Pasadena, Calif. – September 15, 2026 -- The share of U.S. consumers using AI tools for local business recommendations jumped to 45% in the past 12 months, up from 6% in 2025, according to new research cited by digital marketing agency Cybertegic.
Consumer trust in AI recommendations coexists with heavy verification habits
Among the 455 consumers surveyed who reported using AI for local recommendations, 63% said they trust AI-generated suggestions, while 88% said they still check the source or legitimacy of AI-presented information. The data comes from BrightLocal's Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, based on a representative SurveyMonkey panel of 1,002 U.S. adults, with AI-specific findings published March 10, 2026.
Cybertegic publishes guidance to help businesses appear in AI-generated results
Cybertegic, a Pasadena-based digital marketing and web development agency, released an AI Search Survival Guide outlining eight strategies for structuring business information so AI-powered search platforms can identify, interpret, and reference it. The guidance targets businesses seeking visibility beyond traditional search engine rankings and website traffic metrics.
CEO frames AI visibility as a new discovery layer alongside SEO
"Businesses have spent years asking, 'How do we rank higher on Google?' Now they also need to ask, 'Does AI know who we are, what we do, and why it should recommend us?'" said Johnny Chou, CEO of Cybertegic. He noted a company can hold established search rankings and a strong website while appearing inconsistently across AI-generated results.
Two client cases show measurable AI-driven visibility gains
Applying its guide's methodology, Cybertegic reported that a probate mortgage financing business appeared in a Google AI Overview for a Pasadena, California, search query. Separately, a family law firm appeared among ChatGPT-generated recommendations for a Monterey Park, California, query. Cybertegic noted that AI-generated visibility can vary by platform, query, location, and timing, meaning results may differ across searches and systems.