Americans’ Distrust in AI: A New Study Reveals Insights
According to a recent study, over 80% of Americans express skepticism towards AI’s output, opting instead to seek out original sources. The poll surveyed 1,200 adults in the U.S. and discovered that 86% lack trust in AI results, with 42% specifically wary of AI-generated answers, especially when the origin of the information isn’t clear.
Interestingly, people trust AI-generated search results with unclear attribution (42%) less than they trust things like medical bills (18%), confusing legal documents (17%), or even airline fares (10%).
On top of that, 75% of respondents voiced concern that a handful of companies govern what they see online. Notably, 81% believe it’s crucial that online information remains publicly accessible, rather than being hidden behind paywalls or monopolized by large corporations.
A survey commissioned by WordPress VIP and executed by Talker Research found that 75% of Americans would much prefer human interaction over AI (15%) when consulting a company’s website.
Furthermore, if they suspect they’re interacting with an AI rather than a person, 56% feel confident they can tell the difference.
When asked which companies are effectively utilizing AI for brand communication, a surprising 61% either didn’t know or couldn’t name any, while 16% felt no company does a good job with AI. It appears that only about 25% could identify a company at all.
Three out of four respondents believe the internet feels less human now compared to a decade ago. The average person estimates that around 55% of their online interactions involve AI, and similarly, they believe 54% of exchanges on company websites also involve AI.
Nearly all participants (92%) reported encountering AI or bots while using social media, with 63% stating this happens frequently. Interestingly, it only takes about 40 minutes before they begin to feel drained by the sheer volume of content generated by bots.
“Brands can’t afford to treat visibility and trust as separate issues,” says Steph Yiu, CEO of WordPress VIP. “It’s not just about being seen if people can’t discern the information source or connect with trusted brands. Businesses must create digital experiences that let them control their online appearance and foster direct relationships with their audiences. Websites are key for providing context and building trust.”
The study also questioned 800 U.S. marketing executives and digital experience professionals about their views on AI, messaging, marketing, and the open web.
Among these professionals, 74% indicated that ensuring their organization’s online content is discoverable and clearly attributed when presented by AI is a major priority. Additionally, 91% believe that content should convey a more human tone.
Nearly 39% of marketers expressed that the spread of misinformation from AI responses keeps them up at night. If websites aren’t structured for public access, 69% believe they risk being completely invisible to AI search engines.
Brian Alvey, CTO of WordPress VIP, highlighted the importance of building websites optimized for AI. If content is unreadable to AI, he warns, visibility will plummet. Even a small number of users who engage with AI-driven results may not return if the content feels impersonal or untrustworthy. He believes that the future will favor those able to balance both needs.
Research method:
This research was conducted by Talker Research, covering 800 DMs/CMOs of CMS and digital experience platforms as well as 1,200 everyday Americans with internet access. Conducted online from April 15, 2026, to April 20, 2026, the survey was commissioned by WordPress.
