Google’s increased use of Featured Snippets means increased competition for ranking in this prime real estate of the SERP. To be featured, you should create concise, informative content that answers the user’s query directly. Optimize your content by using header tags, bullet points, and tables to present information clearly and succinctly. Additionally, ensure your website is accessible and mobile-friendly, as Google prioritizes these factors in determining Featured Snippet candidates.
The upside of ranking in a Featured Snippet is improved visibility, but is it worth it? This article by a Cleveland SEO services firm provides tips on optimizing content for this type of ranking and increasing organic traffic to your website.
Tips for Optimizing Content for Featured Snippets
Securing “position 0” in Google Featured Snippets requires proper formatting of website content and optimized SEO. If your content already ranks high for a query, you have a good chance of being featured.
To increase your chances, you can:
- Provide a more comprehensive answer
- Optimize on-page SEO
Additional optimization tips include:
1. Search for Your Competitors’ Featured Snippets on Google.
Start planning, implementing, and optimizing your content by checking your competitor’s keyword groups. Some tweaks and updates to your keywords may increase your chances of ranking for a featured snippet. Analyzing your competitor’s content that ranks as a featured snippet can give you valuable insights.
2. Check the Keywords Used in Existing Snippets.
After completing the topic content, it’s crucial to determine the keywords in existing featured snippets. Keyword research is critical to creating compelling content, particularly for a featured snippet. Discover and respond to the most commonly asked questions from your target audience.
3. Learn Everything About User Search Intent.
Optimizing for Google featured snippets involves comprehending the purpose behind each search query.
Three groups of people search for your keywords:
- Prospective customers
- Influencers who influence prospective customers to buy from you
- Competitors
Though each search may have a different objective, the content should be informative and user-friendly for a smooth navigation experience when users click through it.
4. Focus on Providing Brief, Direct Answers.
Google prefers concise answers for Featured Snippets, usually in a paragraph of 46 words on average. To optimize for this format, consider re-structuring your blog posts by asking a question as a subtitle, answering it in 50 words or less, then elaborating on the topic. This style enhances readability and satisfies Google’s preference for long-form content, known as “pillar content” or “cornerstone content,” which includes many images and is organized into subsections.
5. Gather Inspiration from the “People Also Ask” Section.
Discover more profound insights into a topic by exploring Google’s “People also ask” section in search results. This section provides valuable information on the questions Google considers relevant, giving you more options for exploring the topic. To uncover additional opportunities, assume monitoring Twitter for related queries.
6. Arrange Data and Facts.
The most widespread type of featured snippet is one that follows text passages. Structured content such as comparison charts and lists is more likely to be featured, as Google favors organized data. Google may extract information from other websites if they contain suitable tables, even during brand-related searches.
7. Check Your Content’s Format.
Google’s featured snippets can come in various forms. The format of your content will depend on the type of featured snippet you plan to use.
If you desire a table format, organize your answers in a table. When aiming for a list snippet, ensure that the items are clearly labeled with headings or in list format.
Tips for formatting your blog post for Google featured snippets:
- Utilize header tags like H1, H2, and H3 for header descriptions.
- Write concise, impactful sentences that provide quick answers.
- Employ bullet points or tables to create numbered lists.
- Add a relevant image related to the question being answered in the snippet.
- Consider your reader’s experience, such as the information’s usefulness and readability.
8. Stick to the Appropriate Word Count.
Snippets are typically 40-50 words in length. Keep answers brief and direct. Answers should be at most 58 words.
9. Include High-Quality Images.
Use custom or authentic images instead of stock photos for better user experience and uniqueness in Google featured snippets, particularly lists and paragraphs. Utilize enough ideas to convey your message effectively.
Keep images 160x200px aspect ratio when uploading. Google generates thumbnails for use in featured snippets and can scale them up to 960x1200px.
To be featured, your content must include numerous attention-grabbing, annotated, and branded images.
10. Optimize Your Content Continuously.
Being on page one increases your chances of being featured in a Google snippet, with most snippets appearing on the first Search Engine Results Page.
Optimizing your website’s ranking in search engines is crucial. Implement the following strategies for better on-page SEO and user experience:
- Resolve SEO problems and penalties
- Improve site crawlability
- Implement internal linking
- Focus on mobile-friendly design
- Align content with search intent and keep it updated
- Optimize images
- Ensure the page is user-friendly and readable
Key Takeaway
As Google continues to improve its search results display, the number of Google Snippets displayed has increased, affecting the position of organic search results. Thus, ranking in Google Featured Snippets becomes crucial for boosting website visibility.
These insights from an SEO agency on optimizing content are good additions to your SEO strategy to drive organic traffic to your website.
