YouTube Begins Testing AI Overviews in Search Results

YouTube is now testing AI-powered overviews in search results, which highlight relevant video clips based on users’ searches.

This new feature is currently being tested with a focus on product and location searches.

For now, the AI Overviews will only be visible to a small group of YouTube Premium members in the United States.

YouTube is currently testing a new feature that uses AI-powered video summaries in its search results. This feature is similar to Google Search’s AI overviews.

The tool aims to help users find relevant videos more quickly by highlighting specific clips that best match their search criteria.

New AI-Powered Search Experience

YouTube’s latest test introduces a new video results carousel that appears when users search for specific topics. This feature utilises AI to identify and highlight the most relevant parts of videos related to the user’s search.

As YouTube explains, “This new feature will use AI to highlight clips from videos that will be most helpful for your search query.”

The AI-powered summaries will primarily appear for two types of searches: product-related queries, such as “best noise-cancelling headphones,” and location-based searches, like “museums to visit in San Francisco.”

Limited Testing Phase

At present, YouTube’s AI-powered video summaries feature is available to a select group of YouTube Premium members in the United States. However, it is important to note that the feature is only accessible for searches conducted in English.

If you’re one of the fortunate test users, YouTube is keen to hear your thoughts on the new feature. The platform encourages feedback through the three-dot menu, where you can easily rate your experience with a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down. This feedback will help YouTube fine-tune the feature to improve its functionality and effectiveness for all users in the future. So, if you’re part of the test group, don’t hesitate to share your impressions and suggestions for improvements.

Part of YouTube’s Experimental Process

This test is consistent with YouTube’s typical approach to introducing new features. The company regularly tests potential updates with small groups of users before making the decision to expand them to a larger audience.

As YouTube explains, “YouTube product teams are constantly testing out new tools and features.” These trials are designed to improve the overall user experience by helping people “find, watch, share, and create content more easily.”

YouTube also makes use of the feedback gathered during these experiments to inform their decisions about whether, when, and how to roll out features to a broader audience. By carefully analysing user responses, YouTube can ensure that any changes it makes will be beneficial to all users.

What This Means

YouTube’s AI Overviews bring both opportunities and challenges for SEO professionals and content creators alike.

On the positive side, the feature has the potential to help users discover content they might have otherwise missed. This could be particularly beneficial for creators who produce detailed, information-rich videos, as their content may now have a greater chance of being highlighted.

However, there are also concerns similar to those raised with Google’s AI Overviews. One of the main questions is whether these summaries will reduce click-through rates by providing answers directly within the search results. This could discourage users from clicking through to watch the full video.

Additionally, there is uncertainty about how the AI will decide which content to feature in these summaries. Will it accurately highlight the most relevant parts of a video? These concerns could lead creators to rethink how they structure their YouTube videos, with some possibly opting to create clearly defined segments that AI can easily identify and highlight.

Looking Ahead

YouTube’s test marks another significant step in transforming search across Alphabet’s platforms.

While YouTube has not yet announced when the feature will be made available more widely, there is potential for a broader rollout. Given how quickly Google expanded its AI Overviews, successful testing of this feature could lead to its wider launch in the coming months. This could further reshape how users interact with search results on YouTube and beyond.