Have you tracked the performance of your website for the last couple of months? If you have, then you’ll probably notice that Google doesn’t generate as much traffic as it used to. This can be a result of some of the changes the platform has made. With this consideration, opting for the new features introduced will help you optimize your content to Google’s recent changes.
So what are featured snippets, and what are they for? Read on to find out.
What are Featured Snippets?
Featured snippets are the chosen search results that get featured on Google’s top results page after the ads in a box. These are short snippets of text that show up on results to answer the user’s query directly. These snippets draw the exact answer from the website’s content and highlight it on the top of Google search results to instantly give the searcher what they are looking for.
They usually contain a single listing, although at times, more might appear. Also known as answer boxes with URLs, they are meant to address the searcher’s question right away. The featuring aspect is for getting more brand recognition on search results. The content on featured snippets is automatically derived from the web pages in Google’s index.
Every featured snippet has a link to the web page, and in most cases, an image might be included.
Types of Featured Snippets
There are different ways of how featured snippets are projected. Some of the types of featured snippets include;
- Paragraph – This is the most common type of featured snippets that appears on search results. Paragraphs often get into details about factual questions from a searcher. They address content in detail but small enough to fit the small space allocated for featured snippets. A typical search question to get a paragraph includes one or two-word searches.
- Table – If you’ve searched for differences between two things or comparisons, you’ll likely see a table as a featured snippet. Numerical data is also displayed in tables on the featured snippets most of the time. The tables break down the search results and group them into the most straightforward way possible for a searcher to get what they are looking for. A common question that shows featured snippets in tables includes the differences between two things.
- List – Lists often display if you’re looking for a properly structured point on something in particular. Such featured snippets are meant for outlining the several features, properties, or components of something. Common questions for listing featured snippets include points about a particular topic (pros, cons, benefits, etc.).
- Steps – Steps search results on featured snippets are meant to outline the guidelines on performing a particular task. They come up if a searcher is looking for instructions on fixing something, installing, repairing, examining, cooking, etc.
- Descriptions – Such featured snippets are usually short. They give a brief explanation of a searcher’s question. The answer to the queries – what is __? They are still part of the paragraph featured snippets, only that they address a particular query.
Most Featured Queries
It is essential to know that most web pages on featured snippets rank top 10 in Google search results. However, there’s a systematic way Google works with the algorithm of fixing these featured snippets. However, in most cases, you will probably find wikipedia.org on the featured snippets. Well, that’s because its results are reliable, well-researched, and factual. To beat that, you have to look out for the commonly features questions to get a space on the ‘answer box.’
Some of the most featured questions include:
- Health
- Mathematical
- Status
- DIY processes
- Financial
- Requirements
- Transitional.
Some of the most met words on featured snippets include a recipe, best, vs., make, definition, can, windows, get, number, cost, and meaning. On the other hand, some of the questions that don’t have answer boxes include local, shopping, images, and videos.
What is it for?
Google began displaying featured snippets when they realized the format assists people in finding what they are looking for easily. Other than the content presented on the featured snippet, which usually answers the question directly, a link follows for more content on the web page. This model is appropriate for those who use mobile versions and voice search.
Featured snippets are entirely made for the users, although websites benefit in a way. To simplify the use of Google, a user need to get what they are looking for. That is why the featured snippets are there. However, the ranking on featured snippets is not only based on the top ranking of websites on Google because featured snippets cover more than that.
Since it is meant for a user-friendly experience, some factors such as user reviews might matter. Getting to the # 1 spot in search results on Google has tremendously changed, and there’s a need to use a different strategy to boost your SEO.
Why is it Important?
The main reason why featured snippets are essential is that it helps build and market brands according to their content and how they project information on their web pages. This gives opportunities to the small brands to take the stage and rank higher on search results. However, to do so, you have to consider the opportunities available to be featured.
Opportunities on Featured Snippets
Finding out the topics that commonly appear on the featured snippets is only but a first step. You have to move forward to identify the opportunities available to address the questions of the searchers. Some of the opportunities available include;
- The typical keyword research – Consider the keywords commonly used on the search engine by users.
- Check out the ‘People also ask’ section – The section offers additional questions concerning the same topic, which gives you alternatives.
- Focus on search questions that you already rank high on – Concentrate on the topics you are already performing well.
- Get it from the searchers – Ask people, friends, followers, customers, and readers what they want to know.
- Monitor questions asked on social media – Questions on Twitter, in particular, will give you a hint on what people want to find out.
Optimizing for Featured Snippets
If you want to build your brand, then being included in featured snippets is a step ahead of your competitors. So how can you get the content on your web pages to appear on featured snippets? There are tips and tricks that you can utilize to optimize your featured snippets.
Tips on Optimizing for Featured Snippets
Some of the points to consider to get the most out of the featured snippets opportunities include;
- Begin with on-page SEO
- Target to answer every question concisely
- Organize your points well
- Be factual
- Ensure a single article address multiple questions
- Properly organize your questions
- Include some eye-catching images in your articles
- Re-upload and update images
- Monitor your progress.
With the above tips, you stand a chance to improve your chances of getting your content included in featured snippets. But where would you start from? Do you get to do everything at once, or is there a procedure to follow?
Procedure to Optimize for Featured Snippets
There’s a systematic way to carry out the optimization for featured snippets. If you choose to use all the tips, you might be disappointed after all the efforts. This procedure helps you know where you can fully make the most out of the tricks. The precise process to use is;
- Look for featured snippets opportunities
- Add ‘Snippet Bait’ to your web page
- Format your content to fit that on featured snippets.
Featured snippets are the new search results determinant that every brand should look out for. Not only does it market your web page, but it also gets good user reviews. However, you will have to improve your SEO ranking to get the high chances of your content landing on featured snippets.
If you need help, contact an SEO Expert today for the best solutions in SEO matters to hike your chances for featured snippets.
