We recently noticed something quietly significant in Google Search: a dedicated "Short videos" tab, sitting right alongside staples like Images, News, and Maps. It's not a carousel buried a few scrolls down in the results. It's front and centre.
This might look like a small change, but it says a lot. Google is giving short-form video content a permanent seat at the search table, and it's not hard to see why.
Platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels have completely reshaped how people consume information. Google is now formalising that behaviour in its core product: Search.
Why it matters
This isn't a cosmetic tweak. It's a strategic move. Search is no longer just blue links and blog posts. Google is shifting to match how people increasingly want to learn and discover things: fast, visual, and snackable.
A dedicated tab means Google wants people to explicitly seek out short-form video content. It also means creators who've never thought much about SEO need to start rethinking their approach.
What you should do
Whether you're a content creator, a brand, or an SEO strategist, this has a few clear takeaways:
Optimise your Shorts, Reels, and TikToks for search. Use clear, keyword-driven captions and titles. Think about how people search on Google, not just how they scroll on social platforms.
Include short-form video in your content mix. If your strategy is still long-form-heavy, you're likely missing a growing chunk of visibility.
Track visibility shifts in your niche. Watch how short videos start to compete with, or complement, traditional results - especially for how-to questions, reviews, and local discovery terms.
The bigger picture
Short videos are no longer just a social media play. They're officially part of the search ecosystem. This update marks a broader trend: Google continues to move toward the formats people are already using day to day.
If you work in SaaS, e-commerce, news, or local SEO, this shift will change how your content gets found.
Want help working short-form video into your search strategy? See our SEO service, or get in touch and we'll walk through what's worth doing for your niche.
Jinnat Ul Hasan
Founder & CEO, Whizz People
