Artificial intelligence is becoming an everyday shopping companion, helping consumers research products, compare options and make decisions. But as AI plays a larger role in product discovery, with nearly three-quarters of consumers using general-purpose AI assistants for shopping-related decisions, brands and AI platforms face a growing challenge: delivering recommendations consumers view as credible and trustworthy.
Ahead of the first IAB CreatorFronts, Interactive Advertising Bureau, the leading trade association for the digital advertising industry, released new global research examining how consumers value creator perspectives in AI-generated shopping recommendations. The study surveyed 2,200 consumers who have used AI for shopping-related research in the past three months, spanning the U.S., U.K., Australia, Mexico and India.
The findings reveal a clear opportunity for AI platforms to bring trusted creator perspectives into the shopping experience. More than half of consumers (56%) prefer AI-generated shopping recommendations that incorporate creator or influencer perspectives, while 65% say they are more confident in AI recommendations when those recommendations are informed by credible creator reviews.
"AI is reshaping how consumers discover and evaluate products, but as these tools become a more influential part of the shopping journey, trust will be a critical differentiator," said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. "Creator perspectives can help strengthen confidence in AI-generated recommendations by bringing credible human voices into the experience. That's an important opportunity for the industry to embrace as AI continues to reshape commerce."
The appetite for creator-informed AI is particularly strong among younger generations. About 65% of Gen Z and Millennials prefer AI recommendations that incorporate creator perspectives, compared with 53% of Gen X and 34% of Boomers. Among Gen Z, creator reviews incorporated into AI recommendations are nearly as influential as brand or advertiser information, at 27% versus 29% respectively.
Creators are also increasingly being discovered through AI itself. Half of Gen Z and Millennials have discovered creators through AI, and nearly three in four say creator-backed recommendations increase their confidence in AI shopping advice.
Consumers are not simply looking for AI to surface the biggest names. The research finds that authenticity and expertise are key drivers of creator trust. The most trusted creator types are everyday consumers at 52%, professional reviewers at 43%, and subject-matter experts at 37%. Top factors that make a creator trustworthy enough for AI to rely on are credibility 46%, consistency 40%, expertise 36%, and independence from brands and sponsorship transparency 34%.
"What we're seeing is that with AI shopping, consumers don't just want the recommendation. They want real-world experience and expertise behind the guidance," said Jack Koch, SVP, Research & Insights at IAB. "Our research shows that trusted creator perspectives can increase confidence in AI-generated recommendations, creating an opportunity for platforms to bring more authentic human expertise into the shopping experience."
Eighty percent of consumers are comfortable relying on AI recommendations, creating new opportunities for creator content to play a role throughout the shopping journey. Consumers see the greatest value in creator-informed AI recommendations when finding the best value at 38%, discovering products at 32%, comparing options at 31% and summarizing product information at 31%.
Creator-Informed AI resonates across markets. Among consumers who have used AI tools for shopping research, those in India and Mexico place the greatest value on creator-informed shopping experiences. Among Western markets, the U.S. is the most creator-receptive, while the U.K. is generally the most cautious. Across all markets, the foundation of creator value is consistent: expertise, authenticity, and real-world product experience.
About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns.
