While many business owners are still busy updating their Google Business Profile (which is still essential), a powerful shift has been happening quietly in the background: YouTube has become one of the top sources AI tools use to answer people’s questions, especially local ones.
At The Digital People, we’re always watching how platforms evolve. Here’s an example- YouTube is more than a video-sharing site, it has become an AI training ground. When someone asks AI, “Who’s the best roofer in Ouachita Parish?” or “Where can I find reliable pet grooming near me?”, AI may very well pull that answer directly from a YouTube video.
Why? Because Google’s AI watches and learns from YouTube videos. It scans the visuals, reads the captions, and extracts helpful information. The more relevant, local, and helpful content you have on YouTube, the more likely you are to show up in AI-generated answers, without paying for ads.
Be Helpful, Not Fancy
Most local businesses still haven’t tapped into this. The good news? You don’t need a full production crew to get started. AI doesn’t care about lighting or camera angles, it cares about useful content.
A quick 60-second video like “Top 3 Things to Know Before Building a Home in Monroe, LA” can put you ahead of competitors who don’t show up at all. Think short, clear, and helpful. Show a job before and after, answer common questions, or talk about what your service includes. Remember to always include your location in the video title or description.
This isn’t about becoming a YouTuber, it’s about being found. When AI looks for answers, will it find you?
YouTube Gets the Google Boost
One major advantage is the fact that YouTube is owned by Google. So, when you post content there, you’re also boosting your visibility across the entire Google ecosystem. YouTube videos often rank on the first page of search results, even above websites. That means your video may not just be watched by potential customers, but it may also be seen by AI models answering their questions in search engines, smart assistants, and chatbots.
Start Now. Win Later.
You don’t have to produce daily content, just a few useful videos can begin to build your AI footprint. Start with topics your customers already ask about:
- “How much does it cost to build a custom home in North Louisiana?”
- “3 signs your roof needs replacing”
- “What to expect during a carpet cleaning service in West Monroe”
By creating content that answers these questions, you increase your chances of being the business AI recommends even before your competitors realize what’s happening.
Show Up Where AI is Looking
AI doesn’t rely solely on websites anymore. It’s drawing from video, social media, forums, and more. If you’re not showing up on YouTube, you’re missing a huge opportunity for free exposure, especially as AI-generated answers become the new front page of search.
At The Digital People in Monroe, LA, we help businesses show up where it matters and that is on platforms that AI trusts and consumers use every day.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to go viral, you just have to show up. YouTube is one of the most underused marketing tools for local businesses today, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most important sources for AI-driven answers.
Tips: Start small, be helpful, add value, and let the power of YouTube and AI do the rest.
Want help crafting a simple, AI-smart YouTube content strategy for your business? We’ve got you. Schedule a discovery meeting with our team today.
Ready to learn more? Read our blog, “Evolving Search Landscape:The New Rules of SEO.”
