Social Media is Now the Top Source for Breaking News, New Sprout Social Research Finds
Rhea-AI Summary
Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT) research dated March 25, 2026 finds social media is now the primary channel for breaking news discovery, surpassing TV. The Q1 2026 Pulse Survey reports widespread skepticism: 88% cite AI-generated video tools eroding trust and 56% see “AI slop” often.
Despite that, 65% say trust in social remained the same or rose, and Gen Z shows a +25% trust gain while 51% want journalists more active on social.
Positive
- Social media now leads as the top source for breaking news
- 65% of users report stable or increased trust in social media
- Gen Z trust increased by 25% year-over-year
Negative
- 88% say AI-generated video tools erode trust in social news
- 56% of consumers frequently see low-quality “AI slop” on feeds
- 66% of users are more selective about engaging with social content
News Market Reaction – SPT
On the day this news was published, SPT gained 1.27%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +2.8% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 8 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $4M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $351.11M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SPT fell 6.78% while peers were mixed: SMWB +1.88%, DCBO -4.28%, VERB +3.72%, PDFS +3.17%, SEMR -0.08%, suggesting a stock-specific move rather than a broad sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18 | Product recognition | Positive | -0.3% | Named #1 in 59 G2 reports with 198 leader badges. |
| Mar 09 | Investor webinar | Neutral | -3.1% | Announced platform overview and system of record webinar. |
| Feb 26 | Earnings results | Positive | -9.3% | Reported Q4 2025 revenue growth and Rule of 40 target. |
| Feb 19 | Awards recognition | Positive | +0.4% | Recognized in G2’s 2026 Best Software Awards across six categories. |
| Feb 18 | AI partnership | Positive | +3.6% | Launched AI-powered solutions and expanded Reddit partnership. |
Recent history shows several positive or neutral announcements followed by negative price reactions, especially around earnings and product or recognition news.
Over the past month, SPT reported multiple positive developments, including G2 recognitions on Feb 18–19 and Mar 18, AI‑powered product launches, and strong Q4 2025 revenue of $120.9M with double‑digit growth. Yet, the stock sold off after earnings on Feb 26 (-9.28%) and dipped after several upbeat news items. Today’s survey highlighting social media’s role in news and AI‑related trust issues fits into this pattern of news flow against a weak share-price backdrop.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscores SPT’s role in the evolving social media landscape, highlighting that social is now the primary channel for breaking news discovery while trust is pressured by AI-generated content and “AI slop.” The findings align with SPT’s focus on social intelligence and AI tools seen in prior updates and filings. Investors may watch how the company’s analytics, content authenticity features, and enterprise relationships address these trust concerns and support revenue growth noted in recent results.
Key Terms
ai-generated content technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Despite social’s leading role in news discovery,
88% of people report declining trust in social media news due to the rise of AI-generated content 56% of consumers report seeing “AI slop” often or very often on their social feeds66% of users are more selective about what they engage with on social than they were a year ago
CHICAGO, March 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new study from Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), an industry-leading provider of social media management and analytics software, social media is now the primary channel for breaking news discovery, overtaking TV, also ahead of podcasts, news apps, and print media. Sprout Social’s Q1 2026 Pulse Survey shows this trend is even stronger among Gen Z, with roughly half (
However, the findings reveal a simultaneous rise in skepticism among consumers about the news they see in their feeds. In fact,
While there is heightened skepticism around the news people see in their feeds,
“With audiences turning to social for everything from entertainment and inspiration to news and connection, capturing attention and building trust is more competitive than ever,” said Scott Morris, Chief Marketing Officer at Sprout Social. “The rise of AI-generated content adds a new layer of complexity, but it’s a challenge brands, creators and news organizations can overcome. By utilizing social intelligence, organizations can understand how and where audiences want to engage, show up with authenticity and deliver meaningful content. Those who do can break through the noise and make a real connection with their audiences.”
The Q1 2026 Pulse Survey gives clear takeaways on how to build trust and spark meaningful engagement in today’s complex social landscape:
- Transparency matters: The most common behavior consumers want brands to stop doing in 2026 is posting AI-generated content without clearly labeling it.
- AI slop has consequences:
50% of Gen Z have already blocked, muted, or unfollowed a brand or creator because their content felt like AI slop. - Intentional social use is rising: Consumers’ top social goals for the coming year include self-improvement and learning, as well as using social media more intentionally.
- “Edutainment” continues to dominate: Content that blends entertainment with educational value remains the primary reason users stop scrolling and engage.
For more, including consumer data on social media bans, taking a stand on social issues and social media usage for the rest of 2026, access the full Q1 2026 Pulse Survey here.
About the data
This consumer survey was conducted online by Glimpse, a global market research firm, on behalf of Sprout Social. Participants included 2,250 social media users across the US, UK and Australia. The survey was conducted from February 5 to February 9, 2026.
About Sprout Social
Sprout Social is a global leader in social media management and analytics software, built on the belief that All Business is Social℠. Sprout’s intuitive platform puts powerful social data into the hands of tens of thousands of brands so they can deliver smarter, faster business impact. Named the #1 Best Software Product by G2’s 2024 Best Software Award, Sprout offers comprehensive publishing and engagement functionality, customer care, influencer marketing, advocacy, and AI-powered business intelligence. Sprout’s software operates across all major social media networks and digital platforms. For more information about Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), visit sproutsocial.com.
Social Media Profiles
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www.instagram.com/sproutsocial
Media Contact
Kaitlyn Gronek
Email: pr@sproutsocial.com
Phone: (773) 904-9674
FAQ
What did Sprout Social (SPT) find on March 25, 2026 about breaking news sources?
How has trust in social media news changed according to Sprout Social (SPT) on March 25, 2026?
What percentage of users report seeing low-quality AI content on social feeds in Sprout Social's March 25, 2026 survey?
How are user engagement habits changing per Sprout Social (SPT) Q1 2026 Pulse Survey?
What do Gen Z respondents tell Sprout Social (SPT) about news and trust on March 25, 2026?
What actions do users want brands to take about AI content, per Sprout Social (SPT) March 25, 2026 findings?
