• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, June 6, 2022

Technology companies from Meta Platforms to Tesla have showed the hiring process as U.S. consumers remain divided over the most important values for the remainder of the year.

Findings from a Wall Street Journalsurvey conducted with NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research organization that measures social attitudes, found that U.S. consumers feel the burden from “some of the highest levels of economic dissatisfaction in years.”

The pessimism extended past the economy to include doubts about the nation’s political system and the ability to achieve the American dream.

Google searches reflect worldwide consumers' concerns over the economy. Trending higher in May 2022 was the keyword "cheap,” the company reported Monday.

When marketers think through the messages in ads they will use to reach consumers, it will become more important to keep budgeting keyword choices in mind.

The Global Market Insights team often digs into data from billions of searches and consumer behaviors to track current market trends. This past month, the team saw a rise in people looking for ways to save money on everything from food and gas to travel and celebrations.

Some 70% of consumers across surveyed countries say they are concerned about the rising cost of the items they need or want to buy. In searches for affordable essentials, consumers often use the keywords “cheap food near me” and “cheapest countries to visit,” “cheap flight tickets” and “party finger food ideas budget.”

Searches for “cheapest countries to visit” have grown globally by more than 7,000% in May 2022, compared with the prior year.

Searches for “cheap food near me” have grown globally by more than 70% in May 2022, compared with the prior year. And searches for “cheap flight tickets” have grown by 100%.