If you’re a solopreneur using AI to create content, there’s some new data you need to see and it might make you rethink how you’re using it.
In this week’s episode of Thrive Smarter, we’re diving into what consumers actually think about AI-generated content, what the numbers say, and how you can keep using AI strategically without turning your audience off.
The Data You Can’t Ignore
E-Marketer published a survey in May 2026 asking social media users worldwide what they don’t want from brands. The results are eye-opening:
- 28% want brands to clearly disclose when content is AI-generated
- 23% don’t want engagement bait tactics (think: AI-inflated follower counts, automated DMs)
- 13% dislike receiving immediate automated DMs
- 12% are turned off by brands posting too frequently
But here’s the stat that really stands out: 91% of consumers expect brands to disclose AI use in marketing, and only 35% of US consumers trust AI-generated content at all.
That’s not a small gap. That’s a trust crisis.
I Saw It on My Own Channel
I’ve been running a tech-focused YouTube channel for four years, and recently I started testing AI-generated thumbnails. The result? A dramatic drop in viewership.
Comments on AI-related videos skew negative. Audiences are noticing — and they’re voting with their clicks.
So, Should You Stop Using AI?
Not at all. The key is how you use it.
Think of AI as a powerful backstage tool, not a front-facing one. Here’s where it shines:
- Strategy & planning — Generate marketing calendars, content plans, and campaign frameworks
- SEO research — Find what your audience is searching for and build content around it
- Competitive research — See what’s working in your niche
- Rough drafts — Get a starting point, then make it your own
Where to be careful: anything consumer-facing, especially imagery. If you’re the face of your brand, AI visuals are easily detected and can erode trust fast.
The Rule I Live By
Always give yourself the final word.
Use AI to do the heavy lifting in the background, but put your human stamp on everything before it goes out. Whether it’s a caption, a blog post, or a thumbnail — your voice and perspective are what your audience connected with in the first place. Don’t outsource that.
Content Creation Tools
Over on my Tech YouTube channel, I’ve recently dropped:
- 📷 Camera recommendations for solopreneurs ready to upgrade beyond their phone
- ✂️ A text-based video editor tutorial — the tool I personally use to cut editing time significantly
And coming soon: how to create professional-looking content using just your phone — talking head videos, podcast recordings, and more
👉 Join us at community.thrivesoloco.com