What Does Gen Z Want From Technology and Brands?

Spike Team
By Spike Team, Updated on September 11, 2022, 7 min read
Gen_Z

Gen Z is a generation of digital natives who have never known a world without the internet. A report by Google and eMarketer found that Gen Z spends about 10 hours per day consuming media, compared to the average American adult’s seven hours. As brands seek to reach these buyers, it’s important to understand that Gen Z prefers more instant forms of digital collaboration.

 

It’s not surprising then that this generation prefers to communicate via instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger or through platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, where they can post as much as they like at any time of day or night.

 

Gen Z also has no problem telling brands what they want, and they want instant communication. They don’t want to wait around for someone to get back to them; they want their questions answered immediately! Instant communication is essential in today’s world where social media plays such a significant role in our lives. It gives tube an opportunity to connect with brands while on the go and allows you to share your opinions more quickly than ever before.

 

 

Gen Zers are Turned Off by “Clickbait”

 

Gen Z is the most educated generation yet, with many members having taken college-level classes while in high school. They are also the most diverse generation in history, with at least one-third of young Americans identifying as non-white. This cohort is more politically engaged than any other age group and is extremely concerned about issues such as climate change and income inequality.

 

A new study from the Pew Research Center found that Gen Zers, those born after 1996, prefer more instant forms of digital collaboration. They want real-time conversations and interactions with their friends and family.

 

The study also found that Gen Zers are turned off by clickbait news. They want the facts from the news they consume from people they trust. These younger consumers prefer to get their news from people they know or follow on social media, rather than from a traditional news source such as CNN or Fox News. Gen Zers are turned off by clickbait articles that don’t provide any real value. They want the facts from the news they consume.

 

The study found that social media is a major part of Gen Zers’ lives. They spend more time on social media than any other age group and find it to be an important source of information about current events. However, they are also wary of the content they see on these platforms.

According to the study:

  • 67% said they had seen fake news stories on Facebook in the past week

  • 53% said they had seen fake news stories on Twitter in the past week

  • 50% said they had seen fake news stories on Instagram in the past week

 

Gen Z Wants Instant Communication

Gen Zers want instant communication with their family, friends, coworkers, teachers, and brands. They grew up in a world where they can text a friend immediately, post something on Instagram and have it show up instantly, and get an immediate response from someone who can help them with a problem.

 

 

This has led to a shift in how Gen Z interacts with the world around them. While older generations may prefer email or phone calls for collaboration, Gen Z prefers more instant forms of digital collaboration – especially when it comes to workplace communication apps.

 

Collaboration platforms like Spike are popular among Gen Zers because they allow people to communicate quickly using their traditional email address in an app that’s extremely fast, like iMessage or WhatsApp. They love a fast email experience.

 

Forget traditional email, use instant chat at work

 

Gen Z Wants a Sense of Humor Injected Into Their Marketing Emails

MailChimp

 

Gen Z is a unique generation in many ways. They are tech-savvy, they’re used to instant gratification and they have a sense of humor. They want to engage with brands in an authentic way and they want their marketing emails to be customized.

 

A study from MarketingSherpa shows that Gen Z prefers more instant forms of digital collaboration, such as chatbots, which provide an opportunity for brands to interact with customers on a more personalized level. The study also found that Gen Z prefers branded content over traditional advertising.

 

Marketers should take note of the following insights from this study:

 

  • Gen Z wants brands to use humor when interacting online or via email. The survey found that nearly half of respondents prefer brands that use humor in their marketing emails, compared with only 11 percent who prefer no humor at all. That’s good news for marketers who want to make their communications more relatable and engaging for Gen Z.
  • Gen Z wants instant access to products and services through mobile apps and websites — not just email communication. The survey showed that 71 percent of respondents would like businesses to offer mobile apps or websites where they can check the status of an order or find out about new products and services before making a purchase decision.

 

 

Make it Easy for Gen Z to Share on Social Media

Social_Media

 

Gen Z wants companies to make it easy for them to share their opinions and experiences on social media. When marketing to Gen Z, includes hashtags that you’ll connect with.

 

Gen Z is more likely than older generations to use social media as a way to spread the word about brands they like, so your brand needs to be on the platforms where your target audience is spending time.

 

Older generations are more likely to watch TV ads when they’re deciding what new products to buy. Gen Z doesn’t watch much TV at all — in fact, most of their media consumption takes place on mobile devices — so you need to find other ways to reach them. This might include running online ads or sending text messages and push notifications directly from your website or app.

 

 

Being a Good Steward of the Environment Matters to Gen Zers

Gen Z is the most environmentally conscious generation. As an example, Gen Z is more likely to recycle than any other generation. In fact, Gen Z is almost three times more likely than millennials to be concerned about the environment and nearly twice as likely to say that being a good steward of the environment matters to them.

 

In addition, Gen Zers tend to be more wary of brands and businesses that don’t prioritize sustainability or environmental responsibility. They are also less likely to engage in unethical behavior when it comes to their personal lives. For example, Gen Zers are less likely than millennials to steal from work or lie on their tax returns.

 

 

Gen Z Doesn’t Have Time for Cheesy Language and Long Emails

Gen Z is the first generation of digital natives — a group that was born with an inherent understanding of technology. This generation has been immersed in a world where everything happens instantly, and they’re accustomed to getting things done quickly.

 

As a result, Gen Z is more inclined to prefer more instant forms of digital collaboration. According to a study by Fractl, 86% of Gen Z prefer video calls over phone calls, and 83% prefer email over text messages.

 

This preference for instant forms of communication is vital for brands to understand because it can help you better connect with your audience. It’s also important because it’s directly related to the way Gen Z interacts with brands online.

 

In order for your brand’s message to resonate with Gen Z, you need to understand how they communicate with one another online. For example, when it comes to social media posts, don’t use buzzwords or cheesy language just because it might sound cool or make your brand seem more relatable — this will only turn off your audience if they see through it right away.

 

Instead, focus on creating content that will resonate with them by using their language and tone as well as their interests; if you don’t know what those are yet.

 

 

Gen Z Wants to use iPhone

Gen Z is the first generation to have a smartphone as their first cell phone. They’ve grown up with apps, and it’s how they communicate. They’ve grown up with constant access to their friends, and it’s how they socialize.

 

Gen Z has grown up with the iPhone, and it’s their preferred device to use for communication over Android. They’ve grown up with apps, and it’s how they communicate. They’re comfortable using an iPhone app to manage their money instead of a brick-and-mortar retailer. They use Cash App to file their taxes instead of using a certified public account.

 

 

Wrap up: Gen Z Prefers More Instant Forms of Digital Collaboration and Less Fluffy Information From Brands

Millennials are no longer the only game in town. Generation Z is quickly coming of age, bringing with them a new set of expectations.

 

If you’re a business owner or marketer, you likely know that Generation Z is the current crop of young people between the ages of 14 and 20. These digital natives have grown up with technology, so it’s no surprise that they have different expectations when it comes to how they like to communicate.

In summary:

  • Gen Z prefers iPhone apps

  • Gen Z prefers more instant forms of digital collaboration

  • Gen Z prefers to do business with authentic brands with a personality

Spike Team
Spike Team The Spike team posts about productivity, time management, and the future of email, messaging and collaboration.

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