From the public's point of view, informing them of solutions they may not have been aware of.
From the advertiser's point of view, finding the people who have the problem their product or service addresses.
Both of those are things that are valuable and not harmful. In practice, advertising rarely does the first. Instead, it acts as a kind of psyop. Also, most advertising engages in numerous abusive acts which make any possible benefits moot.
From the public's point of view, informing them of solutions they may not have been aware of.
From the advertiser's point of view, finding the people who have the problem their product or service addresses.
Both of those are things that are valuable and not harmful. In practice, advertising rarely does the first. Instead, it acts as a kind of psyop. Also, most advertising engages in numerous abusive acts which make any possible benefits moot.