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What Brands’ Social Ads Should Look Like According to Gen Z

Gen Z is drawn to products that show up naturally in videos, unscripted content, and random social posts…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Gen Z is more interested in products they discover organically in their feeds than in traditional paid ads
  • The majority of Gen Z us more interested in products in videos than static posts
  • Speaking of video, they’re more drawn to unscripted than scripted content, finding it more authentic and relatable
Young consumers aren’t really moved by flashy, over-the-top commercials anymore. Gen Z is constantly scrolling and are pros at spotting (and ignoring) anything that feels too forced or inauthentic. Even on social media, brands running traditional ads might get skipped right over. YPulse has told you before that social marketing that Gen Z will engage with looks more like jumping into viral comment sections, responding to trends with your own spin, and even creating meme merch. It’s all about how your brand can cut through the noise and connect with young audiences authentically. To dig into which types of social ads are most likely to get Gen Z’s attention, YPulse’s Ad/ Marketing Effectiveness report asks 13-39-year-olds to choose between marketing strategies that make them more interested in products. Their responses show it’s the casual, authentic, and video posts that stand out: Gen Z is more interested in random content than paid advertisements Polished, in-your-face brand ads are less interesting to Gen Z than the products they stumble upon while...

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