A featured snippet is a box at the top of Google results that shows a direct answer to the user's question, such as a definition, the steps of a task, or a list. Its text is taken from a page Google considers a good answer, and below it is a link to that page.
What forms does it take?#
- Paragraph: a definition or short explanation.
- List: steps or items.
- Table: comparisons and data.
- Sometimes video.
Why is it valuable?#
It has a very prominent position and can show you ahead of the other results. However, sometimes the user reads the answer right there and doesn't click, so its value depends on the type of search.
Example#
A search for "fix WordPress memory error" may show a list of three steps. A page that identifies the problem and explains it under a question-style heading with a two-to-three-sentence answer has a better chance.
How can we improve our chances?#
- State the question as a heading.
- Right below it, write a direct, short answer.
- Use clean lists and tables.
- Give the rest of the content depth too, so the reader stays.
- Have a proper heading structure.
An important note#
Nobody can guarantee being selected. Google decides by itself and may change over time.
A common mistake#
Writing an answer that is vague or so long it can't be extracted. Write the text for a person who has just one question.