Inside Gen Z’s Mindset, Media Habits, and Advertising Signals in 2026
CivicScience engages directly with consumers, collecting over one million survey responses daily, to turn real-time insights into high-performing advertising campaigns. See how leading brands use Civi...
Gen Z is encountering financial pressure, shifting media habits, and a saturated advertising environment. New CivicScience data looks at how these forces are shaping their mindsets, behaviors, and priorities. Check out the infographic here ⬇️
06.02.2026 20:19 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Over a third of respondents tell CivicScience they plan to buy themselves a Valentine’s Day gift this year, up 3 points from 2025. Self-gifting jumps to 65% among Gen Z, 20+ points higher than other generations. See more Valentine's Day insights here ➡️ hubs.la/Q041_yVF0
06.02.2026 20:19 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
After a brief, likely holiday-inspired bump in consumer financial outlook in December, the CivicScience Consumer Financial Health Index declined slightly by 0.06 points in January 2026 and now sits 3.21 points below its level this time last year ➡️ hubs.la/Q041P3CV0
06.02.2026 20:18 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Super Bowl LX nears, and CivicScience data find that 66% of Americans plan to watch–on par with last season. This year, women highlight a notable shift: 62% intend to watch (+6pp from 2024), and are driving increased betting interests. Full insights ➡️ hubs.la/Q0415lK90
30.01.2026 20:40 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
In the latest biweekly reading, the Penta-CS Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) fell by 2.1 points to 32.7, offsetting the gains recorded in the prior period. During this time, all five of the ESI’s indicators decreased, led by confidence in making a major purchase. Full reading: hubs.la/Q040X0Jm0
30.01.2026 20:40 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Health and Wellness: The Only Category With Net-Positive Spending Intent in 2026
CivicScience engages directly with consumers, collecting over one million survey responses daily, to turn real-time insights into high-performing advertising campaigns. See how leading brands use Civi...
Amid economic uncertainty, health & wellness stands out. Recent CivicScience data shows it’s the only category where more consumers plan to increase spending in 2026 than cut back. But what “wellness” means varies — here’s how spending is shifting ⬇️
30.01.2026 20:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
CivicScience data show that Dry January completion slipped in 2026– 20% of U.S. drinkers 21+ did not finish, nearly doubling from 2025. Plans to resume normal drinking rose 8 points as fewer consumers look to make long-term changes this year. Read more: hubs.la/Q040wPNs0
30.01.2026 20:36 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
10 Beauty Trends to Watch in 2026
CivicScience engages directly with consumers, collecting over one million survey responses daily, to turn real-time insights into high-performing advertising campaigns. See how leading brands use Civi...
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, beauty remains important, but in more intentional ways. Rather than fully cutting back amid rising prices, consumers appear to be more selective, prioritizing beauty differently alongside broader wellness goals ⬇️
23.01.2026 21:58 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
As Americans enter 2026, living paycheck to paycheck is a common reality. CivicScience data finds 76% have little to no financial safety net: 21% of paycheck recipients report having nothing left after expenses, and 55% with a small amount remaining. ➡️ hubs.la/Q03_M0j90
23.01.2026 21:58 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Forty-two percent of Gen Z adults are ready to begin investing in 2026, and here's what you need to know about them ➡️ hubs.la/Q03-_nXW0
23.01.2026 21:57 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CS ESI, as of January 13, marked the largest increase since July 2022, rising by 2.9 points to 34.8. This comes after the ESI increased 0.5 points over the two-week period through December 30, 2025. Full reading: hubs.la/Q03-SH0l0
23.01.2026 21:56 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
According to the final 2025 CivicScience Well-Being Index reading, well-being among U.S. adults 18+ rose to 55.31. This reflects a 1.82-point increase since November, but is 2.18 points lower than December 2024. Full story: hubs.la/Q03-NlNj0
23.01.2026 21:54 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
With 56% of those who celebrated the holidays saying they received a gift card, data show essentials still lead spending. However, compared to the 2024 holiday season, gift cards are more often being used—or planned to be used—for health/wellness purchases. civicscience.com/holiday-gift...
23.01.2026 21:54 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
New CivicScience data show that 35% of holiday gift recipients plan to return or exchange at least one item — matching 2023 levels, but up 8 points from last year. Read the top reasons for returns here ➡️ hubs.la/Q03-3bcp0
23.01.2026 21:52 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
With Dry January underway, CivicScience data show participation intent among U.S. drinkers 21+ is rising, with 56% at least somewhat likely to participate. This year, non-carbonated beverages lead as substitutes, followed by soda and CBD. Full story ➡️ hubs.la/Q03ZSkqp0
23.01.2026 21:51 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
https://pollsandinsights.com/X/?civicscience-widget-question=169807
Where do you stand? Take this survey now (and many more like it) and see how you compare with those who share your preference: t.co/nnEuOrS550
23.01.2026 21:50 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The majority of Americans with an opinion say mashed potatoes are a better side dish than baked potatoes. That said, the gap has closed significantly since 2024.
23.01.2026 21:50 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Nearly 70% of U.S. adults plan to make a New Year’s resolution for 2026, up 3 points YOY. Diet and fitness still lead, but plans to quit drinking/smoking jumped the most (+5 points), now ranking third. See the full data here: hubs.la/Q03Zcnhm0
23.01.2026 21:50 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
'Tis the season for baking. CivicScience data show Americans are most likely to say cookies are their favorite thing to bake. Americans aged 18-44 are more likely to prefer cakes, while those aged 45 and above tend to prefer pies.
23.01.2026 21:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
The latest biweekly reading of the Penta-CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) fell by 0.6 points from 32.0 to 31.4. Three of the five ESI indicators declined, with confidence in the overall U.S. economy falling the most. Full reading: hubs.la/Q03YDkVF0
19.12.2025 15:21 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Despite a pessimistic outlook on their future income, the 55+ demographic isn't holding back spending entirely. Data show that 57% plan to increase spending in at least one area studied in 2026, notably wellness, home improvement, and travel. Full story: hubs.la/Q03Yt2gd0
19.12.2025 15:20 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
https://hubs.la/Q03Yt0P90
With Christmas quickly approaching, CivicScience data shows that a substantial share of shoppers still haven't started. Here's what sets them apart ⬇️ t.co/5TodLkq2Wo
19.12.2025 15:19 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
https://hubs.la/Q03YjMtx0
December’s end inches closer, and CivicScience weekly tracking shows that 52% of holiday shoppers are at least halfway done with their gift purchases–a 10pp increase from last week. Find more gifting insights here ⬇️ t.co/OPrv5QStbt
19.12.2025 15:17 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
CivicScience data show gift cards remain a holiday go-to: 67% of shoppers plan to buy them this year. Among the one-third buying more gift cards, holiday stress jumps to 66%, suggesting gift cards help simplify the season. Full story ➡️ hubs.la/Q03X_TsR0
19.12.2025 15:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0