Recently, YouTube officially tested a new feature: AI-based Search Suggestions . This means that in the future, when you enter keywords on YouTube, the system will intelligently guess your intentions, like ChatGPT, and actively recommend related videos, answer questions, and even organize content lists.
What is YouTube’s AI search recommendation?
YouTube is testing this feature, which uses AI to understand the context of keywords entered by users and provide more intelligent recommendations when users enter search content. For example:
When you type “vlog camera”, AI will recommend highly relevant content such as “vlog camera review for beginners” and “best vlog camera comparison in 2025”;
Type in “how to edit videos” and recommendations will include the latest editing software, skill videos, and highly interactive tutorial content.
Currently, this function is being gray-scale tested in some regions and user groups. The mobile search bar will display a new recommendation prompt area . Different from the traditional recommendation method based on keyword matching, this recommendation is more "semantic".
What does this feature mean?
For ordinary users:
Smarter search saves time and effort : no more trial-and-error input of multiple keywords;
More accurate information : AI will prioritize videos with higher interaction rates, viewing time, and relevance.
For content creators:
Changes in SEO logic : not only keywords but also semantic intent matching should be considered ;
Title and description strategies need to be adjusted : they should be written more like for AI to “see”, not only to attract users, but also to “let AI understand what you are saying”;
Video content structure is more important : AI recommendation mechanisms are more likely to perform semantic recognition based on script content or subtitles, thereby increasing the exposure of videos with clear structures.
Tutorial: 5 tips to help you use YouTube AI search recommendations
1. Search with "question sentence" to activate AI-guided recommendations
Traditional keyword search is giving way to “question-like search”.
Example input:
Not recommended: filming food videos
More effective: How to shoot attractive food videos?
Effect: AI will provide a collection of video content with subtitles/transitions/lighting techniques.
2️. Pay attention to the "AI Featured Recommendation Area" - don't just focus on the first three videos
YouTube search page will have a new recommendation style block (AI-generated suggestions), which is more like a "list of answers" organized by the system.
Creator Tip: Videos included in this recommendation area will see a 3-5 times increase in exposure !
3. Add answer-like sentences in the video title + introduction
How can creators improve their chances of entering the AI recommendation area?
Example optimization:
Original title: Five ways to shoot vlogs
New title: Which vlog shooting method is the most stable? These 5 methods will tell you the answer!
The introduction should also be written in a "question-answering" tone, for example: "This video explains in depth the stable shooting method suitable for beginners, helping you shoot high-quality vlogs."
4️. Use timestamps and chapters to enhance the sense of structure
AI is good at processing clearly structured videos, and time-stamped chapters are a plus .
Example:
0:00 Opening Introduction
0:45 Equipment Recommendations
2:10 Shooting Tips
3:30 Stabilizer actual test comparison
Structured → Easier to be summarized by AI → More likely to appear in Q&A recommendations
5️. Creators use Shorts to answer popular questions
YouTube is testing incorporating Shorts into AI answer recommendations.
Tips: Using Shorts to quickly answer a popular question is easier to "grab the headlines" than long videos.
Example dialogue:
"Do you want to know the best photography equipment for beginners? These three types are all within a budget of 500 yuan!"
Promote interaction in the comment area + guide people to watch the full version of the long video
Example: If you are a beauty blogger
You used to post videos like this:
Title: "Sharing my favorite foundation for fall and winter"
Introduction: Share the foundation and primer I'm using recently~
But under the new AI search mechanism, this may not be able to obtain traffic from the "Question Recommendation Area"
Now you should do this:
Change title → Answer type:
“How to choose a long-lasting makeup base for oily skin in autumn and winter? These 3 cost-effective foundations are my favorite!”
Change the introduction → clarify the problem + summarize the answer:
"Girls with oily skin are most afraid of makeup coming off and floating around in winter? This video helps you choose the right foundation, primer and makeup setting method, and actually tests three super long-lasting products!"
Add chapter timestamp:
0:00 Analysis of the pain points of oily skin base makeup in autumn and winter
1:20 TOP3 review of liquid foundation
3:05 Pre-makeup + setting and matching suggestions
4:00 Comparison chart of makeup effect measurement
Quick answer for the Shorts version:
"Is my makeup coming off on oily skin in autumn and winter? This liquid foundation really keeps it in place for the whole day!"
Increase the chance of being selected by AI for display, thereby driving a surge in main video views!
Conclusion
Adjust video titles and descriptions to highlight user intent language
Embed a “question → answer” structure in your script
Create themed series of content to increase structural clarity
Analyze video search performance every month and continuously optimize the direction
Pay attention to YouTube official updates and respond to AI recommendation logic changes as soon as possible
Have you ever seen these AI-recommended cards when searching YouTube? Have your videos started to attract new traffic from these AI recommendations?
