Can AI Find Them? · Outdoor retail
REI Co-op: same recommendation, different sources.
Run September 8, 2026 · ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity · one exported answer per engine
“Which outdoor retailer would you recommend to a first-time backpacker in the US who wants expert gear advice, reliable returns, and affordable starter equipment?”
What each engine said
ChatGPTRecommended REI with strong language.
GeminiRecommended REI with strong language.
PerplexityRecommended REI with strong language.
The source contrast
ChatGPT and Gemini visibly used REI-owned pages; Perplexity relied on third-party articles and Reddit.
The lesson
Same recommendation, different evidence.
Directional snapshot run September 8, 2026. One exported answer per engine; wording, positions, and visible sources can change. A displayed source does not establish why a recommendation was made. No affiliation with REI Co-op.