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Audience · 2026 reader survey

Who reads the Carbon network

Developers who write the code, pick their own tools and move fast. Here is what 473 readers told us.

77%
are developers who write the code
82%
use AI tools in their development work
68%
introduced or recommended a new paid tool at work last year
44%
adopt a new tool within a week of hearing of it

Shares of readers who answered our 2026 survey, fielded Apr–Jul 2026. How we ran it

01 · Where do Carbon ads run?

Where they read us

On over 350 active, hand-picked sites that developers and designers use while they work: framework docs, developer tools, design resources and AI tools.

  • Developer Tools & InfraOnline tools, DevOps and backend references, language docs.38%
  • Frontend & FrameworksFramework docs, component libraries, CSS references.33%
  • Design & CreativeIcons, color, photography and design resources.17%
  • AI & EmergingAI tools and the communities building with them.12%

02 · Who reads Carbon Ads sites?

Builders, not browsers

Mostly developers who write the code: 77% of readers who answered our 2026 survey work as full-stack, backend, frontend, mobile or DevOps developers.

77 build itFull-stack 36 · Backend 17 · Frontend 13 · Mobile 9 · DevOps 2
13 shape itProduct manager 6 · UI/UX designer 3 · Data scientist 3 · Founder or executive 1
The restStudents and other roles
“Which of the following best describes your primary role?” 464 respondents, one role each. Shares are rounded, so they sum to about 100.
  • 38% 0–2 years
  • 21% 3–5
  • 16% 6–10
  • 7% 11–15
  • 18% 15+
“How many years of professional experience do you have?” 445 respondents.

03 · Do they choose the tools their team pays for?

They bring tools in

Often: 68% of readers who answered our 2026 survey introduced or recommended at least one new paid tool at work in the past year, and 25% three or more. 69% work at companies of 50 people or fewer, 31% at larger ones and 12% at companies over 500.

  • None32%
  • 1–243%
  • 3–515%
  • 6+10%
“In the past 12 months, how many new paid tools have you introduced or recommended at work?” 449 respondents.
  • 69% 1–50 people
  • 13% 51–200
  • 6% 201–500
  • 12% 501+
“How big is your company?” 460 respondents.

04 · How fast do they adopt a new tool?

From first look to adopted, fast

Fast: 44% of readers who answered our 2026 survey go from first hearing of a tool to using or buying it within a week, and 73% within a month.

  • 16% Same day
  • 28% Within a week
  • 29% 1–4 weeks
  • 14% 1–3 months
  • 13% 3+ months
“From first awareness to adoption or purchase, how long?” 446 respondents.

05 · Where do they learn about new tools?

They learn in the docs

Documentation sites first: 66% of readers who answered our 2026 survey named them, ahead of YouTube at 55%.

  • Documentation sites66%
  • YouTube55%
  • Communities (Reddit, Discord)33%
  • Blogs32%
  • Newsletters15%
  • Conferences14%
“Where do you primarily go to learn about new tools, frameworks, or best practices?” 448 respondents, more than one answer allowed.
  • GitHub62%
  • Reddit28%
  • Stack Overflow24%
  • LinkedIn22%
  • Discord20%
  • X/Twitter18%
“Which online developer communities are you most active in?” 473 respondents, more than one answer allowed.

06 · Do they use AI tools?

AI is already in the workflow

Yes: 82% of readers who answered our 2026 survey use AI tools in their development work, 60% regularly and 22% experimentally.

  • 60% Yes, regularly
  • 22% Yes, experimentally
  • 9% No, but evaluating
  • 10% No
“Are you currently using AI-powered tools in your development workflow?” 459 respondents.

07 · What kind of ad gets their attention?

Show, don’t tell

An offer they can try or learn from: 51% of readers who answered our 2026 survey named free trials and 50% educational content and demos.

  • Free trial offers51%
  • Educational content and demos50%
  • Community endorsements34%
  • Case studies31%
  • Product comparisons30%
“What type of promotional content is most likely to get your attention?” 447 respondents, more than one answer allowed.

For your ad

Lead with something they can try or learn from, and back it with names other developers know. A trial or a demo does more here than a claim.

49% say they’ve found a tool they now use through an ad on a developer site or newsletter. Read it as an upper bound: everyone surveyed reached the survey through a Carbon placement.

How we ran it

The 2026 reader survey

Earlier results: 2024 audience snapshot

Reach these readers where they work

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