’re making your marketing harder than it needs to be.
From Pier Pitchmen to Digital Funnels: The Evolution of Persuasion
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Back in 2022, I was deep into a project that didn’t make it – a cannabis web agency that was bigger than I was ready to manage. But I learned what I needed to, and one of those lessons came from reading Edward Bernays’ Crystallizing Public Opinion.
Bernays wasn’t just a PR guy. He was the nephew of Sigmund Freud and basically invented modern propaganda (he preferred “public relations,” but same thing). In his book, he breaks down how public opinion has been shaped and influenced across different eras-and the systems of communication that powered each one. Wild stuff, so I wanted to share.
Here’s the breakdown, era by era:
The 9 Eras of Public Opinion (According to Bernays)
- Tribal Era
Communication: Stories, elders, shamans, reactions
The OGs of persuasion. If the shaman said it, it was law. - Classical Civic Rhetoric
Communication: Books, prayer, reactions, rhetoric
Philosophers and orators ruled. Persuasion = logic + emotion. - Feudal & Mythic
Communication: Story, song, scribes, banking, reactions, professions
Storytellers and scribes controlled the narrative. Myths = currency. - Religious & Wealthy Aristocratic Class
Communication: Masters/slave narrative, pulpits, clergy, financiers, careers, barons
Power concentrated in the church and the rich. They told you what to believe. - Industrial Capital & Press Public Relations
Communication: Newspapers, pamphlets, barons, celebrities, Associated Press
The era I grew up in. If it was in the paper, it was real. - Corporate PR Industrial Era
Communication: Corporate storytelling, publicists, communications directors, gatekeepers, charm & deception, consumer associations
Corporations became the storytellers. PR firms spun everything. - Digital Algorithmic Influence Era
Communication: Influencers, algorithms, attention architecture, virality, data loops, culture tanks, think tanks, rumors, publicists, photos/videos, conventions, conferences, fairs, teachers, fundraisers, content, pamphlets
The era we just lived through. Everyone had a platform. Algorithms decided what you saw. - Discernment & Relational Sovereignty Era (NOW)
Communication: People gathering around shared truths (not just shared interests), debates, documentaries, news
We’re shifting here right now. People are curating their own truth streams. Podcasts, YouTube channels, and niche communities are thriving. You choose your sources. - Cognitive Sensitivity Era (FORECASTED by 2030+)
Communication: Emotional ecosystems, managing panic, belief at scale, podcasts/YouTube/streaming deepening, online communities, AI apps in mindfulness/Buddhism
I’m already seeing glimpses of this. The “online community craze” isn’t going away-it’s just getting started.
Here’s the pattern: Whether it was a shaman telling stories around a fire or an algorithm feeding you TikToks, the goal has always been the same-grab attention, build interest & trust, create desire, trigger action. Sounds a lot like dating if you ask me.
That’s AIDA.
The output-channel changes. The message changes. But the framework? It’s built on the human condition.
I’ve lived through the shift from crowding around TVs at home to watching YouTube videos alone, drowning in information. And now we’re supposedly in the “relational sovereignty” era – where everyone’s piecing together their own version of reality from podcasts, documentaries, and niche creators they trust.
But here’s the thing: there’s so much noise now that if you don’t have a framework, it can feel immensely overwhelming.
That’s why I keep coming back to AIDA for content. It’s the recipe that’s been tested a thousand times. Without it, you’re just throwing ingredients together and hoping it tastes good. I’m a big fan of experimenting – but i’m a bigger fan of rinse and repeatable actions that get results. Especially when I can iterate on those actions and make them better over time.
How the AIDA Formula Actually Works (Attention → Interest → Desire → Action)
Let’s break it down stage by stage.
Attention
This is the hook. The headline. The first 3 seconds of your video. The hero section of your homepage.
If you don’t grab attention, nothing else matters.
Think about it: when you scroll Instagram and stop at a reel, that’s Attention. When you click on a headline or pause on an ad, that’s Attention.
Examples:
- A bold headline on your homepage: “Bay Area Roof Repair That Actually Fixes the Leak-Without the Wait”
- A hook in a video: “Here’s why your content isn’t getting conversions – and how to fix it in 48 hours.”
- An ad that calls out a specific pain point: “Tired of knowing your backyard, could be your getaway?”
The rule: Be clear, be specific, and speak directly to your ideal customer’s problem. You’ve got 3 seconds. The median attention span is around 7 seconds.
Interest
Now they’re paying attention. Your job is to keep them engaged.
This is where you build curiosity and show them you understand their problem. You’re not selling yet – you’re educating, storytelling, or demonstrating value.
Examples:
- On your homepage, this is your subheadline and the first section after the hero: “Licensed & local. Same-day quotes. Work backed by a 10-year warranty. Emergency Services Available”
- In a video, this is the body: “Here’s what’s actually happening when your backyard floods…” or “This is how we put together this ADU in detail”.
- In an email, this is the context, the body of the email.
The rule: Focus on benefits, not features. Don’t just say what you do – explain why it matters to them.
Desire
Attention and Interest are relatively easy to get. But Desire? That requires proof, emotion, and authority.
Desire is when someone goes from “That’s interesting” to “I need this.”
How to build Desire:
- Social proof: Testimonials, reviews, case studies
- Authority signals: Years in business, certifications, local signals
- Emotional connection: Before/after transformations, relatable pain points
- Overcoming objections: FAQs that pre-frame doubts
Action
This is the finish line. You’ve got their attention, you’ve built interest, you’ve created desire. Now you need to make it brain-dead simple for them to take the next step.
Strong CTAs that work:
- “Book Your Free Inspection”
- “Get My Estimate Today”
- “Schedule a Strategy Call”
Reducing friction:
- Simple contact forms (3-5 fields max)
- Click-to-call buttons for mobile
- Multiple conversion paths (phone, form, chat)
The rule: Make the action obvious, easy, and low-risk. If they have to think about what to do next, you’ve probably lost them.
The Secret Sauce: Why Desire Is Where Most Businesses Drop the Ball
Let’s talk about why so many service businesses get Attention and Interest right but completely fumble Desire.
Here’s the mistake: they jump straight from Interest to Action. They grab your attention with a flashy headline, explain what they do, and then slap a “Contact Us” button at the bottom.
But there’s no proof. No emotional connection. No reason to believe them over the next guy.
Desire is where trust is built.
It’s where you show them:
- Other people like them got results
- You’ve been doing this long enough to know what you’re doing
- You understand their pain and have the solution
Here’s how we build Desire for our clients:
Case Study: North Dakota Electrician
This client was invisible on Google Maps and didn’t even have a website. We built them a simple, AIDA-structured homepage and optimized their GBP and SEO. Within 2 months, they hit #1 in the state for “golf simulator installation bismark.” He’s now getting a new stream of calls from this asset online.
The pattern: Attention gets them to stop. Interest keeps them reading. But Desire-backed by proof-is what gets them to pick up the phone.
And here’s the kicker: Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) aligns perfectly with the Desire stage.
Google wants to see that you’re legit. So do your customers. Desire is where you prove it.
Getting Them to Actually Do Something: The Action Stage That Converts
Alright, they trust you. They want what you’re offering. Now what?
Don’t make the next step too complicated, too confusing, or too buried.
The psychology of Action is simple: Reduce friction, create urgency, and make the next step obvious.
Strong CTAs that work:
- Action-oriented language: “Get Your Free Quote” beats “Submit” every time
- Placement: For websites: above the fold, after key sections, and at the end of the page
- Design: Contrasting colors, whitespace, mobile-friendly buttons
Reducing friction:
- Keep your contact form to 3-5 fields max. Name, email, phone, maybe a dropdown for service type. That’s it.
- Add a click-to-call button for mobile users. Most people searching for local services are on their phones.
- Offer multiple conversion paths: phone, form, chat, or even a calendar embed like Calendly if you’re booking consultations.
Here’s my take: You’re not just building a website. You’re building a funnel. And a funnel’s job is to move people from any channel – GMB, social media, email, ads – back to your main point of sale: your site.
If your site isn’t set up to convert, you’re wasting traffic.
Example: One of our SF clients was redesigning their site and getting their product pages dialed in. Even before the full redesign launched, they were already ranking #1 in their half-mile radius and top 3 in Oakland and San Mateo. Why? One reason is because we used social signals throughout Google, and the AIDA framework.
Attention (clear headlines), Interest (benefits over features), Desire (reviews and proof), Action (simple contact options). Rinse and repeat.
How to Use AIDA Marketing Across Your Entire Digital Presence
Here’s where AIDA gets really powerful: it’s not just for your homepage. It’s a framework you can use across every channel, any piece of content, and every customer touchpoint.
Website Structure: Your Homepage & Service Pages
Your homepage should follow AIDA from top to bottom. Here’s the anatomy:
- Hero Section (Attention)
Headline that calls out what you do and who it’s for. Subheadline that highlights the pain you solve. Primary CTA button.
Example: “Bay Area Roof Repair That Actually Fixes the Leak-Without the Wait. Licensed & Local. Same-Day Quotes. Book Your Free Inspection.” - Buzz Bar / Social Proof (Interest)
Logo bar with certifications, partner brands, or tools. Embed your best Google reviews. Even one high-quality trust signal keeps the scroll alive. - Benefits Section (Interest + Desire)
Three key outcomes you deliver. Not tasks-transformations.
Example: “No more chasing contractors-we show up when we say we will.” - Reviews That Tell a Story (Desire)
2-3 reviews that show a full transformation. Not just “Great service!” but “We were frustrated by X. They solved it with Y.” - FAQ Section (Desire)
Pre-frame their doubts. “How much does this cost?” “What’s the turnaround time?” Answer with confidence. - Contact Form (Action)
Simple, fast, no guesswork. Ask for just what you need: name, email, timeline, maybe a dropdown for service.
Service pages follow a similar structure. Each page should grab attention with a clear headline, build interest with benefits, create desire with proof, and drive action with a clear CTA.
Videos and Social Content: Hooks, Body, CTA
AIDA works perfectly for video and social media content.
- Hook (Attention): First 3 seconds. Call out the pain or tease the payoff.
Example: “Here’s why your website isn’t getting calls-and how to fix it in 48 hours.” - Body (Interest + Desire): Deliver value. Explain the problem, show the solution, or tell a story.
- CTA (Action): Tell them exactly what to do next. “Link in bio.” “Book a call.” “Drop a comment if this helped.”
This is the AIDA model in action-whether it’s a 60-second reel or a 10-minute YouTube video.
Email Marketing: Subject Line → Body → CTA
- Subject line (Attention): Make them want to open it.
- Body (Interest + Desire): Give them value and build trust.
- CTA (Action): One clear next step.
Local SEO & Google Business Profile
Here’s what’s working in 2026: reviews = lift.
Google is doubling down on Google Business Profiles this year because ChatGPT can’t compete with all the personal user data on businesses worldwide. Google’s going to keep pressing the massive levers they have, and we – the users – get to see some big wins in the meantime.
What to do:
- Gather massive amounts of reviews on your GMB. This is the single biggest lever you can pull for local visibility.
- Use AIDA in your GMB posts: grab attention with a headline, build interest with a quick tip or update, create desire with a photo or result, and drive action with a CTA.
- Post authentic pictures and videos.
Traditional mom – and – pop shops that never got reviews or took pictures? They’re losing visibility to newer competitors-even ones with less experience. That won’t be us.
Why This Matters for Service Pros (And How to Start Using It Today)
Let me be real: AIDA is a rinse-and-repeat framework I use dozens of times a week. It’s one of those “aha” moments that opens up a visual pattern you start seeing everywhere – in ads, on TV, in fliers, online.
It clicked for me back in 2022 when I was running a cannabis web agency that didn’t make it. AIDA was in all my marketing – albeit 95% AI back then. After testing, I realized I needed to find my own voice in writing alongside AI.
That’s when I finally had a framework I could iterate from.
Here’s why AIDA matters for you:
If customers are finding your competitor first, your Attention stage is broken.
If your site gets traffic but no calls, your Desire and Action stages need work.
If you’re buried on page 3 of Google, your content isn’t aligned with search intent-and AIDA can help with that.
Next steps (light touch, no massive overhaul):
- Audit your homepage: Does it follow AIDA from top to bottom? If not, restructure it.
- Review your best-performing social post: Can you spot the AIDA pattern? If it worked, it’s probably there.
- Check your GMB: Are your posts grabbing Attention and driving Action? Are you stacking reviews?
I’m constantly testing and experimenting with this framework on my personal site. These are the guardrails I’m finding and sharing – use them, adapt them, and let me know what works for you.
Common Objections (And Why They Don’t Hold Up)
“Isn’t AIDA outdated?”
Nope. Human psychology hasn’t changed. The channels have evolved, but the decision-making process is the same.
“I don’t have time to overhaul my whole site.”
You don’t need to. Start with your homepage. Then your best service page. Then your GMB. Progress over perfection.
“Does this actually work for local businesses?”
Yes. We’re seeing an average of 50% lift in monthly calls from our SEO clients. The proof is there.
“What if I’m not good at writing copy?”
Neither was I!
Sometimes I still feel like I have a long way to go.
But learning frameworks will really help. It’s like if a bowling ball didn’t have ‘finger holes’ – you’d be totally lost or have to recreate how to throw that thing! Use the ‘finger holes’ from the copywriters and the greats that came before us: AIDA, PAS, CLEAR, CLOSER, or storytelling frameworks.
And here’s a quick win: take your current site copy, plug it into ChatGPT, and ask it to rewrite using AIDA + the principles from a high-converting homepage structure. You’ll be shocked at how much better it gets.
AI, Google, and What’s Working in 2026
Let’s talk about AI and where it fits into AIDA.
AIDA frameworks fit into AI tools through guidelines. Without attention to detail in the role and scope of your llm prompting, the output won’t be there if it’s not in the input. Better prompting = better output. Period.
But here’s the bigger picture: Google is doubling down on Google Business Profiles in 2026 because ChatGPT can’t compete with all the personal user data on businesses worldwide. Google’s going to keep pressing the massive levers they have in the war with ChatGPT, and we-the users-get to see some big wins in the meantime.
I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’m glad I started learning some Google policies a while ago. This doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to AI tools-but as long as Google is in charge of the major search platforms where money is spent, I’m aligning myself with the obvious winner. While keeping an eye on other levers I can pull that fit my business model in the meantime.
The warning: Service businesses are really feeling the weight of not having authentic pictures, videos, and content on their websites and profiles.
AI slop is churning on social media. There are dozens of new scam accounts on Google, and I think traditional mom-and-pop shops that didn’t really take pictures or get reviews all these years may see their visibility drop from new competitors with less experience than them.
That won’t be us – after reading this!
FAQ: AIDA Marketing
What does AIDA stand for in marketing?
AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. It’s a four-stage framework that maps how people go from noticing you to buying from you.
Who invented the AIDA model?
Elias St. Elmo Lewis created the AIDA model in 1898. It’s been a cornerstone of sales and marketing psychology ever since.
Is the AIDA model still relevant in 2026?
Absolutely. Human psychology hasn’t changed. The channels and tools have evolved, but the decision-making process is the same.
How do you apply AIDA to a website?
Structure your homepage and service pages around the four stages: Hero section (Attention), Benefits and social proof (Interest + Desire), Reviews and FAQs (Desire), Contact form (Action).
What’s the difference between Interest and Desire in AIDA?
Interest is when someone is curious and engaged. Desire is when they emotionally want what you’re offering and believe you can deliver it. Desire requires proof-reviews, case studies, authority signals.
Can you use AIDA for social media posts?
Yes. Hook (Attention), Body (Interest + Desire), CTA (Action). It’s the same framework, just condensed.
Final Thoughts: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Here’s the thing: AIDA isn’t new. It’s not a growth hack. It’s not a secret.
It’s a tried-and-tested framework that goes back to the pitchmen on the piers, the door-to-door salesmen, the print ads of the Industrial Age. It’s a foundation piece of every great marketing campaign, every high-converting funnel, every piece of content that actually moves the needle.
We’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. And the beauty of AIDA is that it’s simple, repeatable, and works across every channel – your presentation, your website, your videos, your social media, your GMB, your emails.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to use a framework.
So here’s my challenge: audit your marketing through the lens of AIDA. Where are you grabbing attention? Where are you building interest? Where are you creating desire? And where are you driving action?
If any of those stages can be improved, fix them. Test. Iterate. Report back.
Let’s build something that actually converts.
