Gen Z Marketing Trends That Make Sense and Ones That Don’t!
As a new digital marketer from Gen Z, I live in two worlds: one where I learn about
marketing tactics and another where I am the target of most of them. That offers me a
strange but cool edge: I can see what really works on me and my friends and what does not
at all.
Here is what I think of Gen Z marketing trends: some of them make great sense, and some of them do not.
They seem like they are trying too hard.
Trends That Make Sense
1. Authenticity Over Perfection
Gen Z can see through the false, polished things. Brands like Duolingo and Notion win
because they show genuine people, employ memes, and do not take themselves too
seriously.
Feasibility – It makes people trust you and makes them feel like they are following a person,
not a brand.
2. Short-Form, Snackable Content
We watch TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Short-form video is a must-have for Gen Z
strategies, whether it is a 30-second tutorial, a meme, or a review of a product.
Feasibility: We do not pay attention for long, and these forms make it easy to get involved
and contribute.
3. Influencers and Celebrities
People typically find micro and nano influencers more relatable than big-name celebrities. I
believe a person with 10,000 followers who talks about a product they really use more than
a paid A-lister ad.
Feasibility: More like actual life. It is like getting a tip from a friend.
4. Social Impact & Transparency
Gen Z cares about the environment, fairness, and doing the right thing.
Feasibility: We do not just buy with our money; we buy with our principles.
5. Interactive Campaigns
We have more fun and feel more connected when we can vote, choose our own conclusion
in stories, or use AR filters.
Feasibility: We do not want to just see; we want to do something.
Trends That Don’t Make Sense
1. “Cringe” Corporate Meme Pages
When brands strive too hard to be funny, they can come out as awkward. If you do not know
a lot about meme culture, trying to force it can just make things worse.
Why it does not work: It seems false, desperate, and loses cool points right away.
2. Overuse of Slang
Adding lit, vibe check, and it is giving to every post does not mean you are Gen Z-friendly.
Why it does not work: It’s often obsolete, abused, or plain useless.
3. Obvious Performative Activism
Putting a rainbow emblem on your profile picture during Pride Month or a black square
during BLM without doing anything important behind the scenes is worse than doing
nothing.
Why it does not work: We quickly look into and call out performative behaviour.
4. Forced Virality
Brands who strive to become viral by replicating trends exactly typically do not get it right.
Gen Z likes new things, not those that are the same as others.
Why it does not work: You can not make something go viral. We scroll past if it seems like you are trying too hard.
5. Hard-Selling in Every Post
We do not want to be sold all the time. First, you should post information that is
educational, interesting, or motivating. Only then can you market.
Why it does not work: It feels aggressive and out of date to always be marketing.
Growing up with the internet is part of being Gen Z. We know how adverts operate. We can
tell when someone is trying to grab us. So, for marketers seeking to get to us (including me,
a new person), the rule is clear:
Be real. Be useful. Do not pretend.
If you are a company or marketer seeking to reach Gen Z, take a step back, listen more than
you talk, and make content that you would genuinely want to read.
