The year 2024 witnessed a significant surge in AI adoption and the introduction of new digital tools, leading to an increase in the number of new websites being launched. In collaboration with economists from UCLA Anderson, GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research team aimed to analyze and, for the first time, measure the economic impact of AI—specifically GoDaddy Airo—on local economies driven by small businesses. The findings revealed a strong link between the rise in customer-created websites following the launch of GoDaddy Airo and both an increase in job creation and a decline in local unemployment rates.
Challenging the common perception of AI as a threat to employment, this research presents a different perspective—one in which AI serves as a driver of economic growth and job creation, particularly through small and microbusinesses.
New Research Highlights AI’s Real-World Impact on Small Businesses Throughout 2024, discussions around AI largely revolved around its potential to reshape major industries. However, GoDaddy’s latest study shifts the narrative by focusing on how AI is making a tangible economic difference for small businesses. Since its introduction in 2023, GoDaddy Airo has fueled a surge in microbusiness activity—both in website creation and online traffic—resulting in measurable economic benefits across the United States.
Small and Microbusinesses Drive Economic Growth Through AI
The research, which examined data from November 2023 to September 2024, uncovered several key insights:
Job Creation: Each website created using GoDaddy Airo was linked to the generation of 20 jobs per county. Regional variations were observed, with rural counties adding an average of 4.2 jobs and urban counties experiencing an increase of 22 jobs. Economic Impact: The establishment of 10 new GoDaddy-powered websites per county was associated with a 0.017 percentage-point reduction in local unemployment rates. Record-Breaking Engagement: In 2024, activity on microbusiness websites reached unprecedented levels, reflected in a 13% rise in GoDaddy’s microbusiness engagement index from January to September—exceeding pre-pandemic numbers, according to UCLA Anderson’s assessment. Challenging the common perception of AI as a threat to employment, this research presents a different perspective—one in which AI serves as a driver of economic growth and job creation, particularly through small and microbusinesses.
New Research Highlights AI’s Real-World Impact on Small Businesses Throughout 2024, discussions around AI largely revolved around its potential to reshape major industries. However, GoDaddy’s latest study shifts the narrative by focusing on how AI is making a tangible economic difference for small businesses. Since its introduction in 2023, GoDaddy Airo has fueled a surge in microbusiness activity—both in website creation and online traffic—resulting in measurable economic benefits across the United States.
Small and Microbusinesses Drive Economic Growth Through AI
The research, which examined data from November 2023 to September 2024, uncovered several key insights:
AI’s Positive Influence on Small Business Success
While AI discussions often center on its potential, GoDaddy’s findings highlight its concrete effects, as outlined in the 2024 GoDaddy Venture Forward Annual Report:
Enhanced Productivity and Revenue: A striking 72% of small business owners who leveraged AI tools like GoDaddy Airo reported higher productivity, while 61% saw an increase in revenue over the past six months. Lower Barriers to Entry: AI-powered tools like Airo have facilitated a sharp rise in website creation. Despite these advancements, 38% of microbusiness owners expressed a lack of knowledge about AI, indicating a growing need for educational initiatives in 2025. While AI discussions often center on its potential, GoDaddy’s findings highlight its concrete effects, as outlined in the 2024 GoDaddy Venture Forward Annual Report:
2025: A Year of Greater AI-Driven Economic Impact
As GoDaddy continues to analyze AI’s economic influence, the research paves the way for further insights in 2025. Small businesses—often overlooked in AI discussions—are proving to be key drivers of economic transformation. AI tools like GoDaddy Airo are not only enhancing digital engagement but are also making notable contributions to job creation and local economies.
With digital microbusinesses already generating an average of seven jobs per entrepreneur, AI presents a unique opportunity to strengthen both local and national economic growth. Alexandra Rosen, economist and global head of GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative, emphasizes this shift, stating, “Economic outcomes don’t materialize overnight, but in under a year, GoDaddy’s collaboration with UCLA has demonstrated how small businesses leveraging AI tools are reshaping local economies through job creation. GoDaddy Airo, in particular, enables entrepreneurs to launch their ventures swiftly, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.”
AI adoption is no longer just a competitive advantage—it has become an economic necessity. Looking ahead, GoDaddy, in partnership with UCLA economists, remains committed to exploring the far-reaching benefits AI brings, not only for small businesses’ online success but also for their broader economic contributions.
Ongoing research will continue to provide insights into the evolving relationship between small and microbusinesses and AI, illustrating the compounded economic impact of this dynamic combination.
As GoDaddy continues to analyze AI’s economic influence, the research paves the way for further insights in 2025. Small businesses—often overlooked in AI discussions—are proving to be key drivers of economic transformation. AI tools like GoDaddy Airo are not only enhancing digital engagement but are also making notable contributions to job creation and local economies.
With digital microbusinesses already generating an average of seven jobs per entrepreneur, AI presents a unique opportunity to strengthen both local and national economic growth. Alexandra Rosen, economist and global head of GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative, emphasizes this shift, stating, “Economic outcomes don’t materialize overnight, but in under a year, GoDaddy’s collaboration with UCLA has demonstrated how small businesses leveraging AI tools are reshaping local economies through job creation. GoDaddy Airo, in particular, enables entrepreneurs to launch their ventures swiftly, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.”
AI adoption is no longer just a competitive advantage—it has become an economic necessity. Looking ahead, GoDaddy, in partnership with UCLA economists, remains committed to exploring the far-reaching benefits AI brings, not only for small businesses’ online success but also for their broader economic contributions.
Ongoing research will continue to provide insights into the evolving relationship between small and microbusinesses and AI, illustrating the compounded economic impact of this dynamic combination.