Social Media is Now the Top Source for Breaking News, New Sprout Social Research Finds

Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT) research dated March 25, 2026 finds social media is now the primary channel for breaking news discovery, surpassing TV.

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

Argus Mar 25 session

+1.27% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – SPT

In the Mar 25 session, SPT gained 1.27%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement underscores SPT’s role in the evolving social media landscape, highlighting that s...

Analysis

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 Figures

Declining trust in social news: 88% Frequency of AI slop: 56% More selective engagement: 66% +3 more

Declining trust in social news

88%

People reporting declining trust in social media news due to AI-generated content, Q1 2026 Pulse Survey

Frequency of AI slop

56%

Consumers seeing 'AI slop' often or very often on social feeds, Q1 2026 Pulse Survey

More selective engagement

66%

Users more selective about what they engage with on social vs a year ago

Gen Z wants more news on social

51%

Gen Z wanting news organizations/reporters to be more active on social

Trust in social stable or higher

65%

People saying their trust in social media overall stayed the same or increased over past year

Gen Z blocking over AI slop

50%

Gen Z who blocked, muted, or unfollowed a brand/creator due to AI slop

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 18

5 events

1. Mar 18

   Product recognition

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Named #1 in 59 G2 reports with 198 leader badges.

2. Mar 09

   Investor webinar

   24h Move

   -3.1%

   Announced platform overview and system of record webinar.

3. Feb 26

   Earnings results

   24h Move

   -9.3%

   Reported Q4 2025 revenue growth and Rule of 40 target.

4. Feb 19

   Awards recognition

   24h Move

   +0.4%

   Recognized in G2’s 2026 Best Software Awards across six categories.

5. Feb 18

   AI partnership

   24h Move

   +3.6%

   Launched AI-powered solutions and expanded Reddit partnership.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

ai-generated content

1 terms

ai-generated content technical

"The most common behavior consumers want brands to stop doing in 2026 is posting AI-generated content without clearly labeling it."

Content created automatically by computer programs that use artificial intelligence to write text, generate images, or produce audio and video rather than a human author. Investors care because this “robot-produced” material can speed up communications and cut costs, but it also raises risks around accuracy, disclosure, legal compliance and company credibility—similar to trusting automated bookkeeping versus a human review, errors or misleading claims can affect value and regulatory standing.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Add on Google Not now

• 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 feeds
• 66% 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 (51%) of this generation also wanting news organizations and reporters to be even more active on social.

However, the findings reveal a simultaneous rise in skepticism among consumers about the news they see in their feeds. In fact, 88% say AI-generated video tools have eroded their trust in the news they see on social media, with misinformation and “AI slop” (i.e., low-quality AI-generated content) being the top two factors driving skepticism. As a result, two in three social users are now more selective about what content they engage with. As social platforms become the new “front page,” the stakes are rising for publishers, journalists and brands to show up with credible, engaging content that audiences trust.

While there is heightened skepticism around the news people see in their feeds, 65% still say their trust in social media overall has remained the same or increased over the past year. Gen Z’s trust has risen the most of any generation (25%), citing improvements in security/privacy, good content experiences and a sense of personal connection and community as the top factors driving that increase.

“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.x.com/SproutSocialIR
www.facebook.com/SproutSocialInc
www.linkedin.com/company/sprout-social-inc-/
www.instagram.com/sproutsocial

Media Contact
Kaitlyn Gronek
Email: pr@sproutsocial.com
Phone: (773) 904-9674

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Sprout Social (SPT) find on March 25, 2026 about breaking news sources?

Social media is now the primary channel for breaking news, overtaking TV and other outlets. According to the company, the Q1 2026 Pulse Survey shows social leads news discovery, especially among Gen Z, reshaping where audiences first encounter breaking stories.

How has trust in social media news changed according to Sprout Social (SPT) on March 25, 2026?

Trust in social news has become more polarized, with widespread skepticism driven by AI content. According to the company, 88% say AI-generated video tools eroded trust, yet 65% report overall trust stayed the same or increased over the past year.

What percentage of users report seeing low-quality AI content on social feeds in Sprout Social's March 25, 2026 survey?

Fifty-six percent of consumers report seeing “AI slop” often or very often on social feeds. According to the company, this frequent exposure to low-quality AI-generated content is a top factor driving user skepticism and selective engagement.

How are user engagement habits changing per Sprout Social (SPT) Q1 2026 Pulse Survey?

Two in three social users are now more selective about engaging with content on social media. According to the company, 66% report increased selectivity, which could affect reach and interaction rates for publishers and brands.

What do Gen Z respondents tell Sprout Social (SPT) about news and trust on March 25, 2026?

Gen Z shows the largest trust increase and active interest in news on social platforms. According to the company, about 51% want news organizations more active on social and Gen Z trust rose by 25% year-over-year.

What actions do users want brands to take about AI content, per Sprout Social (SPT) March 25, 2026 findings?

Consumers want transparency: they want brands to label AI-generated content rather than post it unlabeled. According to the company, clear labeling is the most common behavior users want brands to stop avoiding in 2026.