Red flags, real signals:

As marketers lock in 2026 campaigns, one thing is clear: Gen Z students aren’t fooled by the same old tactics. They’re savvy, sceptical, and quick to swipe left on anything that feels forced, generic, or insincere. Our Student Life Report makes one thing unmistakably clear: students are sending strong signals about what works - and even stronger warnings about what doesn’t. This blog explores the red flags marketers can’t afford to ignore, and the cues that separate brands who get students from those who simply don’t.