Featured Snippets

Highlighted search results displayed in a special box at the top of Google’s results, designed to provide quick, direct answers.

SEO

Definition

Featured snippets are specially selected results that Google displays in a box above the regular search listings, often referred to as “position zero.” Their purpose is to deliver direct, concise answers to user questions without requiring the user to click through to a website. Featured snippets are seen as an early version of AI-driven answer boxes and have influenced the development of Google’s AI overviews.

These snippets pull relevant text, lists, or tables from webpages to address a query immediately. While they can boost brand visibility, they may also reduce click-through rates since users often find the answer directly in the snippet. Featured snippets represent Google’s shift toward providing answers rather than just directing users to sources.

Examples of Featured Snippets

1 Definition-style snippets providing clear answers to “What is…” or “Who is…” type queries.

2 List snippets that outline step-by-step instructions, rankings, or bullet-pointed answers.

3 Table snippets that organize and present comparative or numerical data directly within search results.

Frequently Asked Questions about Featured Snippets

The main types include paragraph (definition-style), list (steps or rankings), and table snippets. Each format is chosen based on the query and the content structure.

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