Louisiana Shoppers Are Asking AI, But Checking Twice 

Louisiana shoppers may be using artificial intelligence to help decide what to buy, but that does not mean they are ready to trust it blindly. A new consumer survey from Idea Grove found that more than 40% of people surveyed have used ChatGPT for product recommendations. The catch is that almost everyone still wants proof before pulling out a debit card. 

AI Is Becoming the Starting Point 

For years, shoppers started with Google, Amazon reviews, Facebook groups, or a quick text to a friend. Now, AI is becoming part of that same routine. 

Someone in Shreveport might ask ChatGPT for the best plumber, the most reliable used SUV, the safest hair dryer, or the best restaurant for a birthday dinner. That answer may narrow the search, but it usually does not end the search. 

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Scott Baradell, CEO of the Dallas marketing firm Idea Grove, said the survey showed a clear pattern. More people are using AI to discover brands and products, yet “98%” said they would not buy from an unfamiliar brand based only on that recommendation. 

Trust Still Has to Be Earned 

That should matter to local businesses. AI may help customers find you, but it cannot do the whole job. Shoppers still want reviews, real websites, clear information, and signs that other people have had a good experience. 

Baradell called these “trust signals.” That includes positive reviews, media mentions, awards, testimonials, search visibility, and personal recommendations. In plain English, people want evidence. 

For Shreveport businesses, that means the old basics still count. Answer the phone. Keep your website updated. Ask happy customers for reviews. Make sure your hours, services, prices, and contact information are easy to find. 

Local Recommendations Still Matter 

One of the most interesting parts of this shift is that AI has not replaced word of mouth. It may actually make word of mouth more important. A shopper might ask AI for a list, then check Google reviews, then ask friends on Facebook who they trust. 

That is especially true in a local market like Shreveport-Bossier, where people still care who their neighbor used, who showed up on time, and who treated them fairly. 

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AI can be useful, but it should not be treated like a final answer. Use it to compare options, spot patterns, and ask better questions. Like President Ronald Reagan said about Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987... "Trust, but verify." 

That extra step may be the difference between finding a great local business and trusting a recommendation that sounded better than it really was.