YouTube Dominates AI Search Results, Rivals Barely Register
YouTube has emerged as the undisputed video authority for AI platforms, cited over 200 times more than any competitor, according to new research from enterprise SEO platform BrightEdge.
YouTube: The Only Video Platform That Matters in AI Search
The study reveals that AI platforms such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity overwhelmingly cite YouTube, making it the top video source across industries.
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YouTube is cited 200x more than any other video platform.
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Vimeo (0.1%), TikTok (0.1%), Dailymotion (0%), and Twitch (0%) barely registered.
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YouTube is now considered an authority on par with Mayo Clinic and Investopedia for informational content.
By the Numbers
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29.5% of Google AI Overviews cite YouTube, making it the #1 domain overall.
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16.6% of Google AI Mode results feature YouTube, ranking higher than any rival.
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Perplexity: 9.7% citation share, with steady growth.
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ChatGPT: 0.2% share, but growing 100% week-over-week (from a small base).
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Despite a 32.8% dip in AI Overview citations, YouTube continues to dominate the landscape.
What Type of Content Works Best?
The research shows YouTube is most frequently cited for:
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Tutorials – finance, software, and medical “how-to” guides.
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Product-related content – pricing, reviews, unboxings, and deal hunting.
Less commonly, YouTube is cited for career advice, abstract strategy discussions, or purely informational queries.
Why It Matters for Brands
The findings highlight a major shift: if your brand isn’t producing video content for YouTube, you risk invisibility in AI-driven search results. As AI platforms increasingly power discovery, video is no longer optional – it’s essential.
About the Study
The report analyzed YouTube citation patterns from May 2024 to September 2025 across Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity using BrightEdge’s AI Catalyst platform. Data included citation rates, platform competition, query types, and week-over-week trends.