Survey: Consumers Verify AI Recommendations Before Spending — Chain Store Age

Photo from Philip Oroni on Unsplash

A new survey finds growing use of AI tools for product research, but limited trust in their recommendations. While 43% of U.S. shoppers, and a majority of younger consumers, use AI assistants, most still verify suggestions through other sources, highlighting ongoing skepticism and the continued importance of reviews, experts and personal networks.

Key Takeaways

  • AI adoption rises, trust lags: While many shoppers use AI for research, only a small minority rely on it without verification, indicating limited standalone credibility.

  • Low spending confidence: Most consumers cap AI-only purchase decisions at low price points, suggesting hesitation to trust AI for higher-value transactions.

  • Traditional sources still lead: Friends, reviews and expert content remain more trusted than AI, reinforcing the need for validation across multiple channels.