Gen Z are not just scrolling; they are scanning for meaningful resonance. It’s not about trends anymore, it’s about cues. Here are
10 emerging cues that will impact how Gen Z sees brands.
1. Brand-as-Friend Relationship
They don’t for brands to sell; they want them to vibe instead. Take a hard look at the chaos of Duolingo’s TikTok account
2. Post-Ironic Attitude
Turn-off people with polished imperfection. Self-aware and silly humour wins
3. Low-Fidelity Edits
Low quality, in-app visuals (Notes app, CapCut) add trust faster than a Bang & Olufsen setup
4. Emoji Ambassadors
Embedded emotional shorthand. Emojis are now creating moodboards, not just messages
5. UGC Over Influence
A random, real person > a over-produced influencer
6. Micro-Callouts in Comments
Whether with memes, shouts, or comment sections, this inspires greater loyalty than DMs
7. Puzzle-styled Drops
Solve-to-unlock is a game-changer! Don’t forget that they want to own the discovery
8. Sound Cues = Memory Cues
Brands that create a catchy sound or and popular ASMR hooks keep top of mind (and For You page)
9. Glitch Aesthetics Are in!
Much more fun/engaging than perfect. It involves static, grain, and retro filters which inspires visual trust
10. Co-Creation Moment
Live polls, questions, and AMAs can inspire consumers to lead your next move
