# ChatGPT cites official sources over local news, study finds

Published: 2026-10-22T10:05:51.065Z · Source: Press Gazette (https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/ai-answer-engines-bypass-local-news-outlets-going-straight-to-official-sources/)
Source date: 2026-10-22
Flags: Searchable study — vendor-published
Entities: chatgpt

ChatGPT cited local news sources for just 0.9% of answers to local-topic questions — crime, planning, housing, council decisions, local events — across 30,000 prompts covering 100 UK towns, per a Searchable study reported by Press Gazette. Government and council sites supplied 81.3% of answers; on crime questions specifically, police force websites alone accounted for 57.8%. National newspapers (18.8%) were cited almost as often as local ones (21.2%), and of ChatGPT's top 20 news sources for local queries, only one — Wales Online — was a local title. Searchable CEO Chris Donnelly said ChatGPT draws on an average of 12.3 websites per query but uses only four in its reply; one in seven of its background searches goes to a local news provider, against one in three aimed at a council, police force or other official body.

Why it matters: It's a concrete, large-sample data point for a standing AEO concern — local and regional publishers may see little pickup from AI answer engines even on queries squarely in their own beat, because the engines default to primary government sources instead.

## What this answers

**Does ChatGPT cite local news outlets when answering local news questions?**

Rarely — a Searchable study of 30,000 ChatGPT prompts about 100 UK towns found local news sources in just 0.9% of answers, versus government and council sites in 81.3%.

**What sources does ChatGPT use most for local crime or council questions?**

Official government and council sites, per Searchable's study — on crime questions specifically, police force websites supplied 57.8% of ChatGPT's answers.


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