The way people search for answers online has changed dramatically. As Google and other AI platforms increasingly rely on multimedia content to answer user queries, YouTube has become one of the most cited sources in AI-generated “AI Overviews.”
These are summary answers that appear above traditional search links and often pull directly from video content when it provides clear, visual explanations.
For business owners, this shift means that simply having blog posts and text pages isn’t enough anymore. YouTube videos are now part of “search infrastructure”; they show up in Google Search, YouTube recommendation feeds and AI summarisations alike. YouTube’s massive reach, far larger than most social networks, gives well-optimised video content a huge visibility advantage.
So what does it take to win in this environment? The old approach of uploading a single video and hoping for views won’t cut it. Instead, treat YouTube SEO with the same intent-driven mindset you use for traditional search engine optimisation:
– Use titles and descriptions that match phrases people are actually searching for.
– Create chapters and accurate transcripts. These help both viewers and AI systems understand your content.
– Build topical authority. A series of related videos signals expertise and increases the chance that AI engines will cite your content.
In short, YouTube should no longer be siloed under “brand awareness.” It now plays a strategic role in SEO, discovery, and customer acquisition. Businesses that align their video strategy with AI-driven search behaviour will find themselves far more visible and competitive, in the years ahead.
If you need any assistance on how to get the most out of your website’s SEO performance, please get in touch with our team at Engage Web today.
- How YouTube’s importance has soared in the age of AI overviews - February 25, 2026
- Google to introduce preferred sources within search - December 15, 2025
- Google tests combination of conversational search with AI overviews - December 8, 2025
