The Marketing Pulse: Super Bowl 2026 ad reactions

What’s ONE thing people wish they could tell Super Bowl advertisers about what they actually want to see in the ads?

Humor.
If there’s one thing people want on Super Bowl night, it’s to be entertained. Over half of Pulsers (55%) said making them laugh matters most.

Authenticity and storytelling matter
Humor works best when it’s done naturally. 1 in 3 respondents said ads should feel authentic or real (33%) and tell a good story (30%). People want ads that feel human and relatable, not overly polished or try-hard.

The star power myth
Big names don’t guarantee big impact. Forced celebrity appearances turned off 36% of respondents, and “big celebrities & spectacle” ranked near the bottom of what people care about most (13%). Star power alone isn’t enough to hold attention.

Product ideas still count (just don’t oversell them)
Over a quarter of respondents (27%) want to see a great product idea come through. What they don’t want is to feel like they’re watching a long sales pitch — something that put off 44% of people.

What to avoid at all costs…
Political or controversial takes were a major turn-off, with 44% saying this would put them off a Super Bowl ad entirely. Overly emotional or cheesy storytelling, jumping on trends too late, and trying too hard to be funny also ranked high on the no thanks list.

What this means for advertisers

For brands investing in Super Bowl ads, the takeaway is pretty clear:

• Lead with humor, but don’t force it

• Tell stories that feel genuine and relatable

• Don’t rely on celebrities to do the heavy lifting

• Skip politics and heavy-handed sales messages

• Balance entertainment with a clear (but light) product idea

People want to enjoy Super Bowl ads.

So that’s what people want. The next question is: how are they reacting to what brands are teasing?

Budweiser’s teaser 2026

Budweiser’s teaser, Stable, marks the brand’s return to the Super Bowl. It features the iconic Clydesdale horses reacting to a metal bucket that appears to move on its own (what could it be?). A classic Budweiser signature feel with a little mystery thrown in.

How curious does this teaser make people about the full ad?

• 83% felt at least some curiosity (from slightly to extremely curious)

• 48% were highly curious

• 17% weren’t curious at all

How likely are people to watch the full Budweiser ad?

• 76% said they’re likely to watch the full ad (very or somewhat likely)

• 24% said they’re unlikely to watch

So, what are people liking so far?

A lot of what stood out comes back to familiarity.

The top 5 answers:

#1 The Clydesdale horses

#2 The mystery element

#3 That it feels like classic Budweiser

#4 The storytelling style

#5 The stable / farm setting

Bottom line: most viewers are hooked.

Pringles’ teaser 2026

Pringles’ teaser stars Sabrina Carpenter and introduces a playful visual twist: a bouquet made entirely of Pringles. It’s quirky, unexpected, and definitely made to be noticed.

How curious does this teaser make people about the full ad?

• 71% said they felt at least some curiosity (slightly to extremely curious)

• 35% were highly curious

• 28% weren’t curious at all

How well does this teaser feel like “Pringles”?

• 52% said it felt like Pringles (either very much or somewhat)

• 27% felt neutral

• 22% said it didn’t feel like the brand

What are people liking so far?

The responses were a bit more spread out, with the visual concept leading the way.

The top 5 answers:

#1 The Pringles bouquet visual idea
#2 The humor
#3 The celebrity (Sabrina Carpenter)
#4 The originality of the idea
#5 The overall tone

In fact, one viewer put it best: “My girlfriend would love that.” And they weren’t alone, 35% of female viewers highlighted the Pringles bouquet as a standout visual.

Bottom line: People appreciated the creativity, but not everyone connected it clearly to the brand. 

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👀 Up next: More ads, more reactions. We’ll update this blog as Super Bowl ads drop.