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.

← All brands

Coffee & breakfast · PUBLIC RESEARCH BRIEF

Dunkin’Does seasonal attention become a breakfast habit?

Dunkin’s September 8, 2026 campaign reunited Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell-Horner with Rachel Dratch playing Pumpkin Spice. It followed the August 19 seasonal menu launch. The launch-day latte promotion was limited to September 8; it is not a current offer.

Sources checked 2026-09-18 · 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 Dunkin, would emphasizing an everyday breakfast routine rather than a seasonal celebrity campaign change coffee buyers’ consideration? Compare the two messages with the same menu and price; identify differences to validate.

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What would make occasional Dunkin visitors return after a seasonal promotion ends? Separate flavor interest, convenience and value, without assuming repeat purchase.

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If another coffee chain promotes a similar seasonal drink, which reasons to choose Dunkin could survive beyond the promotion? Identify the proof each audience would need.

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PROPOSED AUDIENCE

Who should weigh in?

US adults who buy coffee or breakfast away from home, including regular Dunkin customers, occasional visitors and people who usually choose another coffee chain. Include differences in commute, value sensitivity and interest in seasonal flavors. This is a proposed research audience, not measured customer segmentation.

TWO TIME HORIZONS

Trial today. A habit tomorrow?

Near term · 0–90 days

Test whether the seasonal story changes consideration and a first visit, and whether a breakfast message changes food attachment. Separate campaign recognition from purchase intent.

Longer term · 3–12 months

Investigate whether repeat visits depend on everyday value, convenience or the seasonal product remaining available. Do not project a limited promotion across twelve months.

What would make the result actionable?

Compare exposed and unexposed buyers, then follow first-time promotion users after the offer ends. A revenue model would also need transaction baselines, incremental visits, food attachment, margin and campaign cost.

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

Public sources

Dunkin’s Pumpkin Spice campaign announcement ↗Published 2026-09-08

Dunkin’s fall menu and breakfast collaboration ↗Published 2026-08-19