Small Businesses Turn to AI to Fill Gaps, Fiverr Data Shows

Small business owners rarely clock out when the shop closes. Social media posts, customer queries and product listings pile up, and hiring a full marketing or tech team is often out of reach. According to Fiverr data, many are turning to artificial intelligence to close those gaps across writing, marketing, coding and customer service.

AI Demand Is Accelerating

A May 2025 Fiverr survey of 6,000 small business owners found that 77% already used generative AI for business, personal needs or both. More recent figures show demand rising. Fiverr’s June 2026 Business Trends Index reported that searches for AI-related services grew 278% in Video & Animation, 94% in Programming & Tech and 62% in Digital Marketing. Searches for Claude Code specialists jumped 938%. The figures compare November 2025 to April 2026 with the preceding six months.

Writing and marketing lead the use cases. Businesses use AI to draft newsletters, website copy and product descriptions, and to brainstorm SEO keywords and content ideas. Social media is another focus: searches for AI user-generated-content-style video ads rose 265%, while searches for human video editing climbed 36%, suggesting owners want production help alongside generated material. Chatbots that answer routine questions about opening hours or returns, then hand off to a person when needed, are also common.

Human Oversight Still Matters

Fiverr’s data suggests AI works best alongside human judgment. Its May 2025 index showed searches for freelancers who could “humanize AI content” rose 641%. Interest in “vibe coding” climbed 61%, yet Fiverr stresses that generating code is not the same as delivering software. AI-generated images are also not automatically royalty-free or exclusive, so businesses should check tool terms and usage rights.

For small businesses, the takeaway is practical: use AI for first drafts and routine tasks, then rely on people to verify quality and keep the brand voice consistent.