Google AI Overviews cite YouTube most often for health topics: Study

Most of the health advice summarized in Google’s AI Overviews relies on non-medical sources, a new analysis shows. This follows fresh concerns about users receiving misleading or unsafe guidance on sensitive health topics.

What’s happening. The Guardian recently reported that Google’s AI Overviews sometimes surface incorrect or dangerous health advice. The reporting drew on reviews by medical charities and experts.

• Examples included flawed guidance on pancreatic cancer diets and misleading explanations of liver blood test results.
• Google disputed the findings. The company said the examples were taken out of context and argued that most AI Overviews are accurate and link to reputable sources.

The bigger issue. SE Ranking examined where AI Overviews actually get their information. The study reviewed 50,807 health-related searches in Germany. The big finding:

• Nearly two-thirds of Google AI Overview citations come from sources without strong medical or evidence-based safeguards.

By the numbers. YouTube was the single most cited source for health-related AI Overviews. It accounted for 4.43% of all citations, far more than “more reliable” medical sources (e.g., hospitals and clinics, health insurance providers, health associations). Other findings:

• 34.45% of citations overall came from more reliable medical sources.
• Academic journals and government health institutions together accounted for about 1% of all AI Overview citations.
• AI Overviews heavily favored video content. YouTube ranked first in AI citations but only 11th in traditional organic search results.
• Source alignment was weak. Only 36% of AI-cited pages appeared in Google’s top 10 organic search results.

Why we care. Google’s AI Overviews act as a primary layer of health information, especially for Your Money or Your Life topics. With more than 82% of health queries triggering AI Overviews, the quality of AI-generated answers is a public safety issue. Google should be held to the same standard it has long imposed on others: meeting the strict requirements it demands of YMYL publishers.

The study. Health-related AI Overviews turn to YouTube 2–3x more than trusted medical sites