Online Health Information–Seeking in the Era of Large Language Models: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Study

Although traditional online sources remain dominant, LLM-based chatbots are emerging as a resource for health information for some users, specifically those who are younger and have a higher trust in AI. The perceived quality and trustworthiness of health information varied little across source types. However, the adherence to health information from LLM-based chatbots seemed more cautious compared to search engines or health-related websites. As LLMs continue to evolve, enhancing their accuracy and transparency will be essential in mitigating any potential risks by supporting responsible information-seeking while maximizing the potential of AI in health contexts.