A new report from WordPress VIP has shed light on a growing trend in consumer behavior: 60% of US consumers say that brands using AI in their messaging are a turnoff. This finding comes as no surprise to those who have been following the rise of AI-generated content and its increasing presence in online search results.
The report, based on a survey of 2,000 respondents conducted in April, found that 86% of consumers don't fully trust AI answers and still want to explore original sources before acting on them. This skepticism is not limited to AI-generated content; nearly three-quarters of respondents said the internet feels "less human" than it did 10 years ago.
Background and Context
The growing use of AI in online search results has led to a shift in how brands approach their online presence. With the rise of AI-powered search engines, companies are now investing heavily in making their brand visible to these new platforms. However, this trend is not without its challenges.
As Brian Alvey, CTO of WordPress VIP, noted in a statement, "People used to build websites for other people. Now you have to build websites for AI agents acting on behalf of those people. If your site's content isn't legible to AI, you are invisible to a growing share of how people search." This highlights the need for brands to balance their online presence between human readers and machine readers.
The report found that 60% of enterprise respondents said traffic from AI search engines and answer platforms increased over the past year. However, this growth is not mirrored in consumer behavior; 86% of consumers don't fully trust AI answers and still want to explore original sources before acting on them.
Why it Matters to the Industry
The findings of this report have significant implications for adult-industry platforms and operators. As the industry continues to evolve, the use of AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, this trend raises concerns about transparency and attribution.
Adult-industry platforms must balance their need to appear human-authored with the growing demand for AI-generated content. This requires a nuanced approach to online presence, one that takes into account both human readers and machine readers. Failure to do so may result in lost traffic and revenue.
The Future of Online Presence
The report's findings point to a future where brands will have to navigate both AI visibility and human trust simultaneously. This requires a fundamental shift in how companies approach their online presence, one that prioritizes transparency and attribution.
As Alvey noted, "If your site's content doesn't feel human and trustworthy for the tiny percentage of people who actually click past the AI answer engines, they won't come back a second time." This highlights the importance of creating content that resonates with both human readers and machine readers.
Key Facts
- 60% of US consumers say brands using 'AI' in messaging are a turnoff.
- 86% of consumers don't fully trust AI answers and still want to explore original sources.
- Nearly three-quarters of respondents said the internet feels "less human" than it did 10 years ago.
- 60% of enterprise respondents said traffic from AI search engines and answer platforms increased over the past year.
- 74% of enterprise decision-makers said AI discoverability and attribution are a main or significant priority.
The findings of this report have significant implications for adult-industry platforms and operators. As the industry continues to evolve, the use of AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, this trend raises concerns about transparency and attribution.
