When it comes to a massive company like Google, it seems like there’s something new every day, from a technological gadget to a change in how you search up questions. A new thing that you might have been recently seeing when you search for something on Google is one result being spotlighted above the rest.
A Google featured snippet showcases a portion of a page that the search engine believes provides the best information for the query. For example, if you type in, “How long can a cold last?,” you’re likely to see a featured snippet from a healthcare provider with the highlighted answer (seven to 10 days, by the way) by a trustworthy healthcare source.
Read on to learn about what a Google featured snippet is and how to get one.
What to know about a Google featured snippet
A featured snippet on Google refers to text excerpts, charts or videos that are displayed at the top of search engine result pages. The goal of these snippets is to give the most straightforward information about a topic or question that the algorithm deems as trustworthy.
A Google featured snippet is different from the AI Overview, which can also be found on the result pages. While the featured snippet showcases an actual section from one of the results, the AI Overview is a summary of information, in either blocks of text or bullets, that are pulled from more than one source. Essentially, the featured snippet gives you an answer straight from the best source, while the overview gives you a relatively comprehensive overview of the entire topic.
How to get a Google featured snippet
Let’s face it: Getting the featured snippet is like getting the gold medal. It’s saying, “I have the right answer. Trust me and what I can offer you.” Scoring a Google featured snippet can have a significant impact on your search engine optimization (SEO) performance, including a boost in website traffic, brand visibility and conversions.
Getting a Google featured snippet isn’t a quick process, and it’s all up to how you’re viewed by the algorithm. There are many contributing factors to being featured, including authority and high-quality content. However, there are a few strategies worth testing out that can increase your chance of your content being highlighted in a featured snippet, including:
- Summarize when possible — Since a featured snippet is often an excerpt, it can be helpful to have the answer to a question — and the broader information — in a quick summary. This can mean summarizing the topic or question as directly and succinctly as possible. A summary makes it easy for the algorithm to quickly grab onto a brief yet effective section.
- Use pointed headers — If you’re trying to answer a question, such as, “What is causing my back pain?,” try using a header in the content that directly answers the question. While most high-quality content has headers and subheaders, it’s important that the header shows the algorithm that you have an answer to the query that people are searching for. In this case, a possible header could be “5 potential causes of your back pain.”
- Include photos — Attention-grabbing imagery can play a significant role in a person clicking on a source for a result page. The algorithm understands the power of photos, which is why a photo often accompanies the featured snippet. By including an image in your content, it gives the algorithm more to work with.
At BURG+CO., we understand the ins and outs of SEO, including the power of new Google updates, such as featured snippets. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll have a featured snippet for every relevant search, we can help you implement strategies that give the best chance of aligning with what the algorithm is looking for.
Want to attract new visitors to your website from a featured snippet? BURG+CO. can help
Increasing traffic to your website plays a role in increasing conversions and leading to new clients. However, it’s difficult to attract visitors to your site when you don’t know what to do. Fortunately, this is what we specialize in at BURG+CO.
Our team has years of experience in helping businesses improve their digital presence to attract new leads and retain existing ones. If you’re looking to perform better in search engine results and attract more visitors to your site, we’re ready to talk to you to see how we can help. Contact our team today for more information about digital marketing or to schedule a complimentary consultation.
