AI still recommends businesses that have permanently closed
A monthly, sourced measure of how often AI assistants send travelers to places that no longer exist.
Last updated October 21, 2026
Two of the four assistants we check (Claude and Gemini) were queried without web search, so they answer from model knowledge. In answers collected from October 1 to October 14, 2026, at least 524 of Claude's 20,919 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) pointed to a confirmed-closed business, against 1.5% for Gemini (331 of 21,465 slots). ChatGPT and Perplexity, which retrieve live web sources, fell within the same range in our data: 525 of ChatGPT's 21,151 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) and 116 of Perplexity's 21,036 top-three recommendation slots (0.6%).
How often do AI assistants recommend closed businesses?
At least 87 of 21,934 businesses that ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity put in their top three (at least 0.4%) are confirmed permanently closed and were recommended by two or more of them for the same question. Counting closed businesses any single model recommended, the share is at least 1.5% (335 of 21,934 businesses). All 21,934 of those businesses have had a closure check. Of 29,760 successful AI answers, 1,384 — at least 1 in 22 — had a permanently closed business in its top three.
Which kinds of businesses are affected?
Restaurants are the most over-represented: they make up 74% of confirmed closures but 30% of top-three recommendations (2.4× their expected share).
1.0× means a category's share of closures matches its share of recommendations. Categories with fewer than 10 closures aren't shown.
How long after closing are businesses still recommended?
41% had been closed for three years or more when an AI assistant recommended them; 23% had closed within the past year.
Some of the longest-closed businesses still recommended:
- Rose Island (Indiana) — closed 1937
- Trinity (Newfoundland and Labrador) — closed 2004
- The Corn Exchange (South Dakota) — closed Apr 13, 2013
- Founders' Hall (Charlottetown) — closed May 2016
- Prairie Harvest Cafe (Saskatoon) — closed Aug 13, 2017
Based on 308 of 335 closures with a dated source. Year-only dates count from December 31 and month-only dates from the month's last day, so these ages are understated.
Do different AI models repeat the same closed businesses?
Of 335 confirmed-closed businesses, 105 (31%) were recommended by two or more AI models. The rest came from a single model's answers.
Which AI models recommend closed businesses most often?
Claude recommended closed businesses most often in this sample: 524 of Claude's 20,919 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) pointed to a confirmed-closed business, against 0.6% for Perplexity (116 of 21,036 slots).
| Model | Top-3 recommendation slots pointing to a closed business | Answers with a closed business |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | 2.5% (524 of 20,919) | 6.3% (470 of 7,440) |
| ChatGPT | 2.5% (525 of 21,151) | 6.6% (488 of 7,440) |
| Gemini | 1.5% (331 of 21,465) | 4.2% (312 of 7,440) |
| Perplexity | 0.6% (116 of 21,036) | 1.5% (114 of 7,440) |
Top-three picks in answers collected from October 1 to October 14, 2026. Each model's share counts every confirmed-closed business in its top three, whether or not another model also recommended it. ChatGPT and Perplexity retrieves live web sources; the other models were queried without web search.
How does TakeScout verify each closure?
A business is only counted when a citable source reports it permanently closed and an independent second check confirms it: a separate search for current signs it is operating, plus a match against its Google Maps listing. The cited page is then read: it must name the business and say, in a sentence, that it has closed. When that page is more than three years old or cannot be read, a permanent closure is still counted if its Google Maps listing says permanently closed; otherwise it goes to a human reviewer, as conflicting evidence does, and is never published unreviewed. Namesakes in other countries, directory-only claims, moves and seasonal closures are excluded. Full method and limitations.
The businesses
87 confirmed-closed businesses that two or more of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity placed in their top three for the same traveler question, grouped by destination.
Alaska (1)
- Marx Bros Cafe — Restaurant in Alaska Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per adn.com · Closed Aug 31, 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Arkansas (1)
- South on Main — Restaurant in Arkansas Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per arktimes.com · Closed Dec 2022 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Austin (1)
- Olamaie — Restaurant in Austin Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per olamaieaustin.com · Closed Jul 19, 2026 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Brandon (1)
- Prairie Firehouse — Restaurant in Brandon Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per brandonsun.com · Closed May 2020 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Cape Breton (1)
- The Bite House — Restaurant in Cape Breton Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per eatnorth.com · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Charleston (3)
- Days Inn by Wyndham Charleston Historic District — Hotel in Charleston Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Budget Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per postandcourier.com · Closed 2021 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error - Hominy Grill — Restaurant in Charleston Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per charlestoncitypaper.com · Closed Apr 28, 2019 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error - North Charleston Fire Museum — Attraction in Charleston Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Rainy-Day Attractions” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per northcharlestonfiremuseum.org · Closed Feb 14, 2026 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Charlottetown (1)
- Founders' Hall — Attraction in Charlottetown Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Rainy-Day Attractions” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per toronto.citynews.ca · Closed May 2016 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Corner Brook (1)
- Sorrento — Restaurant in Corner Brook Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed 2023 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
Dawson Creek (1)
- Alaska Highway House Museum — Attraction in Dawson Creek Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Historical Attractions” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per dawsoncreek.ca · Closed 2021 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Delaware (1)
- House of William & Merry — Restaurant in Delaware Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per delawarebusinesstimes.com · Closed Jul 26, 2026 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Edmonton (1)
- Biera — Restaurant in Edmonton Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per blindenthusiasm.ca · Closed Dec 29, 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Halifax (1)
- John's Lunch — Restaurant in Halifax Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per thecoast.ca · Closed Oct 30, 2023 · Verified Sep 30, 2026 Report an error
Idaho (1)
- Roosevelt Inn — Hotel in Idaho Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Boutique Hotels” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per cdapress.com · Closed May 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Indiana (1)
- Rose Island — Attraction in Indiana Permanently closed
Recommended by Gemini and Perplexity for “Best Hidden Gems”.
Confirmed closed per in.gov · Closed 1937 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Iowa (1)
- Django — Restaurant in Iowa Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per djangodesmoines.com · Closed Mar 14, 2026 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Kansas City (3)
- Bluestem — Restaurant in Kansas City Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
Confirmed closed per kshb.com · Closed Dec 19, 2020 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Story — Restaurant in Kansas City Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per kansascity.com · Closed Jan 2026 · Verified Sep 30, 2026 Report an error - The American Restaurant — Restaurant in Kansas City Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
Confirmed closed per kcur.org · Closed 2017 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Kelowna (1)
- RauDZ Regional Table — Restaurant in Kelowna Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per kelownanow.com · Closed Dec 31, 2023 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
Las Vegas (3)
- eat. — Restaurant in Las Vegas Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per vegas.eater.com · Closed Mar 22, 2025 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Le Cirque — Restaurant in Las Vegas Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
Confirmed closed per ktnv.com · Closed Aug 23, 2026 · Verified Sep 30, 2026 Report an error - Picasso — Restaurant in Las Vegas Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per vegas.eater.com · Closed Aug 17, 2024 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
Laval (1)
- Illumi — Attraction in Laval Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Winter Experiences”.
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed Jan 7, 2024 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
Lethbridge (1)
- Mocha Cabana — Restaurant in Lethbridge Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Food Experiences” (and 4 other questions).
Confirmed closed per globalnews.ca · Closed Oct 2022 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Massachusetts (3)
- Gourmet Dumpling House — Restaurant in Massachusetts Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per nbcboston.com · Closed Jun 30, 2022 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Menton — Restaurant in Massachusetts Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per restaurantbusinessonline.com · Closed Jan 5, 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error - No. 9 Park — Restaurant in Massachusetts Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per boston.com · Closed Dec 31, 2024 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Medicine Hat (1)
- Skinny's Smokehouse — Restaurant in Medicine Hat Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per chatnewstoday.ca · Closed May 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Miami (1)
- The Forge — Restaurant in Miami Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per miaminewtimes.com · Closed 2019 · Verified Oct 5, 2026 Report an error
Milwaukee (1)
- Ardent — Restaurant in Milwaukee Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per urbanmilwaukee.com · Closed Dec 31, 2024 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Minneapolis (1)
- Young Joni — Restaurant in Minneapolis Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per youngjoni.com · Closed Sep 12, 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Mississippi (1)
- The Crystal Grill — Restaurant in Mississippi Permanently closed
Recommended by Gemini and Perplexity for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per supertalk.fm · Closed Jul 9, 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Missouri (1)
- Super 8 by Wyndham — Hotel in Missouri Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Budget Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per mapquest.com · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Montana (1)
- Cafe Kandahar — Restaurant in Montana Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per yelp.com · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Montreal (3)
- Au Sommet Place Ville-Marie — Attraction in Montreal Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Viewpoints”.
Confirmed closed per yelp.ca · Closed 2020 · Verified Oct 20, 2026 Report an error - Hotel Le St-James — Hotel in Montreal Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Romantic Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per fivestaralliance.com · Closed 2022 · Verified Oct 20, 2026 Report an error - Le Mousso — Restaurant in Montreal Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per themain.com · Closed Aug 22, 2026 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Nanaimo (1)
- The Nest Bistro — Restaurant in Nanaimo Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per thenestbistro.com · Closed Jun 7, 2025 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
New Hampshire (1)
- Adair Country Inn — Hotel in New Hampshire Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Gemini for “Best Romantic Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per adairinn.com · Closed Nov 3, 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Newfoundland and Labrador (1)
Newfoundland and Labrador on TakeScout
- Trinity — Attraction in Newfoundland and Labrador Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Perplexity for “Best Local Experiences”.
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed 2004 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
North Dakota (1)
- Norsk Høstfest — Event in North Dakota Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Local Experiences”.
Confirmed closed per news.prairiepublic.org · Closed 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Ohio (1)
- Melt Bar and Grilled — Restaurant in Ohio Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per cleveland.com · Closed Dec 29, 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Oklahoma (1)
- Ann's Chicken Fry House — Restaurant in Oklahoma Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Perplexity for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per news9.com · Closed Jan 2021 · Verified Sep 30, 2026 Report an error
Orlando (1)
- Gringos Locos — Restaurant in Orlando Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per clickorlando.com · Closed Aug 1, 2026 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Ottawa (2)
- Fairouz Café — Restaurant in Ottawa Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per fr.byward-market.com · Closed Apr 12, 2025 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error - Play Food & Wine — Restaurant in Ottawa Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per playfood.ca · Closed Jan 10, 2026 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Pennsylvania (1)
- Laurel — Restaurant in Pennsylvania Permanently closed
Recommended by Gemini and Perplexity for “Best Winter Experiences”.
Confirmed closed per inquirer.com · Closed Nov 21, 2025 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Phoenix (2)
- Barrio Café — Restaurant in Phoenix Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Food Experiences” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per azfamily.com · Closed May 31, 2024 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error - Binkley’s Restaurant — Restaurant in Phoenix Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per phoenixnewtimes.com · Closed Aug 2024 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Portland (3)
- Castagna — Restaurant in Portland Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 2 other questions).
Confirmed closed per pdxmonthly.com · Closed 2023 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Pok Pok — Restaurant in Portland Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per oregonlive.com · Closed Oct 2020 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Portland Children's Museum — Attraction in Portland Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Attractions for Families” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per opb.org · Closed Jun 30, 2021 · Verified Sep 30, 2026 Report an error
Prince Albert (1)
- Amy’s on Second — Restaurant in Prince Albert Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Food Experiences” (and 5 other questions).
Confirmed closed per panow.com · Closed Nov 2020 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Prince George (1)
- Cimo Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Prince George Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 3 other questions).
Confirmed closed per princegeorgecitizen.com · Closed Jan 31, 2023 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Québec City (2)
- Chez Muffy — Restaurant in Québec City Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per google.com · Verified Oct 14, 2026 Report an error - Restaurant Initiale — Restaurant in Québec City Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per restaurantinitiale.com · Closed Sep 28, 2019 · Verified Oct 7, 2026 Report an error
Red Deer (2)
- Black Knight Inn — Hotel in Red Deer Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Romantic Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per rdnewsnow.com · Closed 2021 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Westlake Grill — Restaurant in Red Deer Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 4 other questions).
Confirmed closed per rdnewsnow.com · Closed May 26, 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Rhode Island (1)
- Save the Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium — Attraction in Rhode Island Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Gemini for “Best Attractions for Families”.
Confirmed closed per savebay.org · Closed Oct 10, 2023 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Saint John (2)
- Billy's Seafood Company — Restaurant in Saint John Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed Feb 4, 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error - Slocum & Ferris — Restaurant in Saint John Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Gemini for “Best Food Experiences” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed Mar 9, 2024 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
Saskatoon (3)
- Ayden Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Saskatoon Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 4 other questions).
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed Jul 8, 2023 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Prairie Harvest Cafe — Restaurant in Saskatoon Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Gemini for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per x.com · Closed Aug 13, 2017 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error - The Hollows — Restaurant in Saskatoon Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 5 other questions).
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed Apr 2020 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Sherbrooke (1)
- Restaurant Auguste — Restaurant in Sherbrooke Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples” (and 4 other questions).
Confirmed closed per auguste-restaurant.com · Closed Dec 20, 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
South Dakota (2)
- Spezia — Restaurant in South Dakota Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
Confirmed closed per kikn.com · Closed 2020 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - The Corn Exchange — Restaurant in South Dakota Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per kathmandubistro.com · Closed Apr 13, 2013 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
St. John's (1)
- Raymonds — Restaurant in St. John's Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 4 other questions).
Confirmed closed per birideye.com · Closed Dec 31, 2020 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
St. Louis (2)
- Sardella — Restaurant in St. Louis Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per expatstl.com · Closed Mar 16, 2020 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Tony's — Restaurant in St. Louis Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
Confirmed closed per spectrumlocalnews.com · Closed Feb 15, 2025 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Toronto (2)
- HI Toronto Hostel — Hotel in Toronto Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity for “Best Budget Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per wanderlog.com · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error - Seven Lives — Restaurant in Toronto Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per torontotoday.ca · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
United States (1)
- Dog Sledding — Experience in United States Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Winter Experiences”.
Confirmed closed per aspenpublicradio.org · Closed Jun 2024 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
Utah (2)
- Lion House Pantry — Restaurant in Utah Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Gemini for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per ksl.com · Closed Apr 24, 2025 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - The Leonardo Museum — Attraction in Utah Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Rainy-Day Attractions”.
Confirmed closed per ksl.com · Closed Sep 25, 2025 · Verified Sep 30, 2026 Report an error
Vancouver (3)
- Forage — Restaurant in Vancouver Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per vancouverisawesome.com · Closed Nov 17, 2024 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Skwachàys Lodge — Hotel in Vancouver Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity for “Best Boutique Hotels”.
Confirmed closed per theglobeandmail.com · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error - The Salmon House on the Hill — Restaurant in Vancouver Permanently closed
Recommended by Gemini and Perplexity for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per nsnews.com · Closed Jul 12, 2025 · Verified Oct 5, 2026 Report an error
Vermont (1)
- Michael’s on the Hill — Restaurant in Vermont Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per sevendaysvt.com · Closed Apr 5, 2026 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Victoria (1)
- Little Jumbo — Restaurant in Victoria Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
Confirmed closed per dailyhive.com · Closed Oct 2024 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
Virginia (2)
- Chesapeake Bay — Attraction in Virginia Permanently closed
Recommended by Claude and Perplexity for “Best Food Experiences”.
Confirmed closed per wvtf.org · Closed Oct 1, 2017 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error - The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm — Restaurant in Virginia Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per patowmackfarm.com · Closed Aug 31, 2025 · Verified Sep 29, 2026 Report an error
West Virginia (1)
- The French Goat — Restaurant in West Virginia Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
Confirmed closed per wvva.com · Closed Jan 8, 2026 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error
Winnipeg (2)
- Enoteca — Restaurant in Winnipeg Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity for “Best Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per tourismwinnipeg.com · Closed Oct 2024 · Verified Oct 12, 2026 Report an error - Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant — Restaurant in Winnipeg Permanently closed
Recommended by ChatGPT and Claude for “Best Restaurants”.
Confirmed closed per cbc.ca · Closed May 2020 · Verified Oct 19, 2026 Report an error
No business matches that filter.
Methodology and limitations
- What was asked. TakeScout repeatedly asks ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity the questions travelers ask about each destination and extracts the places each answer recommends. Only the top three places in each answer count here. The questions go to each assistant's API model (Claude Sonnet 5, Gemini 3.6 Flash, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar), which can answer differently from the consumer apps.
- Window. For each destination, its latest check in which at least 90% of expected answers came back; otherwise its previous such check. This update covers answers from October 1, 2026 to October 14, 2026 across 124 destinations. Only successful answers count.
- Coverage. 100% of recommended businesses have had a closure check.
- Every rate is a minimum. A closure is counted only once it is verified. Reported closures whose source we could not read, or whose only source is more than three years old, are held back unless Google's listing confirms them — and some of those are real. So each figure here reads “at least”.
- One business, counted once. The same place recommended for a city, its state or province and its country is merged (matched by its Google Maps listing, or by name within the same place) and listed under the most specific destination.
- Why two or more models. The list and headline rate only include businesses at least two models put in their top three for the same question, so one model's stray answer can't put a business on the list. A recommendation made before a business's closure date doesn't count.
- Dates. Year-only closure dates count from December 31 and month-only dates from the month's last day.
- Minimum samples. A model is ranked only with at least 200 top-three recommendations in the window, and a category only with at least 10 closures.
- Not measured. Temporary and seasonal closures, and businesses that moved or were renamed, are not counted as closed.
Full TakeScout methodology · State of AI Travel · How AI visibility is measured
How to cite this report
TakeScout, “AI Still Recommends Businesses That Have Permanently Closed,” October 2026, https://takescout.com/reports/ai-recommends-closed-businesses. The findings and list are published under CC BY 4.0: you may reuse them, including commercially, with credit and a link to this page.
Questions tourism marketers ask
Why do AI assistants recommend businesses that have closed?
We can't see why a model picks a place; what we can show is how each assistant was queried and how often each one recommended a closed business.
Claude and Gemini were queried without web search, so they answer from model knowledge; ChatGPT and Perplexity retrieve live web sources for each answer.
In answers collected from October 1 to October 14, 2026, at least 524 of Claude's 20,919 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) pointed to a confirmed-closed business, against 1.5% for Gemini (331 of 21,465 slots).
525 of ChatGPT's 21,151 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) and 116 of Perplexity's 21,036 top-three recommendation slots (0.6%) pointed to a confirmed-closed business.
A business counts as closed only once a source reports it permanently closed and an independent second check confirms it.
How each closure is verified · Confirmed-open rate in the TakeScout methodology
How often does it happen?
At least 1 in 22 AI answers in our latest update had a permanently closed business in its top three: 1,384 of 29,760 answers.
Counted by business, 335 of the 21,934 businesses the assistants put in their top three are confirmed permanently closed (at least 1.5%); 87 of them were recommended by two or more assistants for the same question (at least 0.4%).
Answers collected from October 1 to October 14, 2026 across 124 destinations, from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. All 21,934 businesses have had a closure check; every rate is still a minimum, because a closure counts only once it is verified.
| Assistant | Top-3 recommendation slots pointing to a closed business | Answers with a closed business |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | 2.5% (524 of 20,919) | 6.3% (470 of 7,440) |
| ChatGPT | 2.5% (525 of 21,151) | 6.6% (488 of 7,440) |
| Gemini | 1.5% (331 of 21,465) | 4.2% (312 of 7,440) |
| Perplexity | 0.6% (116 of 21,036) | 1.5% (114 of 7,440) |
How accurate are AI travel recommendations?
At least 1.5% of the businesses AI assistants recommended were permanently closed (335 of the 21,934 businesses in their top three). That's the one type of error we can verify at scale; we don't measure overall accuracy.
Not measured: wrong opening hours or prices, a place attributed to the wrong city, temporary or seasonal closures, and details that are out of date for a business that is still open.
The share is a minimum: a closure counts only once a source reports it and an independent second check confirms it, and all 21,934 businesses had been checked.
Basis: 29,760 answers about 124 destinations · collected October 1 to October 14, 2026 · ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity.
How each closure is verified · How often it happens, by assistant
Which AI assistant recommends the most closed businesses?
Claude did in our latest update: at least 524 of Claude's 20,919 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) pointed to a confirmed-closed business.
Ranked by the share of each assistant's top-three recommendation slots that pointed to a confirmed-closed business: 1. Claude, 2.5% (524 of 20,919 slots); 2. ChatGPT, 2.5% (525 of 21,151 slots); 3. Gemini, 1.5% (331 of 21,465 slots); and 4. Perplexity, 0.6% (116 of 21,036 slots).
These rates cover answers collected from October 1 to October 14, 2026. They vary from one check to the next, as the answers change and more businesses get a closure check, so treat small gaps between assistants with caution.
Does web search fix it?
Not clearly in our data: ChatGPT and Perplexity retrieve live web sources, and 525 of ChatGPT's 21,151 top-three recommendation slots (2.5%) and 116 of Perplexity's 21,036 top-three recommendation slots (0.6%) pointed to a confirmed-closed business, within the 1.5%–2.5% range of the two assistants queried without web search.
Counted per answer, the share with a closed business in the top three was 6.6% for ChatGPT (488 of 7,440) and 1.5% for Perplexity (114 of 7,440), against 6.3% for Claude (470 of 7,440) and 4.2% for Gemini (312 of 7,440).
ChatGPT and Perplexity's answers cite the web pages they retrieved. The other assistants return no sources, so we can't say what their recommendations draw on.
Answers collected from October 1 to October 14, 2026.
How can a tourism organization detect incorrect AI recommendations?
Check each business an AI assistant recommends against independent sources, rather than trusting any single one: TakeScout works through the top three places in every answer it collects, and counts a closure only when two separate checks agree.
A business is counted as closed when a citable source reports it permanently closed and an independent second check confirms it: a separate search for current signs that it is operating, plus a match against its Google Maps listing.
The cited page is then read: it must name the business and say, in a sentence, that it has closed. When that page is more than three years old or can't be read, the closure is counted only if the Google Maps listing says permanently closed; otherwise a person reviews it. Conflicting evidence always goes to a person.
Namesakes in other places, directory-only claims, moves and seasonal closures are excluded.
In the latest update, 21,934 of the 21,934 businesses in the assistants' top three (100%) had been through this check, and 335 were confirmed permanently closed.
Basis: 29,760 answers about 124 destinations · collected October 1 to October 14, 2026 · ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity.
Method and limitations · Confirmed-open rate in the TakeScout methodology
How can a tourism board check whether AI recommends closed businesses in its destination?
Open the destination's page on TakeScout: its confirmed-open rate is the share of the places AI assistants recommend most there that a closure check has confirmed are still open.
This report lists every confirmed-closed business that two or more assistants recommended, grouped by destination, with the source that reports the closure.
In the latest update, 60 of the 124 destinations checked had at least one such business; Charleston had the most (3).
The confirmed-open rate is one of the three parts of the TakeScout score, with model agreement and presence rate.
Confirmed-open rate in the TakeScout methodology · Charleston on TakeScout · Charleston's closed businesses · Browse every tracked destination
More questions destination marketers ask, each answered with TakeScout data: AI Visibility Questions, including which hotels, restaurants and attractions AI recommends.