{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/semrush-survey-finds-ai-chatbots-sway-half-of-users-away-from-purchase","json":"https://digestai.news/story/semrush-survey-finds-ai-chatbots-sway-half-of-users-away-from-purchase.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/semrush-survey-finds-ai-chatbots-sway-half-of-users-away-from-purchase.md","slug":"semrush-survey-finds-ai-chatbots-sway-half-of-users-away-from-purchase","headline":"Semrush survey finds AI chatbots sway half of users away from purchases","summary":"A Semrush survey of 2,338 U.S. adults shows AI chatbots have a mixed impact on buying decisions. More than half of consumers who use AI have decided not to buy something after a chatbot’s advice, and nearly 81% of shoppers who rely on chatbots for online purchases have walked away from a product because of AI guidance. At the same time, about 58% of AI users report having bought something recommended by a chatbot, indicating the technology can be equally persuasive in both directions.\n\nThe study also reveals that negative or mixed reviews shown by a chatbot make more than 74% of all consumers, and over 85% of AI users, less likely to purchase. About 59% of AI users discovered a new brand through a chatbot, while 71% believe chatbots can recommend the best brands. Only 29% of all consumers use chatbots for product research, rising to 55% among weekly AI users, and 65% say chatbots have replaced some Google searches. However, 42% of consumers dislike chatbot ads, and 66% of those say ads erode trust in AI responses.","keyPoints":["81% of shoppers using chatbots say AI guidance stopped them from buying a product, per Semrush survey of 2,338 U.S. adults.","58% of AI users both bought and rejected purchases based on chatbot recommendations, showing equal persuasive power.","42% of consumers dislike chatbot ads, and 66% of those say ads undermine trust in AI answers."],"whyItMatters":"Marketers must recognize that chatbots can both drive and deter sales, and that ad placements may erode trust, affecting brand perception and ROI.","category":{"slug":"marketing","name":"Marketing & Small Business","url":"https://digestai.news/category/marketing"},"entities":{"companies":["Semrush","MarTech","Google"],"models":[],"people":[]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-09-18T14:33:30Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-18T14:33:30Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"MarTech","title":"AI is telling consumers not to buy your product","url":"https://martech.org/ai-is-telling-consumers-not-to-buy-your-product","publishedAt":"2026-09-18T14:33:30Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"Semrush survey finds AI chatbots sway half of users away from purchases\", 18 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/semrush-survey-finds-ai-chatbots-sway-half-of-users-away-from-purchase","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"Semrush survey finds AI chatbots sway half of users away from purchases","datePublished":"2026-09-18T14:33:30Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/semrush-survey-finds-ai-chatbots-sway-half-of-users-away-from-purchase"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}