This article examines the impact of visual complexity (V-complexity) (high/low) on consumer pleasure, arousal and purchase intention when exposed to food advertisements on Instagram. Initially, a manipulation check was performed by getting several Instagram food advertisements rated by 100 Instagram users based on V-complexity. Later, an online questionnaire link was sent to the respondents with pictures of advertisements with high and low V-complexity. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used on 215 usable responses with the use of the SMART-PLS software. The findings revealed that high levels of V-complexity generate arousal and pleasure and influence purchase intention. In contrast, low V-complexity doesn’t influence arousal and pleasure but affects purchase intention. This is the first study that explores the role of V-complexity in Instagram food advertising performed in a developing economy. This research also contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the V-complexity of social media food marketing.
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