What Are Featured Snippets?

Have you ever typed a question into Google and noticed that sometimes, you get an answer right at the top of the search results, often in a box? That’s called a featured snippet. It’s Google’s way of providing a quick, concise answer to your query without you having to click through to a website. Sometimes after scrolling past a few results you’ll discover a list of questions and answers; those are also featured snippets. At the moment, the landscape of featured snippets is shifting with the introduction of AI into search. However, the process for your content being highlighted seems to be fundamentally unchanged.

What Is Schema?

How do you get your website’s content as a featured snippet? Schema. Schema is a type of code you can add to your website to help search engines understand your content better. Think of it as giving search engines a little extra help to know what your site is about. When search engines have this extra information, they can display your content in more attractive ways like in those featured snippets or even in rich results like star ratings and event details.

How Does This Relate to SEO?

By using schema markup, you’re making it easier for search engines to read and rank your content. And if you can land a featured snippet, your content gets prime positioning on the search results page, often leading to more clicks and higher traffic.

In essence, featured snippets and schema are tools that can help your website stand out in search results, making it easier for potential visitors to find you and boosting your SEO efforts.

What Tasks Are Involved in Getting Featured Snippets?

• Use Schema Markup: Add schema markup to your website to help search engines understand your content better. This is a bit technical and best left to professionals. There are plugins for content management systems like WordPress that will guide users, but it is still important to test the markup once it’s in place.
• Ensure High-Quality Content: It is often repeated in the world of SEO but cannot be overstated: Content is king. Make sure your content is accurate, well-researched, and valuable to your audience.
• Include Definitions: Provide clear definitions for important terms and concepts in your niche. If your competitor’s websites use jargon, then your site can be the one to bring clarity.
• Create How-To Guides: Develop step-by-step guides or tutorials, as these often get featured.
• Organize Content Logically: Use bullet points, numbered lists, and tables to make your content easy to scan. The easier it is to skim, the more likely it is to be found helpful.
• Use Simple, Clear Language: Write in a straightforward manner to make it easy for search engines to understand and feature your content. For help, consider using tools such as Grammarly, Hemingway, or other free writing tools.
• Optimize for Long-Tail Keywords: Target specific, detailed phrases that are more likely to trigger featured snippets. The more specific you are, the more likely you’ll have the best content for that search phrase.
• Answer Questions Clearly: Create content that directly answers common questions related to your topic. Use headers to structure these questions. If your content sets out to answer a question, make sure the answer can be found quickly.

Incorporating these strategies will increase your chances of securing a featured snippet, thereby increasing your website’s visibility and likely driving more organic traffic.