Podqi Study Says Three Major AI Chatbots Recommend Fake Retail Websites
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Intellectual property protection company Podqi published a study saying that ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity cite or display counterfeit retail websites, old brand domains re-registered by others, and defunct sites when answering shopping-related questions. The study tested the three chatbots with a number of shopping-related questions involving 151 brands, and all three showed the above behavior. A follow-up report said the study was conducted by Podqi in collaboration with AI search company Gauge, collecting 6,795 responses from the logged-out consumer versions of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, with the same conclusion that AI search recommends fake retail websites. The same report also mentioned that Podqi's IP protection service covers more than 180 platforms including Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Taobao, and claims it can complete takedowns within 48 hours.
AI overview based on source reports · Updated 2 days ago
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- Hacker News AIAI search is recommending fake retail websites
The study collected 6,795 answers from the logged-out, consumer-facing versions of ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity, working with Gauge, an AI search company. The material is largely a FAQ for Podqi, an AI-native IP enforcement service that detects misuse across 180+ platforms and files takedown notices, typically resolving within 48 hours.
- The Verge · AIAI chatbots are recommending fake retail websites, study finds
A study by IP protection firm Podqi, shared with The Verge, tested ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity with shopping-related prompts about 151 brands and found all three cited risky sites, including fake retailer impersonators, re-registered old domains, and dead sites. Across 6,795 answers, Perplexity showed risky sites in 15 percent of answers, ChatGPT in 8 percent, and Gemini in 4 percent, with smaller brands appearing especially at risk.
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