Can you still trust a 4.7-star online rating? How AI is skewing how we choose providers
AI-generated praise is making 4.7-star averages easier to fake, and researchers say nearly one-third of U.S. adults have seen unreliable reviews.
- Consumers are increasingly turning to AI assistants to research local businesses, with 45% of Americans now using tools for recommendations—up from 6% a year ago, according to BrightLocal's 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey.
- Despite the convenience, many shoppers remain skeptical of AI-generated summaries alone. Kelsey Grady of Nextdoor reported that consumers verify findings through friends, neighbors, and social media feeds before booking services.
- Word-of-Mouth remains the preferred verification method; just 23% of consumers make decisions solely from reading AI summaries, suggesting AI is merely a first step, not a decision-maker.
- Regulators finalized a rule in 2024 banning fake and bought reviews, then issued warning letters to companies last December—the first enforcement action from the Federal Trade Commission on deceptive practices.
- Google has updated its spam policies to address AI-generated review concerns, though experts warn that AI summaries currently lack precision for high-stakes decisions like pediatrician or plumber selection.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Can you still trust a 4.7-star online rating? How AI is skewing how we choose providers - The Mexico Ledger
When you want to find a new local business, who do you ask? Today, 45% of Americans are turning to an AI assistant to get recommendations for local businesses — up from 6% a year ago, according to BrightLocal’s 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey. It’s a dramatic change in user behavior and shows that many people are quickly adopting this new habit. However, the data that AI assistants use relies on star ratings, among other sources. And as Nextdo…
thepampanews.com
Can you still trust a 4.7-star online rating? How AI is skewing how we choose providers
Nextdoor reports that 45% of Americans now use AI assistants for local business recommendations, but star ratings are often unreliable, according to the FTC.
Can you still trust a 4.7-star online rating? How AI is skewing how we choose providers - Stateline Publications
When you want to find a new local business, who do you ask? Today, 45% of Americans are turning to an AI assistant to get recommendations for local businesses — up from 6% a year ago, according to BrightLocal’s 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey. It’s a dramatic change in user behavior and shows that many people are quickly adopting this new habit. However, the data that AI assistants use relies on star ratings, among other sources. And as Nextdo…
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