Gallup announced it will stop tracking presidential approval ratings after nearly nine decades, ending one of the most widely cited measures of public opinion about U.S. presidents.
The public opinion polling organization confirmed this week that the decision reflects a shift in its research priorities and is not tied to political pressure or outside influence. The move will also include ending Gallup’s measurement of favorability ratings for individual political figures as the company adjusts its focus to broader research initiatives.
Gallup said the change represents an evolution in how the organization approaches public research and thought leadership. The company plans to continue studying social, economic and political trends through its other research programs, including the Gallup Poll Social Series, its World Poll and its quarterly business research.
Presidential approval ratings have long served as a key barometer of public sentiment toward the nation’s chief executive. Gallup first began tracking presidential approval during the administration of President Harry Truman in the 1940s, establishing a standard that has been widely cited by policymakers, media organizations and researchers.
The surveys measured Americans’ views of a president’s job performance and were regularly used to gauge political momentum, public reaction to policy decisions and shifts in voter sentiment. The ratings often influenced political strategy and shaped media coverage of presidential administrations.
Gallup officials said their research will continue to focus on long-term trends affecting people’s lives, including economic conditions, public confidence in institutions and global public opinion. The organization emphasized its commitment to maintaining methodologically sound research while adapting to changes in the public policy and research landscape.
The announcement comes at a time when public trust in institutions and polling has faced increased scrutiny in recent years. Gallup did not provide a specific timeline for when presidential approval tracking will officially end but confirmed the longstanding measure will be discontinued.
The decision marks the end of one of the most recognizable indicators of presidential performance in modern political history, closing a chapter that spanned multiple administrations and decades of American public opinion research.
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