Google featured snippets are really taking of in 2020, and give a huge boost to user experience. They also stand out on the SERP, so are you trying to rank on the #1 spot on Google? Try leveraging Google featured snippets!
How?
- Keep it Simple and Short (KISS)
- Carefully Pick a Keyword
- Know What Your Searchers Want
- Create a Quality Content to Suit
- Use Image and Videos to Boost Engagement
Indeed, 2020 came with so many changes. I’m not talking about the social restrictions only. Google also effected some changes in its ranking system. In its usual tradition, Google rolled out a set of updates for 2020. And this means new SEO best practices. You might have noticed your SEO hacks going south lately. Yeah, that’s because things have changed. A little, though. But isn’t that all you need to make a big difference?!
A major change in the recent upgrade points to the traditional ranking system. Prior to this upgrade, hitting the precious featured snippet (FS) position means you automatically occupy the first spot on Google. Well, not anymore. A link on the FS spot no longer appears among the search links. Consequently, Google’s featured snippet spot is the new #1 result. Yes, you read right!
Although the FS spot has been largely lauded for attracting massive traffic, with it being the new #1 position, it has become more enticing than ever. So, when tweaking your SEO game, remember FS does the magic.
In this article, I took the time to answer some of your FAQs like what is google featured snippet, its benefits, types of featured snippet, and how to leverage Google featured snippet. Let’s get you ready for success. Shall we?
What are Google Featured Snippets?
I am pretty sure you have come across that special box at the top of every search engine result page (SERP) that carries the exact answer to your question. Exactly! That is a featured snippet.
Basically, Google fish out a web page that did a great job answering a question and place it before the first link. So, you have a box with a short and concise answer before the first link on the SERP. This box is often referred to as Google featured snippet.
Why Should I Bother about Google Featured Snippts?
Why all the buzz about featured snippet? Do I really need to worry about getting the FS spot? Why change my SEO practices for the featured snippet?
I’m glad you asked. Short answer – Massive traffic. The whole essence of carrying out SEO practices is to attract more traffic, increase your brand awareness, and ultimately make more sales. If this still remains your goal, then you really do need the FS spot.
Here is why!
As you know already, the number of visitors that clicks on a web page reduces as the page number increases. It is simple. A web page on page 5 will most likely get fewer visitors compared to one on page 1.
In the same vein, a web page on the first link of page 1 will get more clicks compared to one on the last link of page 1, as you can clearly see in this graph:
Click Through Rate by Position
Unfortunately, achieving the first link on Google has been a myth for most bloggers. This is because there are a ton of factors that determines how well your web page ranks.
Thankfully, there is a hack. You can totally have your contents displayed on the top page without necessarily occupying the first link. Google featured snippets do the trick!
Types of Featured Snippets
List
As a regular searcher, I bet you have seen this type of FS on Google. List snippets typically appear as bullet points or numbers. They usually represent the individual points featured in a listicle article.
Featured Snippet List
Table
With Tabular featured snippet accounting for 30% of the entire Google featured snippet, it is not shocking to see this type of FS on regular SERPs.
Pro tip: Ensure your table contains up to 4 rows worth of data. This shows that you have an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
Featured Snippet Table
Paragraph
This has to be the most common snippet on SERPs. A paragraph snippet is more of an excerpt of your content. It includes one or more paragraphs of the featured result. This FS is usually short and straight-to-the-point. You can include detailed answers later.
Featured Snippet Paragraph
Step by Step
If you are based in the DIY section, then you might consider targeting this kind of featured snippet. Generally, this FS is used to proffer DIY answers. Instead of reading the complete work, DIY searchers are looking for a quick and easy-to-understand step by step answer to guide them in their various projects.
Featured Snippet DIY
How to Optimize Contents for Featured Snippet
Of course, every blogger wants to gain this prestigious position. However, only one web page can occupy the FS spot at a time. How do you ensure your content is fit for Google featured snippet?
1. Keep it Simple and Short (KISS)
Irrespective of the type of featured snippet you are aiming for, you have to obey the KISS rule to reach your goal. Prior to the December 2017 update, FS was supposed to be no longer than 165 characters. However, this rule has been updated to allow up to 266 characters.
Nonetheless, to stand out from the crowd, experts recommend you stick with a short and concise answer to whatever keyword you are ranking for. Don’t forget to make your answer rich. You can add a call to action (CTA) to ensure visitors read the complete article after getting the short answer.
2. Carefully Pick a Keyword
If SEO was the heart of your blog, keywords will be the veins that ensure blood gets into the heart to keep it beating. In other words, choosing the right keyword is key to achieving your SEO game.
That said, it is critical to understand the role keywords also play in featured snippet. For every question a searcher plugs into Google, there is a keyword embedded in it that helps google spit out relevant answers. Further, each of these SERPs that Google spits out contains one FS. Therefore, every FS ranks for a keyword.
With that in mind, you have to take the time to meticulously research for keywords that your competitors are ranking for. There are a number of tools to help you with this task. You could use SEMRush, Moz Pro, or Ahrefs. Whatever rocks your boat. The goal is to get an FS-worthy keyword. Take your time!
3. Know What Your Searchers Want
Another vital hack is to understand what your searchers want. Having picked a target keyword, it is essential to understand what your searchers want so you can provide the right answer to their question. Needless to state that a keyword can appear in multiple questions. To ensure your content gets to the right audience, you have to understand what your target audience needs and proffer a solution to that exact problem.
To identify exactly what your searchers are looking for, you can employ some online tools or use the People Also Ask section on SERPs.
4. Create a Quality Content to Suit
Now you know know the FS-worthy keywords your competitors are ranking for and questions your target audience would likely ask, it is time to create a quality content to suit. Yes, it is not enough to have a keyword or a list of possible questions. You have to craft these into a quality topic.
To get started, you can check Answer Public for content ideas. Just fix in your keyword in the search bar and it will spit out tons of topic ideas for that keyword. Now, get working!
5. Use Image and Videos to Boost Engagement
Whether you are targeting a pictorial FS or not, adding an image or video will go a long way to boost engagement on your page. Of course, it draws in more visitors. Even more, Google is known to include pictures in some FS. Sometimes these photos are not gotten from the same content. So, you can cap on this trick to make it to Google featured snippet spot.
