BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026
In 2026, 45% of US consumers used ChatGPT or other AI tools for local business recommendations, up from 6% one year before. Here are the key findings, and five actions for local businesses.
In short
AI tools are now the third most used source for local business recommendations in the US. People who use them also check reviews. To get chosen, a local business needs two things: AI tools that name it, and recent reviews that confirm the choice.
About the survey
BrightLocal published the Local Consumer Review Survey 2026 on February 11, 2026. The survey asked 1,002 US adults how they find and choose local businesses. BrightLocal published a second article on trust in AI recommendations on March 10, 2026. That article uses the same survey data.
Key findings on AI recommendations
- 45% of consumers used ChatGPT or other AI tools for local business recommendations. In 2025, the figure was 6%.
- AI tools are now the third most used source for business recommendations.
- Use of Google for recommendations fell to 71%, from 83% in 2025.
- 40% of consumers trust AI platforms to give business recommendations. 32% do not.
- 42% of consumers trust AI recommendations as much as online reviews.
- Among the 455 people who used AI tools for local recommendations, 63% trust those recommendations.
Key findings on reviews
- 97% of consumers read reviews for local businesses. 41% always read them, up from 29%.
- 74% only care about reviews from the last three months.
- 47% do not use a business with fewer than 20 reviews.
- 31% only use a business with a rating of 4.5 stars or higher.
- 37% say an owner response to a review matters to them.
People check what AI tells them
AI users do not trust answers without checks. BrightLocal found that 88% of AI users check AI recommendations. 97% of AI users sometimes compare AI recommendations with real reviews. 42% always check the review platforms.
This is the most important point for a local business. An AI tool can put your name in front of a customer. Your reviews then decide if the customer calls you.
What local businesses can do now
- Check what AI tools say about you. Ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Copilot the questions your customers ask. Record who they name.
- Get new reviews each month. Most consumers only care about reviews from the last three months. Old reviews do not help much.
- Get to 20 reviews or more. Almost half of consumers skip a business with fewer than 20 reviews.
- Reply to your reviews. Owner replies matter to more than one third of consumers.
- Correct your listings. Apple Maps use for recommendations rose to 27%, from 14%. Make your details match on Google, Apple Maps, Bing and local directories.
Limits of this data
The survey covers US adults only. It measures what people say they do, not what they do. The trust figures for AI users come from 455 people, which is a smaller group than the full survey. Use the numbers as a direction, not as an exact forecast for your market.
How AGEO Agency uses this research
We build AI visibility and review strength together, because customers check both. Our free AI visibility check shows what each AI tool says about your business today.
Common questions
How many consumers use AI for local business recommendations?
In BrightLocal's Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 45% of 1,002 US adults used ChatGPT or other AI tools for local business recommendations. In 2025, the figure was 6%.
Do consumers trust AI business recommendations?
BrightLocal found that 40% of consumers trust AI platforms to give business recommendations, and 32% do not. Among people who use AI tools for local recommendations, 63% trust them.
Do people check AI recommendations against reviews?
Yes. BrightLocal found that 88% of AI users check AI recommendations. 97% of AI users sometimes compare AI recommendations with real reviews.