What Are Featured Snippets? Here is How to Get Them
You might have noticed that Google search results have many features including the people ask section, people also search for section, and the most competitive section-Featured Snippets.
But why is every blogger on the globe fighting for the featured snippet section?
Well, in a study by EngineScout, featured snippets account for 35.1% of clicks. This means the majority of online searches land on this section first before looking at the top-ranking page on Google.
Now you see why you need to optimize all your blog posts for this section.
How should you go about it? Here is what you need to know.
What Are Featured Snippets?
A featured snippet is a summary of an answer to a user’s query displayed at the top of Google’s search results. It often includes text, images, or videos. Here’s an example:
Example: If you search for “What is the capital of France?”, you might see this:
This snippet shows the answer right away, saving you the time of clicking through different websites.
How Do Featured Snippets Appear?
Featured snippets are pulled from one of the top-ranking web pages for a search query. Google uses its algorithm to find the best, most relevant information and shows it in the snippet box. This means if your content is well-optimized, it has a chance to be featured.
Types of Content in Featured Snippets:
- Text: Direct answers in paragraph form.
- Lists: Steps or items listed clearly.
- Tables: Data presented in a table format.
- Videos: Clips that provide a visual answer.
Why Are Featured Snippets Important?
Featured snippets give searchers quick answers to their questions, like little cheat sheets at the top of the search results. This means more people are likely to see your content and click on your website. And guess what? They’re also important for voice search since assistants like Siri and Alexa often read snippets out loud. So, featured snippets are a great way to get your content seen and heard!
Here is a table summarizing the importance of featured snippets:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Higher Visibility | Featured snippets appear prominently at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs), increasing the likelihood that users will notice and click on your link. This visibility boost is especially valuable for capturing user attention amidst competing search results. |
| Increased CTR | Content featured in snippets tends to experience higher click-through rates (CTR) because it provides immediate answers to user queries, making it more likely that users will click through to learn more. This can result in a substantial increase in traffic to your website. |
| More Traffic | Being featured in a snippet drives significant organic traffic to your site as users trust and click on authoritative, informative snippets that directly address their search queries. This can lead to sustained traffic growth over time. |
| Builds Trust | When your content appears in featured snippets, it positions your website as a credible and trustworthy source of information in your industry or niche. Users are more likely to view your site as an authority, which can enhance brand reputation and user loyalty. |
| Voice Search | Featured snippets are crucial for optimizing content for voice search results, where voice assistants often pull answers directly from snippet content to provide spoken responses to user queries. Optimizing for snippets can therefore improve visibility in voice search results. |
| Reduces Competition | By capturing the top spot in search results with featured snippets, your content can reduce clicks to competing sites that appear lower down the page. This competitive advantage helps to channel traffic to your site rather than to competitors. |
| Boosts Rankings | Optimizing for featured snippets not only increases visibility but also enhances overall SEO efforts. Snippets can contribute to improved organic search rankings by driving more traffic, reducing bounce rates, and increasing user engagement with your content. |
| Better User Experience | Featured snippets provide immediate, concise answers to user queries right on the search results page, enhancing user satisfaction by saving time and effort in finding relevant information. This improves overall user experience and encourages users to engage more deeply with your site. |
Types of Featured Snippets
Featured snippets come in various formats, each suited to different types of queries and content. Understanding these types can help you optimize your content effectively to increase the chances of being featured. Let’s explore the different types of featured snippets.
1. Paragraph Snippets
Paragraph snippets provide a concise answer to a user’s query in paragraph form. They are often used for queries that require a brief explanation or definition. Here is an example;
How to Optimize for Paragraph Snippets:
- Clear and Concise: Provide a direct answer to the query within 40-50 words.
- Answer the Query Directly: Ensure your content directly addresses the user’s question without unnecessary details.
- Use Structured Data: Implement structured data markup (like Schema.org) to help Google understand your content better.
2. List Snippets
List snippets present information in a numbered or bulleted list format. They are ideal for step-by-step guides, recipes, or any content that can be structured into a list.
Example:
How to Optimize List Google Featured Snippets:
- Structured Format: Use HTML list tags (like
<ol>for ordered lists or<ul>for unordered lists). - Numbered or Bulleted: Choose the appropriate list format based on the nature of the content.
- Clear Steps: Ensure each list item provides a clear, actionable step or point.
3. Table Snippets
Table snippets display information in a tabular format. They are commonly used for comparisons, data sets, or any content that benefits from a structured table layout. Here is an example;
How to Optimize For Table Snippets
- Clear Structure: Use headers and rows to clearly define and organize data.
- Use HTML Tables: Implement tables using HTML
<table>tags with appropriate<th>(table header) and<td>(table data) elements. - Provide Relevant Data: Ensure the table includes valuable information that directly answers the user’s query.
4. Video Snippets
Video snippets feature a video clip that directly addresses the user’s query. They are increasingly popular, especially for “how-to” or instructional queries.
Example:
How to Optimize Video Snippets:
- High-Quality Video: Produce clear and informative videos that directly answer common queries.
- Optimize Video Metadata: Use descriptive titles, tags, and descriptions that include relevant keywords.
- Video Transcripts: Provide a transcript of the video to help search engines understand the content.
How to Optimize for Featured Snippets
Optimizing your content for featured snippets can significantly increase your visibility and attract more organic traffic. Here’s how to do it effectively:
1. Identify Featured Snippet Opportunities
Start by identifying keywords that already trigger featured snippets in search results. This indicates that Google recognizes these queries as suitable for snippet display.
How?
- Manual Search: Conduct individual searches for targeted keywords to observe if a featured snippet appears.
- Use Tools: Utilize SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find keywords with existing featured snippets. These tools can streamline the process by highlighting opportunities directly.
2. Optimize For That Specific Featured Snippet
Once you’ve identified a target snippet, optimize your content to increase the likelihood of Google selecting it for the featured snippet.
- Type of Snippet: Determine the type of snippet Google favors for your target keyword (e.g., Definition, Table, Ordered List).
- Content Optimization: Craft a concise, direct answer or format your content as per the preferred snippet type. For example, for a Definition snippet, provide a clear definition within the first 40-60 words of your content.
3. Optimize Content Structure
Structured content is key to snagging a featured snippet. Format your content to align with Google’s preferences for snippet selection.
- Header Tags: Use H2 or H3 tags to segment content clearly, especially for steps in an ordered list. Label each step (e.g., “Step #1: Do X”) for clarity.
- Table Optimization: If aiming for a table snippet, ensure your HTML uses
<tr>tags to present data clearly. Google often pulls tabular information directly from well-formatted tables.
4. Craft Concise Answers
For definition snippets, provide a succinct, informative answer within the first 40-60 words of your content. This should directly address the query and be objective.
- Example: Ensure your definition resembles a dictionary entry to meet Google’s preference for factual information devoid of opinions. Like in this below:
5. Target Long-Tail Keywords
Optimize for long-tail variations of your main keyword. These specific queries are more likely to trigger featured snippets, especially in voice searches.
- Content Expansion: Include sections or FAQs that cover related long-tail variations. This broadens your snippet opportunities and enhances overall content relevance.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, featured snippets are powerful tools in the world of SEO, offering prime real estate on search engine results pages (SERPs) to showcase your content directly to users. Understanding the types of snippets and optimizing your content accordingly can significantly boost your visibility and drive organic traffic to your website.
By following the strategies outlined above—identifying opportunities, structuring content effectively, and targeting long-tail keywords—you can enhance your chances of appearing in featured snippets. These snippets not only improve your site’s visibility but also establish your authority and credibility in your industry.
Ready to boost your SEO and secure featured snippets for your content? Let Sell Genius help you optimize your website and content strategy today. Contact us to schedule a consultation and start maximizing your online presence with proven SEO techniques.
