What is synthetic research?

Synthetic research uses AI-powered personas that simulate how real buyers, customers, or market segments would respond to your research questions. It produces directional signal — insights to sharpen your hypotheses — before you invest in real primary fieldwork. Gather Synthetic runs AI-moderated interviews across any audience archetype in minutes, not weeks.

How is synthetic research different from real research?

Synthetic research generates directional signal using AI personas, while real primary research collects data from actual people. Synthetic pre-research is faster (minutes vs. weeks), cheaper, and ideal for hypothesis generation and stakeholder alignment. It is not statistically valid and should be used to focus and prioritize real fieldwork, not replace it. Gather offers both synthetic pre-research and real AI-moderated interviews with actual respondents.

What types of research can Gather Synthetic run?

Gather Synthetic supports 14 study types: Brand Perception, Product Feedback, Concept Testing, Competitive Intelligence, CX/NPS Deep Dive, Messaging & Claims Testing, Win/Loss Analysis, Market Segmentation, Pricing Research, Ad & Creative Testing, Customer Journey Mapping, Feature Prioritization, Churn & Retention Analysis, and Audience Discovery.

How much does synthetic research cost?

The first 5 synthetic interviews are free. After that, B2C audience interviews cost $0.50 each and B2B audience interviews cost $5.00 each. There is no subscription required.

How accurate is synthetic research?

Synthetic research is directional, not statistically accurate. Confidence scores reflect internal AI response consistency, not statistical significance. Quantitative projections carry a ±15–20% margin of error. Treat findings as educated hypotheses to validate with real primary research, not as definitive measurements.

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Device trade-in & upgrade decisions · PUBLIC RESEARCH BRIEF

AppleWhat gets an old device out of the drawer?

Apple Trade In offers an estimate for eligible devices, credit toward a purchase or an Apple Gift Card, and free recycling for devices without trade-in value. Apple notes that final value depends on verified condition and that online and store trade-in routes are available. This brief studies completion of an informed trade-in, not upgrade demand.

Sources checked 2026-09-21 · Simulation results not yet generated

Test a question in Gather ↗Explore fictional demo →

CHANGE ONE THING. LEARN WHAT MATTERS.

Three questions for the GTM team.

For an eligible Apple device owner, would emphasizing a verified estimate or a clear data-transfer and erasure checklist do more to move them from consideration to a completed trade-in? Show both facts accurately and distinguish starting an estimate from surrendering the device.

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Would choosing between an online kit and an Apple Store evaluation be easier with a proposed side-by-side explanation of timing, condition verification and handoff steps? Test comprehension with current terms and do not imply that the two routes guarantee the same final credit.

Set up this study →

If Apple's verified condition produces a lower revised value, which explanation helps the owner make an informed accept-or-reject decision? Use a hypothetical amount and make clear that the owner may reject a lower revised offer under the stated process; do not predict how often revisions occur.

Set up this study →

PROPOSED AUDIENCE

Who should weigh in?

US adults who own an unused smartphone, tablet, computer or watch and are considering an Apple purchase, gift-card trade-in or device recycling. Include people comfortable and uncomfortable with data transfer and erasure, plus prior trade-in users. Do not recruit minors. Proposed audience; device eligibility and value must be verified individually.

TWO TIME HORIZONS

Trial today. A habit tomorrow?

Near term · 0–90 days

Over 0–90 days, observe eligible owners completing an estimate, preparing data and choosing a route, with an option to stop at every stage. Record eligibility, abandoned steps, actual verified value and informed acceptance or rejection. An upgrade purchase and completion of the trade-in are separate outcomes.

Longer term · 3–12 months

Over 3–12 months, follow whether completed participants use purchase credit or a gift card, recycle an ineligible device and choose the process again later. Examine trust after estimate-to-final-value differences. Do not treat keeping a functioning backup device as a failed outcome.

What would make the result actionable?

Use consented process observations and authorized transaction records while never collecting device contents or account credentials. Compare estimated and verified condition, route, turnaround, support and final disposition. Any incremental-sales or environmental claim needs observed purchase behavior and a separate impact methodology, not simulated preferences.

A Gather simulation returns hypothetical customer reactions. Quantifying revenue, traffic or retention needs actual business inputs and validation against observed behavior.

Public sources

Apple Trade In process, credit, condition and recycling ↗Current product page; checked 2026-09-21