Google’s featured snippet is what an internet user sees when your website or blog pops up at the top of the search results page. Naturally, the question on everyone’s mind is – how to optimize your content for Google’s featured snippet. This snippet is not only helpful to the user but also beneficial for you in several ways.

What Is a featured snippet?

A featured snippet is a search response that is present at the top of a search engine results page that also has a summary of the answers taken from that page. Snippets can include images, the source of the page title, and the page URL.

Featured snippets are perfect because they are not exactly advertisements, but they do get you more traffic depending on where they are placed. According to studies, featured snippets drive 10% more traffic to the web page. They also increase the click-through rates by 6%.

Ways to Optimize Your Content for Google’s Featured Snippet

Featured snippets can be practically anything. They can be in forms of tables, lists, paragraphs, and even videos. If you want to learn more about how to optimize your content for Google’s featured snippets, here are ten ways to do so.

1. Keywords are Essential

Your keywords can make or break your chance to be featured on Google’s featured snippet. Make sure that your keywords are exactly what people are searching for. Try using long-tail keywords. People mostly type sentences on Google that start with ‘How to’ or ‘How does’ or ‘What is’ or ‘Why is’. Using sentences that include these words can increase your chances of appearing on the featured snippet. If your keywords are mostly question-based, you might just make it to Google’s featured snippet.

2. Answer Questions in Your Content

If you use copywriting services, this is very easy for you. One of the key reasons why people don’t make it to Google’s featured snippet is because they don’t actually answer the questions that the user is asking.

Yes, you’ve used long-tail keywords, but you answer the question clearly in your content. You can give a heading or a subheading to the question/answer they are looking for and then give a detailed answer under that heading. This will bring you a step closer to being featured on Google’s snippet.

3. Stay Within the Word Count

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that featured snippets are based on word count. If your word count is very high, you probably won’t be featured. Make sure you stay within Google’s word count limit so you have a greater chance to show up on the featured snippet spot.

4. Lists Will Help

A great way to increase your chances to be featured on Google’s featured snippet is by making lists in your text. For example, if you’re writing a recipe for a dish, make a list of all the ingredients and then talk about the process. Google prefers lists since they are efficient and easy to read through. You can use SEO content writing services for this purpose.

5. Add a ‘How To’ Section on Your Webpage

If your website has a ‘How To’ section, not only will it attract more traffic, but it will also definitely increase your chances of making it on Google’s featured snippet. Your ‘How To’ section can include Q&A’s. You can even add frequently asked questions about your services and products to this section to make it easier for the customer to search for and find exactly what they’re looking for. 

6. Add Images and Videos

It is no secret that images and videos attract more viewers. According to a study, 59% of people are more likely to read a block of text if there’s a video included. If you only add text, it might not attract as many viewers because people tend to get bored or overwhelmed with huge paragraphs.

If videos and pictures are attached, it will automatically make it easier for them to browse through your web page.

7. Use Google to See What People Are Looking For

One of the easiest ways to find out what the audience wants is by using Google itself. Use Google to keep an eye out for what people are searching for on the internet and what they want. You can also click on the questions on Google’s first page to see what people are asking Google these days.

8. Back-up Your Research

A great way to make it to Google’s featured snippet is by providing content that is accurate and verified. The accurate you are, the more Google and your audience will trust you. If you have your research or data backed up with relevant research, and it’s easily available on your web page, your chances to be featured increase.

9. Organize Your Website

Even if you’ve got the word count down and have the relevant information available – being organized is key. If your web page is not organized and is hard to browse through, you might just not make it to Google’s featured snippet. Make certain that your web page is not only quick to browse through but also user-friendly.

10. Analyze Your Performance

Yes, you’re doing all the right things but don’t let it get to your head. Always keep revising. If you think your web page needs tweaking, do it now. Always make sure to analyze your performance through the various metrics that are available to you. You can even use tools provided to you by Google to get a better idea of how your site is performing and where you can improve it. Be sure to monitor your analytics because Google will do it, too.

If you’re looking to take that coveted spot and be on Google’s featured snippet for a particular search term, then these are some of the ways that you can go about trying to achieve that.