YouTube Just Overtook Reddit in AI Search (Here’s How to Win Citations)
Release Date: 01/28/2026
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info_outlineE938: I break down new data showing that YouTube has officially overtaken Reddit as the most cited social platform in AI search, including large language models like ChatGPT.
We’ll cover what this shift means for SEO, brand visibility, and how to actually get your content cited by AI using YouTube.
What changed in AI search
- YouTube is now cited more frequently than Reddit in AI-generated answers
- Transcripts and descriptions make YouTube content easy for LLMs to read
- AI systems increasingly rely on YouTube for explanations, reviews, and comparisons
Why YouTube now beats Reddit for AI visibility
- Videos include readable transcripts and metadata
- Titles and descriptions can target exact search queries
- YouTube content is easier for AI to summarize and compare
- Ranking videos also builds long-term brand authority
How AI systems find and cite YouTube videos
- AI prompts are broken into multiple search queries
- Videos need to match at least one of those queries
- Titles, descriptions, and filenames influence discovery
- Clear answers increase the chance of citation
How to optimize YouTube videos for AI search
- Target one primary keyword per video
- Put the keyword in the video title
- Put the keyword at the beginning of the description
- Use the keyword in the video filename
- Answer the question directly and concisely
How to structure descriptions so AI can understand them
- Put the full answer in the description
- Use headings to organize information
- Use consistent sections for comparisons
- This makes it easier for AI to generate tables
Using YouTube alongside traditional SEO
- Create a video for each SEO landing page
- Target the same keyword in the page and the video
- Publish both while the topic is top of mind
- Videos often rank faster than pages
Branded vs non-branded keywords
- Branded keywords are easier to rank for
- Brand name plus review keywords convert well
- Brand name plus rating keywords convert well
- Non-branded keywords are still viable with video
Building topical authority on YouTube
- Cover related topics consistently
- Watch time and engagement matter
- Comments help reinforce relevance
- Channels behave similarly to websites in search
Practical advice for getting started
- Start recording with what you have
- You do not need to post daily
- Weekly or monthly is enough to start
- Editing does not need to be complex
- Shorts can be reused across platforms
Why this matters
- YouTube is the most clicked site in Google search
- YouTube is now a top citation source for AI
- You build brand equity while ranking
- You own the asset you are growing
⭐️ My Exact Social Media Posting Strategy - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/social-media-posting-strategy/
⭐️ EXCLUSIVE: YouTube Overtakes Reddit as Go-To Citation Source on AI Search - https://www.adweek.com/media/youtube-reddit-ai-search-engine-citations/
⭐️ State of Search Q4 2025: Behaviors, Trends, and Clicks Across the US & Europe - https://datos.live/report/state-of-search-q4-2025/
💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/
00:00 YouTube Overtakes Reddit in AI Citations
00:19 The Rise of YouTube as a Citation Source
01:31 Optimizing Videos for AI and SEO
04:56 Practical Tips for Creating Effective Videos
06:18 Building and Growing Your YouTube Channel
08:22 Leveraging AI and Video for SEO Success
10:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/
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