Study Finds ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity Recommending Fake Retail Websites

A study by IP protection firm Podqi, shared exclusively with The Verge, found that AI chatbots can direct shoppers to imposter and risky websites when they ask where to buy a brand. Researchers tested ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity over two September testing periods using shopping questions about 151 brands, both small and large. The findings point to a trust and security gap in AI-driven product research.

Why it matters: Teams building or relying on AI search and shopping features should expect brand impersonation to reach customers through chatbot answers and plan for verification and monitoring.