KEY FINDINGS AS OF OCTOBER 2026

Consumer Conversations Focus on Inflation, Recession + Election

In the 30+ million discussions we’ve tracked through September, mentions of inflation rose to 16.2% of all economic conversation, the highest level in 19 months. At the same time, recession language nearly doubled, from 2.9% to 5.4%.  

For the first time in our data series, the election entered the economic conversation at meaningful volume, present in 7.0% of all posts — not as a political topic but as an economic one. The structure of the conversation has changed: economic conditions are being identified by consumers as the result of choices, not forces. 

As consumers explore accountability for their current circumstances, they’ll be watching closely to decide which brands deserve a place in their lives.