4 Marketing Lessons from Squid Game Season 3

Remember the sweaty palms, pounding heartbeats, and ruthless mind-benders of Squid Game? Guess what—it’s back with its third and final season.

While the players were fighting for survival and viewers were biting their fingers off, marketers like us were wearing our professional hats and taking furious notes.

We just can’t help looking at everything from a “professional” point of view (it’s a disease, really).

Behind the blood, betrayals, and countless memes on the internet, we noticed some genius lessons on how to hook an audience, keep them obsessed, and build a brand that people simply can’t stop talking about. Frankly, Squid Game is a masterclass in brand building.

Of course, you’re not going to create a billion-dollar show for Netflix. But if you have a brand or business to run—no matter how big or small—our key takeaways can help you level up your marketing game. (And don’t worry—this is a spoiler-free blog.)

Lesson 1: Strong Visual Identity Makes You Memorable

Squid Game is all about visuals—and each visual element is unique to the show, from the Squid Game logo’s geometric shapes and neon-pink jumpsuits to rainbow-colored gaming arenas and the killer doll from Red Light, Green Light.

If you spot someone wearing a green tracksuit marked 001, your mind immediately goes to the games.

None of this is accidental—it’s a deliberate production and marketing technique that gives the show its viral factor. The creators knew exactly what they were doing.

Visuals are a core driver behind successful marketing. Pick a color palette and design elements, and use them consistently across all your online and offline activities—whether it’s your brand’s logo, promotional materials, website, or Instagram feed.

There’s a reason why the combination of red and yellow reminds us of McDonald’s and why a red “N” on a black background obviously means Netflix.

Colors and designs are visual stimuli that make your brand memorable and recognizable, which goes a long way toward building credibility

Lesson 2: Be Relatable to Your Audience

Crippling debt? Check.

Strained parental relationships? Check.

Trusting people too much and getting hurt? Check. (Player 001, we’re still not over it.)

Making impulsive decisions and ending up in trouble? Check. (I’m talking to you, Seong Gi-hun.)

Squid Game is nothing if not relatable. Imagine packing all the problems your Millennial and Gen Z audience faces into a single thriller series—that’s a recipe for a hit production.

Relatability is what keeps people coming back. There’s a reason why Season 3 amassed 60.1 million views in three days, breaking the record for the most views for a show in that time frame.

But you don’t have to be glamorous or have a big budget to be relatable. A single tagline, a unique value proposition, or a personal email can make your audience think, “I know that feeling.”

For that, you need to know your audience—their demographics, psychographics, and how they behave online. A local plumber has to know the common plumbing problems their customers face, and a coffee shop should keep track of its best-selling drinks throughout the seasons.

The only way to be relatable is to focus on real consumer insights. So invest in data—it has all the answers.

Lesson 3: Create Content With Shareability in Mind

One of the biggest reasons why Squid Game keeps racking up viewers is that it’s practically engineered for shareability. Every element of the show is a potential viral moment waiting to happen.

Each season features a playful yet eerie soundtrack that trends on TikTok and Instagram, and every episode delivers a fresh batch of meme-worthy content.

Just think about it—Squid Game made green tracksuits a popular cosplay outfit and turned dalgona candy into a best-selling treat in South Korea. The earned media? Off the charts.

Small and big content creators alike (including MrBeast) recreated the games from the show, keeping the conversation alive long after the credits rolled. And that’s marketing gold.

Put simply, Squid Game offers countless ways for viewers to engage, remix, and share their obsession.

For brands, the lesson is crystal clear: create content, products, or experiences so visually striking, emotionally gripping, or downright fun that people want to share them.

Whether it’s a clever hashtag, a behind-the-scenes look, or an interactive challenge, shareability turns your audience into enthusiastic fans—spreading your message far wider than any paid ad ever could.

Can’t do all that? Start with some funny memes.

Lesson 4: Invest in PR Assets and Campaigns

One of the biggest reasons why Squid Game keeps racking up viewers is that it’s practically engineered for shareability. Every element of the show is a potential viral moment waiting to happen.

Each season features a playful yet eerie soundtrack that trends on TikTok and Instagram, and every episode delivers a fresh batch of meme-worthy content.

Just think about it—Squid Game made green tracksuits a popular cosplay outfit and turned dalgona candy into a best-selling treat in South Korea. The earned media? Off the charts.

Small and big content creators alike (including MrBeast) recreated the games from the show, keeping the conversation alive long after the credits rolled. And that’s marketing gold.

Put simply, Squid Game offers countless ways for viewers to engage, remix, and share their obsession.

For brands, the lesson is crystal clear: create content, products, or experiences so visually striking, emotionally gripping, or downright fun that people want to share them.

Whether it’s a clever hashtag, a behind-the-scenes look, or an interactive challenge, shareability turns your audience into enthusiastic fans—spreading your message far wider than any paid ad ever could.

Can’t do all that? Start with some funny memes.

For Netflix, shows like Squid Game aren’t just entertainment—they’re strategic marketing powerhouses. Every new season or spin-off isn’t only about getting more eyeballs on screens; it’s also about keeping Netflix buzzing in headlines, magazines, pop-culture blogs, and social media feeds. That’s a tidal wave of brand mentions money can’t always buy.

But Netflix doesn’t just sit back and count views. It relentlessly renews hit series, releases behind-the-scenes documentaries, drops recap content, and fuels the hype across social media platforms. All of this keeps users engaged—and attracts new ones from every corner of the internet.

When a brand creates something beyond its core product that sparks conversation and media buzz, we call it a PR asset—Squid Game is a perfect example.

Netflix went all-in on PR by riding the show’s massive popularity to create spin-off experiences like Squid Game: The Challenge (a reality show) and Squid Game: Unleashed (a mobile game). They even launched the Netflix Chill Kit—a goodie bag packed with Squid Game-themed merch.

The result? More word-of-mouth, new subscribers, glowing press coverage, and, ultimately, more revenue.

Of course, Netflix has something most brands don’t: giant budgets. But here’s the good news—you don’t need billions to play the PR game. Even small businesses can carve out modest budgets to create buzzworthy moments outside their usual offerings.

• A plumbing company could publish local consumer insights or quirky data reports, such as “Top 5 Weirdest Things People Flush Down the Toilet.”
• A coffee shop might launch coffee-inspired merch, limited-edition blends or host a latte art contest and share the winners on social media.
• A pet store could publish a local pet trends report, host a cutest pet photo contest, or produce funny TikTok videos featuring their furry friends.

No matter what industry you’re in, the opportunities are endless.

Squid Game may have wrapped its third and final season, but thanks to its mobile game, Squid Game: Unleashed, Netflix ensures fans stay hooked—and talking—long after the games have ended.