Jul 12, 2023

Google’s Featured Snippets: What They Are and Why They’re Important

If you've ever searched for information on Google, you've likely come across a featured snippet. These are the boxes that appear at the top of some search results, displaying a summary of the information that you're looking for. Featured snippets are designed to provide users with quick, concise answers to their queries. They are also an important tool for businesses and website owners looking to improve their online visibility.

 

What Are Featured Snippets?

Featured snippets are a type of rich snippet that appears at the top of Google’s search results. They are designed to provide users with a quick answer to their query without having to click through to a website. Featured snippets typically include a summary of the content on a page, along with an image or other visual element. They are also known as "answer boxes" or "position zero" because they appear before the first organic search result.

 

Why Are Featured Snippets Beneficial?

Featured snippets can be incredibly beneficial for businesses and website owners for several reasons. First, they can improve your website’s visibility in Google search results. Since featured snippets appear at the top of the page, they are often the first thing that users see when they search for a specific query. This can help drive more traffic to your website, as users are more likely to click on a featured snippet than they are on a regular search result.

 

Second, featured snippets can help establish your website as an authority in your industry. If your website appears in a featured snippet, it signals to users that your content is high-quality and relevant to their query. This can help build trust with your audience and improve your website’s reputation online.

Finally, featured snippets can help improve the user experience on your website. Since users can get a quick answer to their query from the featured snippet, they may be more likely to stay on your website and explore other content. This can lead to increased engagement and a better overall user experience.

How Do I Get My Website on a Featured Snippet?

Getting your website to appear in a featured snippet can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips to help you optimise your content for featured snippets:

Focus on answering common questions: Featured snippets are designed to provide quick answers to common questions. To increase your chances of appearing in a featured snippet, focus on creating content that answers frequently asked questions in your industry.

Use clear and concise language: Featured snippets typically feature short, concise answers to a query. Make sure your content is easy to read and understand, and use language that is clear and to the point.

Structure your content: Google prefers content that is well-structured and easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, and other formatting elements to make your content easier to scan.

Optimise your meta descriptions: Google often uses the meta description of a page to create a featured snippet. Make sure your meta descriptions are clear and concise, and focus on answering the user’s query.

 

Experts in the Google World

Featured snippets are an important tool for businesses and website owners looking to improve their online visibility. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of appearing in a featured snippet and driving more traffic to your website.

Our team here at Squid Group NZ are experts in the Google world. As a full-service New Zealand digital marketing agency we can help your business to deliver significant results not only on Google but on all digital platforms. 

Contact our team of Google experts today to see how Squid Group can help.