Have you noticed that a box with little content is displayed in some searches performed on Google?
This result is called a featured snippet, also known as Google’s “zero position,” and it usually shows recipes, tutorials, tables, detailed definitions, etc.
The idea of featured snippets is to answer the user’s survey without visiting a page directly. Thus, the search engine can achieve one of its main objectives: to optimize the experience of those who do the research.
Undoubtedly, one of the main objectives of a search engine is to improve the browsing experience for its users, so Google featured fragments that offer concrete and direct answers through artificial intelligence.
It is crucial to know the type of featured snippet that Google shows for search queries where you want to have the snippet. There are a few different ways – paragraph, numbered list, list of labels, table, and video. Gaining more featured snippets is a simple way to increase organic traffic to your site potentially.
Although Google’s automatic systems determine the highlighted fragments, we share a series of points to take into account –
You must define the main idea of the topic in your content’s first lines because that way, the automatic systems will quickly identify it. And it can be taken into account by Google to appear in the fragments.
Another point to consider is that you need to include 5W (questions: What, Who, How, When, Where, and because) in your primary content. That way, it will be completely content.
The content extracted from the portals typically goes from 40 to 50 words so that it is decisive and understandable.
After SEO optimization, if your website is well positioned, it will appear when searching (either in writing or by voice search). Likewise, by clicking on the featured snippet, users will directly visit the web page that originated the response, thus generating more traffic and improving your CTR.
The content must be written in a way that can be understood by any user, and how you would like them to speak to you or answer any question.
Including step-by-step instructions, listings, and leader boards in your content are a great differentiator for Google’s artificial intelligence system.
If you are already in position 0 for some featured snippets, you need to make sure you maintain that position. So it’s all about keeping each of your cuts featured. Keep your content updated, and try to make sure that both the question and the answer are short enough to fit in the scrapbook. It must match your content to the current format of the clipping.
Google’s featured snippets come from pages that are in the Top 10. So your next best option is to find your content that is already well ranked and could be optimized for a featured snippet. You can see if your competitors are ranking featured snippets in the same way you’ve checked your site. Once you’ve identified a goal, you’ll need to create better content optimized for featured snippets.
The next step is to conduct traditional keyword research. Use long-tail keywords. Best practices suggest that writing in-depth content that covers topics will naturally include hundreds of long-tail keywords. Use questions, prepositions, and comparisons. For paragraph snippets, you must consist of question keywords. But, on the other hand, you can use preposition keywords for comparison keywords and lists. You must know what your readers are asking about the product/service.
Google is brilliant about extracting data from a web page and turning it into a featured snippet. However, there is no reason why you should not optimize your content to increase your chances of earning the coveted zero position. Each type of featured snippet requires a different approach when formatting content. You will have to consider the number of words you use and how you respond to the possible search query.
It will help if you start by creating engaging content that your readers and Google-like. Remember that you need to be in the Top 10 before you have a chance to get to Position 0. And the best way to be in the Top 10 is to produce high quality, reliable, useful, engaging, and remarkable content.
Use headings and subtitles to divide your content into logical sections. Give your content a better format: H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, and H6, also the primary paragraph. Follow a hierarchy for a natural flow. Format your content’s main body as a paragraph, list, or box based on your presenting information. Use paragraphs for definitions or explanatory answers. Use bullets or numbered lists for an item list or multi-step process. Use tables for data presentation or comparisons, etc.
Ranking at position 0 with a featured snippet is nothing too scary at all. However, you must know that achieving position 0 is a slow process. It includes several contributing factors. Google shows us that it seeks to provide a better experience to its users, making it easier for them to navigate. No specific setting, label, or procedure places you as a featured snippet. When a user searches, Google’s automated systems determine whether a website is relevant to that query. And if so, it shows it as a featured snippet at the top of search results. It is always recommended to consult with a professional programmer, content writer, or other specialists.