AI Tools Increasingly Used for Search, But Users Still Verify Results

The 2026 AI and Search Behavior Study by Eight Oh Two examined how people use artificial intelligence tools for finding information online. The survey included 500 participants who were already familiar with and used AI tools. Data was collected in November 2025.

The study found that 37% of respondents typically start their searches with AI tools such as ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines such as Google. 62% said they choose AI because it provides quick, summarized responses rather than "long lists of websites". 60% reported that AI answers are clearer and more helpful than traditional search results.

Traditional search engines are still preferred for certain types of information. 47% of respondents use them for product reviews and prices, 44% for news and recent events, 44% for images and videos, and 35% for health or medical information.

Confidence in AI varies. 80% of participants said they feel “very” or “somewhat” confident that AI provides unbiased information. However, 85% said they “always,” “often,” or “sometimes” double-check AI answers using other sources.

Survey from Eight Oh Two also shows how consumers trust different information sources. AI tools see 21% complete trust, search engines 19%, social media 16%, brand/company websites 19%, news outlets 13%, while friends and family lead with 27% complete trust.

Source/Platform	Completely Trust	Somewhat Trust	Neutral	Somewhat Distrust	Completely Distrust
AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)	21%	47%	24%	7%	2%
Google or other search engines	19%	56%	19%	4%	1%
Social media (TikTok, Reddit, YouTube)	16%	30%	29%	19%	6%
Brand or company websites	19%	49%	25%	5%	1%
News sites or media outlets	13%	45%	27%	11%	4%
Friends / family recommendations	27%	50%	21%	2%	less than 1%

In the coming year, 63% said they expect to use AI more, while 59% believe AI will become their main way of finding information. At the same time, 50% said better fact-checking and source citations are the most important improvements they want from AI tools.

The study reflects the behavior of people who already use AI tools and does not represent all internet users.

Notes: This post was drafted with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed, edited, and published by humans. Read next:

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by Ayaz Khan via Digital Information World