About one-third of Americans say they get health information from social media, while a smaller but growing share turn to artificial intelligence chatbots, according to an April 7 analysis from Pew Research Center.
The findings, based on a survey of 5,111 adults conducted in October 2025, highlight how digital platforms are reshaping where people seek health advice, even as concerns about accuracy persist.
Here are seven key findings from the analysis:
- Roughly 36% of U.S. adults report using social media for health information at least sometimes, compared with 22% who say the same about AI chatbots. Both sources trail more traditional avenues such as healthcare providers (85%) and major health websites (60%).
- Users of both social media and AI chatbots are more likely to describe these tools as convenient rather than reliable. For example, 40% of social media users say health information on those platforms is highly convenient, but only 7% consider it highly accurate.
- Similarly, about half of chatbot users say the information is convenient, and 41% say it is easy to understand. However, opinions on accuracy are mixed, with slightly more users saying chatbot information is not accurate than those who say it is.
- Younger adults are more likely than older Americans to use both sources. About 52% of adults under 30 say they get health information from social media at least sometimes, compared with 21% of those 65 and older. For AI chatbots, about 32% of adults ages 18 to 29 report using them for health information, versus 10% of those 65 and older.
- The report also found disparities tied to income and insurance status. Americans without health insurance are somewhat more likely to rely on social media and chatbots for health information than those with coverage.
- Despite their accessibility, both platforms fall short on personalization. A majority of social media users — 59% — say the health information they encounter is not personalized, while 47% of chatbot users say the same.
- There is also significant overlap between the two groups: 61% of people who use AI chatbots for health information also report using social media for the same purpose.
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