--- title: Differentiating Customer and Consumer Research in Quirk's description: The terms consumer and customer research are often used interchangeably, but should they be? This article, from Sophie Grieve-Williams and published by Quirk's, explains. image: https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Resources/Image_Cards/Differentiating%20Customer%20and%20Consumer%20Research.png --- close ## Ready to level up your insights? Get ready to streamline, scale and supercharge your research. Fill out this form to request a demo of the InsightHub platform and discover the difference insights empowerment can make. A member of our team will reach out within two working days. close ## Cost effective insights that scale Quality insight doesn't need to cost the earth. Our flexible approach helps you make the most of research budgets and build an agile solution that works for you. Fill out this form to request a call back from our team to explore our pricing options. [![FlexMR logo](https://www.flexmr.net/skin/images/images-custom/2b221b67-b091-4584-9017-872ee2ddf960-logo.svg)](https://www.flexmr.net/) Book a Demo Request Pricing [Contact Us](https://www.flexmr.net/contact/) Menu - [Home](https://www.flexmr.net/) - [InsightHub](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) - [What is InsightHub?](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) - [Data Collection](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-collection/) - [Data Analysis](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-analysis/) - [Data Activation](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-activation/) - [Research Templates](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/survey-templates/) - [Information Security](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/information-security/) - [Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/) - [Our Expert Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/) - [Support & Education](https://www.flexmr.net/services/support-and-education/) - [Consultative Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/consultative-services/) - [Insight Delivery](https://www.flexmr.net/services/insight-delivery-services/) - [Research Methods](https://www.flexmr.net/methods/) - [Sectors We Work With](https://www.flexmr.net/sectors/) - [About](https://www.flexmr.net/about/) - [About Us](https://www.flexmr.net/about/) - [Leadership](https://www.flexmr.net/about/leadership/) - [Meet the team](https://www.flexmr.net/about/meet-the-team/) - [Advisory Board](https://www.flexmr.net/about/advisory-board/) - [Press & Media](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/press) - [Accolades](https://www.flexmr.net/about/accolades/) - [Careers](https://www.flexmr.net/about/careers/) - [Blog](https://blog.flexmr.net/) - [Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net) - [Contact](https://www.flexmr.net/contact/) - [Book a Demo](https://resources.flexmr.net/) - [Request Pricing](https://resources.flexmr.net/) - [Home](https://www.flexmr.net/) - [InsightHub](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) - - [What is InsightHub?](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) - [Data Collection](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-collection/) - [Data Analysis](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-analysis/) - [Data Activation](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/data-activation/) - [Research Templates](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/survey-templates/) - [Information Security](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/information-security/) - ![Camp InsightHub](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/camp_insighthub_nav.png) Embark on a new adventure. Join Camp InsightHub, our free demo platform, to discover the future of research. [Sign Up Today](https://insighthub.flexmr.net/users/new) - ![FlexMR InsightHub](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/insighthub_screenshot.png) Read a brief overview of the agile research platform enabling brands to inform decisions at speed in this PDF. [Download Brochure](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/InsightHub_Brochure.pdf) - ### InsightHub on the Blog - [Surveys, Video and the Changing Face of Agile Research](https://blog.flexmr.net/surveys-video-changing-agile-research) - [Building a Research Technology Stack for Better Insights](https://blog.flexmr.net/research-technology-stack) - [The Importance of Delegation in Managing Insight Activities](https://blog.flexmr.net/delegation-importance-insight-activities) - [Common Insight Platform Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)](https://blog.flexmr.net/platform-pitfalls-how-to-avoid-them) - [Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/) - - [Our Expert Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/) - [Support and Education](https://www.flexmr.net/services/support-and-education/) - [Consultative Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/consultative-services/) - [Insight Delivery Services](https://www.flexmr.net/services/insight-delivery-services/) - [Research Methods](https://www.flexmr.net/methods/) - [Sectors We Work With](https://www.flexmr.net/sectors/) - ![FlexMR Services Team](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/services.jpg) Our services drive operational and strategic success in challenging environments. Find out how. [Download Brochure](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Brochures/FlexMR_Services_Brochure.pdf) - ![Video Close Connection Programme](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/video_services.jpg) Close Connections bring stakeholders and customers together for candid, human conversations. [Read Press Release](https://resources.flexmr.net/close-connections-launch) - ### Explore our Practices - [Communities Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/insighthub/) - [Closeness Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/practices/customer-closeness/) - [CX Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/practices/customer-experience/) - [Insight Communications Practice](https://www.flexmr.net/practices/insight-communications/) - [About](https://www.flexmr.net/about/) - - [About Us](https://www.flexmr.net/about/) - [Leadership](https://www.flexmr.net/about/leadership/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.flexmr.net/about/meet-the-team/) - [Advisory Board](https://www.flexmr.net/about/advisory-board/) - [Press & Media](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/press) - [Accolades](https://www.flexmr.net/about/accolades/) - [Careers](https://www.flexmr.net/about/careers/) - ![FlexMR Credentials Deck](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/flexmr_credentials.png) The FlexMR credentials deck provides a brief introduction to the team, our approach to research and previous work. [Download Credentials](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Brochures/FlexMR_Credentials.pdf) - ![FlexMR Insights Empowerment](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/insights_empowerment.png) We are the insights empowerment company. Our framework addresses the major pressures insight teams face. [Download Brochure](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Brochures/Insights_Empowerment_Brochure.pdf) - ### Latest News - [Insight as Art Shortlisted for AURA Innovation Award](https://resources.flexmr.net/aura-innovation-award-2021) - [FlexMR Launch Video Close Connection Programme](https://resources.flexmr.net/close-connections-launch) - [VideoMR Analysis Tool Added to InsightHub](https://resources.flexmr.net/videomr-launch) - [FlexMR Makes Shortlist for Quirks Research Supplier Award](https://resources.flexmr.net/quirksmr-mr-supplier-award-2020) - [Blog](https://blog.flexmr.net) - - [Latest Posts](https://blog.flexmr.net) - [Strategic Thinking](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/strategic-thinking) - [Technology & Trends](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/tech-trends) - [Research Methods](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/research-methods) - [Practical Application](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/practical-application) - [Insights Empowerment](https://blog.flexmr.net/topic/insights-empowerment) - [View Full Blog Archives](https://blog.flexmr.net/all) - ![FlexMR Close Connection Programme](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/close_connection.png) Discover how to build close customer connections to better support real-time decision making. [Build Connections](https://blog.flexmr.net/practical-support-real-time-decisions) - ![Market Research Playbook](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/market_research_playbook.png) What is a market research and insights playbook, plus discover why should your team consider building one. [Discover Playbooks](https://blog.flexmr.net/market-research-playbook) - ### Featured Posts - [Five Strategies for Turning Insight into Action](https://blog.flexmr.net/5-strategies-turn-insights-into-action) - [How to Design Surveys that Ask the Right Questions](https://blog.flexmr.net/effective-survey-design-guide) - [Scaling Creative Qual for Rich Customer Insight](https://blog.flexmr.net/scale-creative-qual-rich-understanding) - [How to Measure Brand Awareness: The Complete Guide](https://blog.flexmr.net/measure-brand-awareness) - [Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net) - - [All Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net) - [Client Stories](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/case-studies) - [Whitepapers](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/whitepapers) - [Events & Webinars](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/events) - [The Open Ideas Panel](https://ideas.flexmr.net/auth/sign_in) - [InsightHub Help Centre](https://help.flexmr.net/en) - [FlexMR Client Network](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9165407/) - ![Insights Empowerment Readiness Calculator](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/insights_calculator.png) The insights empowerment readiness calculator measures your progress in building an insight-led culture. [Get Your Score](https://resources.flexmr.net/insights-empowerment-calculator) - ![MRX Lab Podcast](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Navigation/flexmr_podcast.png) The MRX Lab podcast explores new and novel ideas from the insights industry in 10 minutes or less. [Listen Now](https://resources.flexmr.net/mrx-lab-podcast) - ### Featured Stories - [Specsavers Informs Key Marketing Decisions with InsightHub](https://resources.flexmr.net/specsavers) - [The Coventry Panel Helps Maintain Award Winning CX](https://resources.flexmr.net/coventry-building-society) - [Isagenix Customer Community Steers New Product Launch](https://resources.flexmr.net/isa-insights) - [Curo Engage Residents with InsightHub Community](https://resources.flexmr.net/curo) ![flexmr_resources](https://resources.flexmr.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Blogs/Headers/flexmr_resources.png?width=1900&name=flexmr_resources.png "flexmr_resources") # Resources ## Recent Resources - Filter By Type [Press](https://resources.flexmr.net/tag/press) # Differentiating Customer and Consumer Research in Quirk's ![Differentiating Customer and Consumer Research](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Resources/Image_Cards/Differentiating%20Customer%20and%20Consumer%20Research.png) In August 2022, Quirk's Marketing Research Review published a summary of Sophie Grieve-William's video on the core differences between customer and consumer research. In the article, you'll find an introduction to why the distinction matters to insight professionals, how to approach both forms of market research and common applications of the two data-driven activities. Originally appearing as part of the FlexMR animated insight series, Sophie explores how the terms - often used interchangeably - have a surprising amount of meaning, and the core debates that surround both. You can watch the full video in this [short blog](https://blog.flexmr.net/animated-insights-customer-vs-consumer-research) on the subject, or on the [FlexMR YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YQb6WXOrgE&t=48s). ## The Differences Explained All those in customer-facing industries know the terms customer and consumer. In certain circles those terms are used almost interchangeably, but are they really the same? Consumer research is a well-known practice that brands use to make sure they gain vital insights on those who consume their products and services. Through this consumer research, brands can fully understand the audience they are catering to and retain them by building the perfect products and services that they need. Customer communities are a common tool to use in consumer research, but only if those consumers are also the customers – and the variance here can mean the difference between success and failure for that brand. So, let’s go over this definition again: Consumers consume the product, customers buy the product. They can be the same person, which is why these terms can be and are sometimes used interchangeably, but this isn’t always the case. Customers can buy a product for someone else to consume. Consumers can consume a product bought for them by someone else who becomes the customer. #### *Consumer and Customer Insight Challenges* Conducting research on customers vs. consumers has specific challenges, some that cross over but a few that are applicable only to either customers or consumers. For example, a challenge that affects both customer and consumer research is respondent engagement – for there will always be those respondents who don’t really care to provide detail on anything asked even when they agree to take part in the research. One challenge of customer research that doesn’t impact consumer research is the tasks centered on the customer journey, figuring out pain points and devising strategies to mitigate them. A task that applies to consumer research over customer research is the product development tasks – making sure to get consumers who actually use those products to help design the next iteration with better features will be better than just asking the customers who paid for the product. To find out more about the difference between customer and consumer research, plus what it means for your insight strategy, read the full article on [Quirk's](https://www.quirks.com/articles/differentiating-customer-and-consumer-research)now. ## About Quirk's Marketing Research Media [Quirk's](https://www.quirks.com/)is the place where the best, brightest and boldest in marketing research — clients and agencies — exchange their most effective ideas. For more than 30 years, Quirk's Marketing Research Review has been providing practical applications in marketing research. The publisher's mission is to be the marketing research information source for those that conduct, coordinate and purchase research product and services. Through articles, directories, webinars, tools and other free resources, Quirk's gives insights professionals the real-world solutions they need to take their marketing research and insights capabilities to a new level of excellence. [View All Resources](https://resources.flexmr.net/) ### For press enquiries To discuss press and media enquiries please contact Christopher Martin, FlexMR CMO, by email at [chris.martin@flexmr.net](mailto:chris.martin@flexmr.net) or via telephone on 015395 65455. ### Arrange a meeting We love to meet passionate research and insight professionals. If you'd like to arrange a chat with one of our team at an event we'll be attending, contact Chris Martin by email at [chris.martin@flexmr.net](mailto:chris.martin@flexmr.net) or via telephone on 015395 65455. ### Heading ### Subscribe Want to be notified when new MRX Lab podcast episodes are published? Subscribe to receive updates and listen around the web using any of the services below. | [![Listen on Spotify](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Resources/Page_Elements/Listen%20on%20Spotify.png "Spotify")](https://open.spotify.com/show/41uzFHsnjPbOrSIxbU13Vw) | [![Listen on Anchor](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Resources/Page_Elements/Listen%20on%20Anchor.png "Anchor")](https://anchor.fm/flexmr) | [![Listen on Podbean](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Resources/Page_Elements/Listen%20on%20Podbean.png "Podbean")](https://flexmr.podbean.com/) | | --- | --- | --- | ![](https://www.flexmr.net/skin/images/images-custom/48f118ee-cef9-42d6-b60b-5575d5ac26e3-flexmr_footer.svg) - [Home](https://www.flexmr.net/) - [Contact Us](https://www.flexmr.net/contact/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.flexmr.net/legal/privacy/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.flexmr.net/legal/cookies/) - [Terms of Use](https://www.flexmr.net/legal/terms-of-use/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/flexmr/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/_flexmr) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexmr) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/FlexmrNetOnlineResearch) [![Grit Top 50 Logo](https://www.flexmr.net/uploads/photo-gallery-include-images/34/44258f4d-7452-40d6-bb23-0e220c8ba21f.png)](https://www.greenbook.org/mr/grit/business-innovation-edition) [![ISO 27001 Alcumus](https://www.flexmr.net/uploads/photo-gallery-include-images/34/fa89f9b3-d866-43b8-8de0-4a052a9053d8.png)](https://www.alcumus.com/en-gb/certification/iso-27001/) [![Cyber Essentials Plus Logo](https://www.flexmr.net/uploads/photo-gallery-include-images/34/cba57df6-75a2-4544-9599-dcc0c2f14b79.png)](https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Public_Files/Other/FlexMR_Cyber_Essentials_Certificate.pdf?__hstc=163229475.dde2c3d212762f49b059c9f62e7537a0.1624542718433.1626339489304.1626701624468.7&__hssc=163229475.2.1626701624468&__hsfp=3142549060) © FlexMR 2021. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Emily James", "url" : "https://resources.flexmr.net/author/emily-james" }, "dateModified" : "2022-08-23T12:57:16.058Z", "datePublished" : "2022-08-23T12:57:16.000Z", "headline" : "Differentiating Customer and Consumer Research in Quirk's", "image" : [ "https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Marketing_Files/Resources/Image_Cards/Differentiating%20Customer%20and%20Consumer%20Research.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://resources.flexmr.net/customer-consumer-quirks", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://resources.flexmr.net/hubfs/Website_Files/Images/Logos/flexmr_logo_amp.png" }, "name" : "FlexMR" } } ```