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Glossary

What Is a Featured Snippet?

Featured Snippet is a highlighted result that Google may show above or alongside standard organic listings for a search query. The result extracts a concise answer from a webpage and links to that page. Featured Snippets commonly present definitions, steps, tables or short explanations that match the wording and intent of a query.

Quick Facts About Featured Snippet

Category

Search result feature

Used for

Direct answers to search queries

Common confusion

Often confused with Rich Results

Also called

Position Zero, Answer Box

Often discussed with

On-Page SEO

Key Takeaways About Featured Snippet

  • Featured Snippets appear in a highlighted search result format.
  • Clear answers can match searches with strong informational intent.
  • A Featured Snippet is not the same as a Rich Result.

How Featured Snippet Works

A paper marked Featured Snippet sits on a wooden desk with a pen, magnifier, and keyboard nearby

A Featured Snippet appears when Google selects webpage content that directly addresses a search query. Google may display a paragraph, list, table or other extract, with a link to the source page. The selected format depends on the question and the structure of the available content.

Related glossary terms: Rich Results, People Also Ask, SERP.

On-page SEO supports this opportunity by aligning headings, page copy and answer sections with search intent. A page should answer the query clearly before adding useful context. Search visibility can change as Google reassesses the query, the page content and competing results. A Rich Result uses structured data or other supported features to add information to a listing, while a Featured Snippet focuses on extracted page content.

Two people review printed pages beside a laptop showing a search result with “Featured Snippet” on screen

Expert Note

When we review Featured Snippet opportunities, we examine the query wording, the current result format and the page section that answers the question. We then refine headings and supporting copy so the answer remains accurate, readable and useful beyond the extracted result.

Featured Snippet in Practice: A Real-World Example

For an Adelaide electrician page, a heading such as “What does switchboard upgrading involve?” could introduce a short, direct explanation. Clear supporting sections can help Google identify the page as a useful answer for that query.

Related Terms

Rich Results

Rich Results are enhanced search listings that display extra information beyond a standard title, URL and…

People Also Ask

People Also Ask is a search-results feature that displays related questions connected to a user’s query…

SERP

A SERP is a search engine results page displayed after someone submits a search query. A…

Search Intent

Search Intent is the underlying purpose behind a search query, such as learning, comparing options, or…

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