Is AI Search SEO Leaving Bigger Opportunities Behind?
A recent episode of the Ahrefs Podcast has sparked a timely discussion about the current state of AI-driven SEO and how marketers might be overlooking more valuable opportunities in pursuit of AI visibility. The hosts argue that many businesses, eager to adapt to AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and answer engines, may be neglecting established, high-impact platforms like YouTube, where user search intent remains extremely strong.
The Misplaced Focus on AI Search
The podcast highlighted that brands and SEO professionals are investing significant time and resources into optimizing for AI-generated answers, systems like Perplexity AI, ChatGPT, or Gemini’s AI Overviews, despite these platforms driving relatively limited traffic compared to traditional search and video platforms.
While preparing for AI search visibility is valuable, the hosts caution that this “AI SEO race” could pull focus away from proven marketing channels that still dominate user attention and engagement.
YouTube: The Untapped SEO Powerhouse
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, surpassed only by Google itself. Every day, millions of people use YouTube’s search bar to look for tutorials, product reviews, and educational content — representing a massive opportunity for brands to capture attention, build trust, and drive conversions.
Despite this, many organizations prioritize AI optimization over developing a strategic video presence, missing the chance to build stronger brand awareness and organic reach through YouTube’s search ecosystem.
“It should be a no-brainer that businesses figure out YouTube,” the hosts noted, “and yet many are rushing to optimize for answer engines like Perplexity and ChatGPT, which have only a fraction of YouTube’s search traffic.”
Why It Matters
The podcast emphasizes that while AI search optimization is an emerging area, marketers shouldn’t lose sight of where real, scalable user intent still exists today. Platforms like YouTube, supported by visual content, audience engagement, and discoverability, continue to offer far more measurable opportunities for growth and conversions.
In short, AI SEO is important, but the biggest wins still come from mastering platforms that already command massive search volumes and sustained user trust.
