Featured Snippet

A featured snippet is a SERP feature that displays a direct answer extracted from a top-ranking page, shown above the standard organic results. Sometimes called "position zero" because it appears before result number one. Common formats include paragraph snippets, numbered or bulleted lists, tables, and short videos.

Featured snippets are eligible only for URLs already ranking in the top 10 (typically the top 5) for the target query. They are not awarded based on a separate ranking; Google picks the snippet from existing organic results based on which page best answers the user's specific question.

Earning a featured snippet typically lifts a URL's total click-through, but the impact is mixed. For informational queries where the snippet fully answers the question ("what is the capital of France"), users often do not click through — Google has effectively given them the answer. For more complex queries, the snippet acts as a teaser and drives clicks. Track both impressions and CTR per snippet-eligible query to understand the net effect for your specific pages.

Optimisation patterns. For paragraph snippets: include a clear, concise definition near the top of the article, typically 40–60 words, written as a complete standalone sentence. For list snippets: structure content with clear ordered or unordered HTML lists with descriptive item text. For table snippets: use real HTML tables with sensible header rows. Match the format to what is currently winning the snippet — examine the existing snippet for the target query and structure your content similarly.

Google has reduced featured snippet prevalence over time, particularly in 2024 and 2025 as AI Overviews have expanded. AI Overviews now appear at the top of many informational SERPs and often subsume the role featured snippets used to play. The opportunity is shifting — informational content that earns inclusion in AI Overview citations now matters at least as much as classic snippet optimisation.

Schema Markup does not directly cause featured snippets, but structured data including FAQPage and HowTo formats interact with snippet selection on specific query types. The dominant signal remains content structure and direct answer quality.

For any query you target where a snippet currently exists, the winning URL is your benchmark. Match or exceed its directness and structure.