5 Types of Featured Snippets (And How To Get More of Them)
Featured snippets are some of the most sought-after positions on the first search results page, and the right SEO agency can help you get them. But which type should you focus on? What are the best techniques to give your content the best chance?
This article discusses the five types of featured snippets:
- Paragraph
- List
- Table
- Video
- Paragraph or List + Image
It also gives you reliable tips to optimize them. Are you ready to learn them? Let’s go!
Want to learn more about the Digital Authority Partners approach to SEO? Watch this video!
What Are the Five Types of Featured Snippets?
Search engine optimization (SEO) and featured snippets are like two peas in a pod. The former is about improving visibility, and the latter offers that in spades.
These snippets are well-known for occupying the top position on search engine results pages (SERPs). Also called "position zero," they appear before the rest of the links.
You can optimize your content for featured snippets to improve traffic and brand exposure. These two already put you in a great position to convert.
Even better, Google gives you different ways to get a feature with these five types:
| Snippet Type | Description | Trigger (what can cause them to appear) |
|---|---|---|
| Paragraph | A block of text that concisely answers a query | Common questions with straightforward answers, such as “What is X?” or “How does Y work?” |
| List | A bulleted or numbered list that answers a question | Searches that usually start with “how to,” “steps for,” “ways to,” or similar phrases |
| Table | A set of rows and columns that presents information in a detailed manner | Queries that ask for comparisons or specific data, such as “X vs. Y” or “Population of Z countries.” |
| Video | A video or a part of it that best answers the user’s query | Keywords that are instructional or visual, such as “How to tie a shoelace” or “What does X look like?” |
| Combination | A paragraph or a list with an accompanying image | Queries that are visual or require a step-by-step explanation, such as “How to do X with pictures” or “What are the parts of Y?” |
Let us expound on each.
1. Paragraph Featured Snippet
This type answers a question with a paragraph, although usually it is only one or two sentences. Sometimes it does not give a complete paragraph or phrase at all. For example, when you type “What is the height of the Eiffel Tower?” Google immediately provides you with the measurement.
Paragraph snippets often appear when queries (or the keywords people search for) are informational, particularly the four Ws: who, what, when, where, and why. For this reason, they are ideal for leads still in the awareness stage.
Tips to Get a Paragraph Featured Snippet
- Research the most commonly asked questions about your keyword, topic, or niche. Google has a treasure trove of tools for you right on the search results. These include Autocomplete Suggestions, Related Searches, and Related Questions. You can also use sites such as Answer the Public.
- Keep your answers short and sweet. Strive to stick to one or two sentences. However, optimize them by including a targeted keyword whenever possible.
- Build a FAQ section. You can make the questions headings or subheadings and then provide concise answers.
- Avoid including brands. Don’t make one of the most common mistakes in SEO for featured snippets. Google wants the most relevant, straightforward answer; your brand is unnecessary information.
2. List Featured Snippet
As the name suggests, this featured snippet shows a list of items, but not all may contain bullets or numbers. The data usually includes definitions, processes, or steps.
“How-to” queries often trigger a list (such as “how to bake a cake” or “steps in cooking an omelet”). However, the same goes for less-actionable inquiries. Examples are “best beaches in Hawaii” or “muffin ingredients.”
Searches that create a list are often from those who might be in the consideration stage. This is because they are already familiar with what they want but seek specific details.
Tips to Get a List Featured Snippet
- Pay attention to list-oriented questions. Watch for any search queries that include words such as “steps,” “ways,” or “list.”
- Label your headings and subheadings properly. Add keywords here to build relevance, but do not make them too long.
- Support your headings and subheadings. Explain each section with a short yet informative description.
- Include external links, especially if they provide further helpful information. This also builds trustworthiness and authority in your content.
3. Table Featured Snippet
An SEO agency can optimize your page for the table snippet, which is a group of rows and/or columns of data that can be words or numbers (or both).
The information provided here is similar to the list snippet, although it has more visual appeal. The table also maintains structure to capture even the most comprehensive queries. It is ideal for those looking for more factual data, such as prices and rankings.
Tips to Get a Table Featured Snippet
- Create tables using simple HTML.
- Ensure the table is organized, with each column and row labeled properly.
- Stick to one topic per table. Having too much information can overwhelm readers.
- Include keywords naturally in your headings and subheadings but do not overstuff them.
- Maximize your data by including additional essential information and links from legitimate sources.
- Verify the accuracy. If the table is old, update the data.
4. Video Featured Snippet
The featured video snippet seems like the newest addition to Google’s search results page, but do not underestimate its impact.
Google tends to show this type of snippet when it deems a video more appropriate than written content. It is perfect for answering queries that involve how-tos, tutorials, and other visual explanations.
Tips to Get a Video Featured Snippet
- Ensure the video meets YouTube’s guidelines in length and quality.
- Include a transcription. This makes it easier for Google to read and understand the video content.
- Optimize the title, description, and tags with relevant keywords.
- Provide additional information in the form of text and links in the description box. Make sure that your video is properly linked to your website’s content.
- Encourage viewers to watch the entire video by including a call-to-action, such as subscribing or liking your channel.
5. Paragraph or List + Image
Sometimes Google answers your question with either a paragraph or list, and accompanying that with a picture - most likely pulled from the Image Search, your page, or another website.
It happens when the search engine wants to add more context or improve the user experience. For instance, you might better understand instructions when you have visual aids.
Tips to Get a Paragraph or List + Image Featured Snippet
- Include images that are relevant to the content.
- Ensure that each photo is optimized with keywords and alt tags.
- Check if the image is free to use and properly credited.
- Avoid adding images that are too small or of low quality.
Summing Up
Studies show that most online searches today already have a featured snippet, so now is the best time to improve your content to land a spot. But if you want to do it fast, you should consider hiring a dedicated team.
Digital Authority Partners (DAP) is an SEO agency providing quality content optimization services. We can help you build relevance and jump the competition to get featured on Google’s SERP. Contact us today to know more about our process!
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