Are Americans polite to ChatGPT? [Reality checks]

The second episode of Reality checks with Brian Reitz features Brian Snyder, Chief Innovation Officer at Axicom, seeking to understand America's appetite for AI-powered search.

"So many of us in marketing communications are talking about the inside-out perspective and what AI is going to do for all of us to make our work that much better and easier. But, a lot of times, we're not thinking about how consumer behavior changes with AI and how people are using it differently," said Snyder on Reality checks.

The survey

To uncover the reality, Brian and the YouGov team collaborated on a 10-question survey, with the help of AI in question development:

1. Please rank the following sources based on the order in which you typically use them when researching a product or service you’re unfamiliar with. (Rank 1 = the source you would use first; Rank 7= the source you would use last)
2. When you search on Google, how often do you use the AI-generated summary at the top of the results (labeled “AI Overview”)?
3. How often do you use AI (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google’s AI Overviews) to help answer everyday questions or make decisions?
4. How often do you say “please” or “thank you” when interacting with AI (like ChatGPT or Alexa)?
5. What is the most frustrating part of using AI to help you make buying decisions?
6. How likely are you to trust a product recommendation from AI?
7. How concerned are you about AI-generated content feeding you biased, misleading, or false information when researching a product or service?
8. To what extent would you trust AI to help you choose each of the following products or services? Please rank them in order of trust, with 1 being the one you trust AI the most to help you choose, and 7 being the one you trust AI the least.
9. Have you ever changed your mind about a purchase because of information provided by AI?
10. Which of the following best describes your relationship with AI today?
    

When do Americans use AI in their product research process?​

YouGov Surveys data finds Google and other search engines remain the most popular starting point for product research, with 48.4% of respondents starting their searches the newly traditional way. AI answer engines are more likely to be ranked 6th or 7th in the research process, with 33.8% and 32.2% of respondents placing them in these positions respectively.

This suggests that while AI tools are being used in product research, the reality is that for most Americans, they are not yet displacing traditional methods like search engines, brand websites, or personal recommendations.

Who's leveraging AI Overviews in their Google searches?​

When they search on Google, the majority of Americans already read or rely on AI Overviews (62%). This is especially true among Americans aged 18-29 (78% use AI Overviews) and 30-44 (75%).

Most Americans aged 65+ do not read AI overviews, with 36% not seeing them and an additional 21% choosing not to read them.

How many people say they use AI every day in 2025?

While 9% report using AI daily and 18% use it frequently (a few times a week), more Americans (33%) still say they have a significant portion have never used AI.

Per Brian Synder on Reality checks, "I don't think most people realize that they're using AI when they're watching Netflix or listening to Spotify or using Google Maps or shopping on Amazon."

The remaining respondents say they are split between occasional use of AI (21% use a few times a month) and rarely use (19% use once a month or less), indicating a diverse range of AI engagement across the surveyed population.

Who is and isn't saying 'please' and 'thanks' to their AI tools?​

While 35% of respondents say they always or often use phrases like "please" and "thank you" when interacting with AI assistants such as ChatGPT or Alexa, more than a quarter (26%) admit they never do.

The results show significant variations across demographics, with younger adults, Democrats, and frequent AI users more likely to say "please" and "thank you" to AI.

Interestingly, those who view AI as a personal assistant (55%) and Americans who have management responsibilities at their jobs (49%) have the highest proportion of any group profiled to use courteous words, while Americans aged 45-65 (19%) and Republicans (31%) are the least likely to say "please" and "thank you" when interacting with AI.