AI Overviews, ChatGPT beat social platforms on shopper trust

AI tools now lengthen the purchase decision for 42% of US shoppers who say they research more before buying, per an RTB House survey of 1,840 US and international consumers fielded in June and July 2026. Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT each scored 43% trust among US respondents — ahead of TikTok, Instagram and influencers, though still below friends and family at 59%. Only 35% of shoppers said they want to approve a purchase before an AI agent completes it, and US millennials’ comfort with a $250 AI-agent spend fell from 42% to 34% once a return guarantee was removed.