SMBs remain wary of AI crawlers due to intellectual property risks and loss of brand control.

A new Clutch survey shows a disconnect: 60% say AI search tools like ChatGPT and Gemini boost revenue, yet most still block the AI crawlers behind them. As AI reshapes how consumers find businesses, small businesses face both opportunity and risk.

The Benefits of AI Search

Many small businesses benefit from AI-powered search and chatbots, with 44% reporting more leads, 42% more website traffic, and 33% more inquiries. For those struggling with traditional search, AI offers new ways to stand out locally. Despite referral traffic concerns, small businesses are gaining visibility, suggesting AI search may level the playing field.

“For small businesses, AI search is a double-edged sword,” said Hannah Hicklen, who oversees tech content at Clutch. “It can drive visibility and growth, but only if companies embrace the technology rather than block it.”

The Risks of AI Crawlers

Risk remains a major concern. More than half of small businesses block AI crawlers, mainly over content ownership and intellectual property, which 43% cited. Others worry about brand misrepresentation, and 16% reported unauthorized scraping of proprietary content in the past year. Bot traffic is also a problem, with 71% experiencing performance issues like slower website speeds and disrupted content.

Adapting to the AI Search Era

Many small businesses are balancing visibility and control: over 60% report AI has positively impacted their business, however 57% still choose to restrict access. Cloudflare’s pay per crawl model appeals to 68% as a way to block scraping and protect content.

Still, 73% plan to revisit their policies within the year. As AI transforms search, small businesses must act or risk falling behind. The full report is available on Clutch.

About Clutch

Clutch empowers better business decisions as the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers. More than 1 million business leaders start at Clutch each month to read in-depth client interviews and discover trusted agency partners to meet their business needs. Clutch has been honored for the past eight consecutive years as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company and by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 50 fastest-growing private companies in the DC metro area for 2023.

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