72% of Gen Z have punished brands for AI marketing
If you’re using AI-generated content in your marketing, Gen Z is watching, and a significant portion is walking.
Rival Technologies, an AI research platform, published a study titled The Gen Z AI Backlash: How Young Consumers Really Feel About AI in Marketing. The top-line number: 72 percent of Gen Z consumers have taken direct action against a brand after encountering AI-generated marketing.
What That Action Looks Like
- 50 percent unfollowed a brand on social media
- 49 percent complained to friends, family, or publicly online
- 48 percent unsubscribed from emails or texts
- 43 percent stopped buying from the brand altogether
Seventy-four percent said they react negatively when they realize a brand’s marketing was AI-generated. Half of those described the reaction as very negative. Only 8 percent react positively.
The Operator Implication
The report adds one more layer worth noting for founders and marketers who also talk publicly about using AI to cut headcount. The study found some Gen Z participants connect AI-generated marketing directly to job losses. Brands that pair efficiency messaging with workforce reductions may be amplifying the backlash they’re already generating.
The cleaner read here: AI in your production workflow is one thing. AI that’s visible to the consumer in the final output is another. The data suggests Gen Z draws that line clearly, and acts on it.
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
