Industry
60% of US consumers say 'AI' in brand messaging is a turnoff, survey finds
Tags AI · Consumer
TechCrunch·
A WordPress VIP survey of US consumers found that 60% of respondents said the presence of 'AI' in brand messaging makes them less likely to engage with a product or service. The finding comes as companies increasingly view AI search as a critical referral channel, creating a tension between SEO optimization and consumer perception. The survey suggests AI-washing in marketing is producing diminishing returns.
Technical significance
The consumer backlash against AI-branded messaging suggests the market is entering a post-hype phase where AI features are expected rather than differentiating. Companies will need to communicate AI capabilities through outcomes rather than labels.