Definition
Featured snippets are content blocks highlighted at the top of Google search results, often called 'position zero.' They automatically extract a passage from a web page to directly answer the user's question without requiring a click. There are several formats: paragraph, list (bulleted or numbered), table, and video. To earn a featured snippet, the page must already rank on Google's first page and the content must be structured to clearly and concisely answer a specific question. Featured snippets significantly increase visibility and credibility, though they may sometimes reduce CTR if the complete answer is displayed directly in the SERP.
Key Points
- The page must already rank on page one to be eligible for a featured snippet
- Structuring content with H2/H3 tags, lists, and tables facilitates extraction
- Answer the question directly within the first 40-60 words of the target paragraph
Practical Examples
Paragraph featured snippet
For the query 'what is link building', Google displays a paragraph extracted from a definition article, with the page title and URL, offering maximum visibility to the source site.
List featured snippet
The query 'steps for a link building campaign' triggers a numbered list featured snippet extracted from a practical guide that structures its steps with appropriate HTML tags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Identify queries that already trigger a featured snippet. Structure content with clear H2/H3 subheadings phrased as questions. Provide a concise 40-60 word answer right after the subheading, then elaborate. Use bulleted or numbered lists for processes. Add tables for comparative data. Ensure your page already ranks in the top 10.
It is nuanced. Featured snippets can lead to zero-click searches when the displayed answer is sufficient. However, for complex queries where the snippet only provides a preview, CTR increases significantly. On average, featured snippets capture about 8% of result page clicks.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07