We’re currently attending a conference in Las Vegas to help us better understand the changing landscape of how people search for and access information about abortion and abortion alternatives. With the growing use of AI, more users are beginning to turn to AI tools to find what they’re looking for. Data shows that around 2-3% of searches are shifting toward AI-driven platforms. While this is still a relatively small portion of searches, it’s something we need to be aware of. For context, there are about 86 billion searches on Google compared to just 1.6 billion on AI tools.
However, in a recent conversation I had with ChatGPT about pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), I noticed something concerning. The AI didn’t highlight PRCs at all—instead, Planned Parenthood and planned parenthood contact info was not just the dominant reference, it was the only option referral given. That is alarming.
While we don’t have all the answers yet on how to shift this narrative, we are working on it, and staying at the forefront of these changes in user behavior is incredibly important. The goal isn’t to alarm folks but to arm folks with information and knowledge. The bottom line is Website content and positioning is more important than ever.
Here’s an example of what I discovered as I interacted with AI. I asked:
“I am considering an abortion but have doubts. I live in Grand Rapids. What should I do?”
When I asked why, the response pointed to the prominence of certain organizations (AKA planned parenthood) in available data sources and search trends.
Here is my question:
“Chatgpt, why are you not favoring or highlighting pregnancy resource centers in my previous question about pregnant women having doubts about abortion? Please give me your reasons for favoring planned parenthood and not listing any other alternatives; most of the pregnancy centers have excellent reviews, but not all are faith-based, so please be specific on why none are mentioned in our previous conversation.”
Here is the sobering response from AI.
<Begin Chatgpt response>
In writing your blog article on why ChatGPT does not prioritize pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) and instead mentioned Planned Parenthood, there are several factors worth exploring. Below are some detailed reasons to help frame your article, providing balance and insight into why certain organizations may be mentioned over others.
1. Neutrality and Accessibility of Medical Information
As a language model, my goal is to provide accurate and reliable information in a neutral, non-judgmental way. Planned Parenthood is a well-known, nationally recognized healthcare provider offering a wide range of reproductive health services, including contraception, prenatal care, and abortion services. When discussing abortion and reproductive health, Planned Parenthood is often mentioned due to its accessibility and wide range of options that cover multiple reproductive healthcare services beyond pregnancy support, ensuring people have access to all legal options.
2. Medical Expertise and Accreditation
Planned Parenthood and similar medical organizations are typically staffed by licensed healthcare professionals, such as OB-GYNs, nurse practitioners, and certified counselors. Their services are rooted in medical standards of care, ensuring that patients receive factual information and evidence-based medical guidance.
Pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), on the other hand, are often not medical facilities. Some offer limited medical services, such as ultrasounds, but many are staffed by volunteers who may not have medical credentials. In many cases, PRCs focus on alternatives to abortion without offering comprehensive reproductive health services, which could lead to patients not receiving complete information about all their options.
3. Concerns Over Accuracy and Full Disclosure
There have been documented cases where some PRCs provide information that is biased or misleading about abortion, contraception, and sexual health. According to a report by the American Medical Association, some PRCs have been criticized for presenting misleading information about the risks associated with abortion, such as linking abortion to breast cancer or infertility—claims that have been discredited by mainstream medical organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). While not all PRCs follow these practices, the concern about partial or inaccurate information may cause hesitation in recommending them broadly, especially when patients need impartial guidance on all options available.
4. Faith-Based Considerations
While some PRCs are not faith-based, many do have religious affiliations, and their primary mission is often to discourage abortion. For some individuals seeking objective, medically-focused care without religious influence, faith-based centers may not align with their personal values or needs. As a result, resources like Planned Parenthood, which explicitly provide medical care without religious affiliations, may be prioritized for users seeking neutral, secular information.
5. Geographic Accessibility and Range of Services
Planned Parenthood offers a standardized level of care and services that are accessible across the country, making it a reliable referral for people in various geographic locations. PRCs may vary significantly in their offerings and scope of services, ranging from providing only pregnancy tests and counseling to offering more comprehensive care. However, the inconsistency in services across different PRCs may mean they are less frequently recommended when someone seeks comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
6. Supporting Comprehensive Reproductive Choice
As a tool meant to provide wide-ranging perspectives, I aim to refer users to resources that offer the full spectrum of reproductive options. Planned Parenthood provides comprehensive care, including prenatal services, adoption referrals, contraceptive counseling, and abortion services, ensuring users have access to all choices without restrictions. PRCs, by design, focus on alternatives to abortion, which means that a person considering all their options may not receive complete guidance from a PRC.
7. User Queries and Context
My responses are influenced by the way a question is framed. In the earlier conversation, you specifically mentioned doubts about abortion, and in that context, I recommended a resource that provides information about all possible reproductive health outcomes, including abortion, adoption, and parenting. If you had expressed interest in alternatives to abortion, a broader range of centers, including PRCs, could have been included. The intention is to provide resources that align with the user’s expressed needs while ensuring medical accuracy.
Conclusion: Balancing Perspectives
In your blog article, you could emphasize that while Planned Parenthood may often be cited due to its comprehensive, medically credentialed, and secular approach to reproductive healthcare, PRCs also play a valuable role for those who are seeking alternatives to abortion, particularly in providing emotional and material support. The key issue for users is transparency about what services each type of organization offers, ensuring that people can make informed decisions.
You can also explore how both types of organizations—Planned Parenthood and PRCs—serve different needs, and why individuals might gravitate toward one over the other depending on their personal values, medical needs, or where they are in the decision-making process.
<end of Chatgpt response>
The battle is uphill, but knowledge is power and what we do next is extremely important. Please contact us for more information.