How to get a Google Featured Snippet.
Recently, we achieved a Google snippet for one of our client’s, EXPOL. One of EXPOL’s objectives was to be seen as a thought leader/expert in the new H1 regulations. When you Google search ‘H1 insulation concrete slabs’, EXPOL comes up as a featured snippet!
Getting a featured snippet on Google is an amazing way to increase your website's visibility and drive organic traffic. Featured snippets are the info boxes that appear at the top of some search results, providing quick answers to user queries. Here are some steps to help you increase your chances of getting a featured snippet.
How Google’s featured snippets work
According to Google: "We display featured snippets when our systems determine this format will help people more easily discover what they’re seeking, both from the description of the page and when they click on the link to read the page itself. They’re especially helpful for those on mobile or searching by voice."
The Power of Google's Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are more than just a prominent spot on Google; they're a game-changer for your website's visibility. They are chosen by Google to provide users with quick answers from reliable sources, positioning your website as an expert in your field. These snippets increase click-through rates, especially on mobile devices, and can be a strong indicator of brand authority.
How featured snippets are chosen
Featured snippets come from web search listings. Google's automated systems determine whether a page would make a good featured snippet to highlight for a specific search request.
1.Understanding Featured Snippets
Featured snippets come in various types, including paragraphs, lists, and tables, each requiring different optimisation strategies. These snippets aim to provide concise and relevant answers to user questions, making them a valuable source of information for searchers.
2. Identifying Target Keywords
Research is the foundation of successful SEO, and the same principle applies when targeting featured snippets. To increase your chances of earning a featured snippet, you must identify keywords relevant to your content that already have featured snippets. Tools like Google's Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz can help you discover these opportunities.
3. Crafting High-Quality Content
Creating high-quality content is at the core of SEO, and it's equally crucial for earning featured snippets. Your content should be comprehensive, well-structured, and directly address the user's query. Ensure that your writing is clear, easy to understand, and genuinely informative.
4. Leveraging Structured Data
Structured data markup, such as Schema.org, can be a game-changer when it comes to featured snippets. Implementing structured data on your web pages provides context to search engines about your content, helping Google understand and display your information as a featured snippet.
5. Providing Clear and Concise Answers
For paragraph-style featured snippets, clarity and conciseness are paramount. Place the concise answer to the user's question at the beginning of your content, making sure it directly relates to the query. Your answer should be clear and easy to grasp.
6. Utilising Lists and Tables
If your content can be presented in a list or table format, take advantage of it. Ensure that your lists or tables are well-structured and offer valuable information. Presentation matters, so format them neatly.
7. Optimising Meta Tags
Your meta titles and descriptions play a crucial role in attracting clicks and securing featured snippets. Craft compelling meta tags that align with the user's query and encourage clicks. Use descriptive language that accurately represents your content.
8. Speed Up Your Website
Google considers page load speed when selecting featured snippets. Slow websites can result in a poor user experience, so optimise your site's performance to improve loading times.
9. Build Quality Backlinks
Quality backlinks can boost your overall search engine ranking, increasing your chances of earning featured snippets. Building a robust backlink profile is an essential part of SEO.
10. Keep Your Content Fresh
Google favours fresh and accurate information. Regularly update your content to ensure it stays relevant to current trends and user needs. This can improve your chances of earning featured snippets.
11. Optimise for Voice Search
With the rise of voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri, optimising voice search is crucial. Voice search optimisation can enhance your chances of appearing as a featured snippet for voice queries.
11. Monitor and Adapt
SEO is an ever-evolving field, and featured snippets are no exception. Continuously monitor your search rankings and featured snippet opportunities. Adjust your content and optimisation strategies based on the results and user feedback.
We want you to understand that there’s no guaranteed method to secure a featured snippet, as Google's algorithms ultimately determine which content gets displayed. However, by following these best practices and consistently delivering high-quality content, you can really boost your chances of earning featured snippets and enhancing your website's visibility in search results.
Want Matter Agency to help you get a featured snippet on Google? Get in touch with us today.