How to Make Your Videos & Thumbnails Appear in AI Search Results

With the explosive growth of ChatGPT, Gemini, and other large language models (LLMs), more and more creators are noticing new mentions and clicks from these platforms. On the other hand, brands that don’t become increasingly anxious, unsure why they’re not being mentioned. So, what AI search actually is and how creators can optimize their videos and thumbnails for it? 

Over the past couple of years, millions of people have shifted from typing keywords into Google to asking natural-language questions in LLMs such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot, to name a few. In late 2022, ChatGPT broke world records by reaching 1 million users in less than seven days. The following year, it boasted over 100 million monthly users, and by August 2025, ChatGPT received 5.4 billion visits, which makes it one of the top five most-visited websites globally.

This groundbreaking shift marks the beginning of a new era: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

From SEO to GEO: Same, Same, but Different

To put it simply, traditional SEO focused on keywords, backlinks, and click-through rates. In contrast, GEO analyzes context, authority, and clarity instead of keyword density.

Meaning that websites that have performed exceptionally well in traditional search results don’t necessarily hold the same ranking on ChatGPT. In fact, some studies show that different LLMs follow distinct citation patterns.

• ChatGPT cites more authoritative and educational sources (.org, .edu, arXiv, Wikipedia).
  
• Perplexity often relies on user-generated content (YouTube and Reddit) — great news for creators.
  
• Copilot leans toward mainstream or partner content (e.g., MSN, Forbes).

For brands, this means different LLMs have completely different citation behaviors and a very low overlap in cited domains. There’s no single strategy that works for all LLMs equally — but it’s essential to know where your audience is and understand where LLMs source information in your niche.

How AI “Sees” Visual Content

While humans may be stunned by a beautiful photo, LLMs like ChatGPT interpret visual content more pragmatically. They “see” images through contextual clues such as:

• File names, captions, and alt text
  
• Thumbnails paired with semantic titles
  
• Schema metadata
  
• Text surrounding the image (titles, subtitles, tags, transcripts)
  

AI uses these signals to infer authority and relevance — so every title, caption, and image detail contributes to your GEO footprint.

How to Write GEO-Ready Thumbnails and Titles

If you want your visuals to appear in AI summaries or citations, consistency and clarity are key. 

Here’s a GEO checklist for creators:

✅ Maximum clarity. Use clear, descriptive phrasing that matches your content theme and is easy to understand without additional context.

✅ Consistent branding. AI learns visual identity over time. Stick to a recognizable color palette, font, and layout.

✅ Strong metadata. Add accurate alt text (e.g., “Wolfie the designer editing a YouTube thumbnail in Canva”) and structured schema.

✅ Contextual descriptions. Write natural-language tags and captions. AI engines now prefer context over keyword stuffing.

Creators who maintain consistent visual branding across platforms — thumbnail layout, logo placement, text style — are easier for AI to recognize and cite. Over time, this consistency builds an AI-level reputation signal.

The Future of Visibility: Beyond Clicks and Keywords

What we’re seeing now resembles the groundbreaking shift Google triggered in the early 2000s. With the rise of ChatGPT, Google’s share of search traffic began to decline for the first time. While SEO will remain the main source of organic traffic for the next few years, LLMs such as ChatGPT are steadily claiming their place under the sun.

For creators, this means your thumbnails aren’t just clickbait anymore — they’re AI signals. They tell generative engines what your content is about, what your brand represents, and why it deserves to be included in the next AI-generated answer. So as you design your next thumbnail, think beyond views. Think about visibility — not just on YouTube, but inside the world’s fastest-growing generative engines.