More Australians are asking ChatGPT, Gemini or Google's AI for a recommendation before they pick who to buy from.
A study of 1,736 Australians (The Navigators' AI Brandscape 2026, published in an Australian Centre for AI in Marketing report) found 39% had used generative AI to help choose a brand, product or service. Only 11% would let AI make the purchase decision for them.
The researchers describe it as being chosen twice. First the customer's AI puts together a shortlist, then the customer checks it and decides. If you're not on the shortlist, you don't get the second look.
What this means for your business
People still check before they buy. They look at your website, your Google listing and your reviews. So AI visibility and the basics work together, not against each other.
A quick check you can do this week
Ask ChatGPT and Google's AI Mode something like "who's the best [your service] in [your area]?". Note whether you appear, what it says about you, and which websites it seems to be drawing on.
How Ven can help
We check how AI tools describe your business, then improve the things they rely on: clear service pages, accurate business details, and up-to-date review profiles. If you'd like us to take a look, get in touch.
From Ven
Want to know what AI says about your business?
We check how ChatGPT and Google's AI describe you, then fix the pages and reviews behind it.
Also this week: Kogan's AI assistant now answers "where's my order?" and Google's Gemini is rolling out a tool that drafts posts in your brand style.