Search Engine Results Page Features You Should Know in 2024

An SEO agency will tell you that you need to rank higher in the search engine results page or SERP and must appear seen in organic SERP. But what does it all mean?

SERP is the page that provides users with the results they are looking for. Search engines like Google aim for the best results, and thus, your site on the first SERP means that Google knows your business is one of the best results.

Let’s focus on the latest features of SERP and how they can help your audience interact better with your website.

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1. Apps

Mobile users on Google may see features that are unique to mobile searchers. One of these is the SERP app feature. If a user searches for anything that has an available app, Google will automatically display apps found across the web.

If searching for a messaging app, you'll find apps from Google Store, and the App Store displayed after the three ads on top of SERPs.

2. Business Reviews

If your business makes it to the Google Local Pack, local business reviews will be displayed near your star rating. Reviews help customers make intelligent decisions when purchasing products or ordering services. You may also optimize your pages by adding reviews.

3. Featured Snippets

The featured snippets feature is on top of SERPs, providing some content from one of the top search results. Featured snippets have a significant positive impact on your click-through rate.

For example, when searching how to glue wood, Google will provide a featured snippet from a YouTube video that tells you how to do it. All featured snippets are labeled below the featured content.

4. Google Ads

SERPs also feature sponsored results through Google Ads. These are located at the top and below the SERPs. Three ads appear at the top of SERP, and the organic results or listings are displayed. After these, a People Also Ask list and the top stores follow. Finally, another three ads are displayed, and the related searches field.

5. Google Local Packs

If there are local search results that match a user’s query, these results appear in a Google Local Pack. The local pack provides business information such as an address, hours of operation, customer reviews, and more.

6. Image Carousels

You'll find image carousels at the top of SERPs. These images provide quick answers to users' questions. A search for the cast of a television series will trigger Google to display a carousel of actors with their roles in the series. Searching different cat breeds will also make Google display other breeds on the carousel.

7. Instant Answers

The instant answers feature lets Google present quick answers to a question without clicking on any website. This search feature is at the top of SERP with a link to the page where Google got the answer. For example, searching for the weather or the current temperature will reveal instant answers on SERP.

8. Job Postings

Google understands when users are searching for job opportunities. It produces job postings from different online sources and displays these within the SERPs. Usually, around three jobs are shown, but a clickable link at the bottom saying "100+ more jobs" will take you to job posting sites.

9. Latest Tweets

Twitter provides the latest information on just about anything. That is why many people love the tweets feature in SERP.  The official Twitter account appears for each tweet, with the number of hours or minutes from the tweet's posting.

10. People Also Ask Feature

The SERP People Also Ask feature can appear almost anywhere on the page. This feature displays around five of the best questions regarding a search query. Clicking on a People Also Ask question will lead you to the answer without visiting the site. Of course, you may also visit the site for further information.

11. Product Comparisons

When you search for a mobile phone or a home theater system, Google can instantly display the product you're looking for plus a similar product for comparison. At the bottom of the comparison is a "Detailed Comparison" message. It tells users to check out other added products and add more products to the list.

12. SERP Images Feature

Google can identify that an image best answers a query. As such, the image feature comes in handy. These appear anywhere in the SERP. Clicking on any image leads a user to the Google image search page so they can browse more photos to answer their questions.

13. SERP Knowledge Panels

The knowledge panel feature boxes with updated and relevant information from different online sources. This panel appears on the right side of the page. Google can display other knowledge panels from sports to science.

14. SERP Sitelinks

The site links feature is the most popular of all. It is found in more SERPs compared to other features. Sitelinks lead users to specific pages on a website. For example, searching for Nike footwear will give you site links like new styles on sale, women's running shoes, and the new Nike SNKRS.

15. Shopping Ads

You can use the Google Shopping Ads feature on SERPs to create ads for your many products. These ads allow you to display the product name, retailer name, price, and rating. You may add an image to help your customers shop for the right products.

16. Top Products

In this feature, you can highlight products that are not advertised but remain related to a user's search query. For example, a user searching for 32" flat screen televisions will get the top 32" flat screen TVs after a few organic search results and People Also Ask.

More details will appear if a user clicks on any of the products. Reviews from various sites, prices from different online shops, and insights from multiple online outlets will also appear.

17. Top Stories

Google displays top stories from various news media outlets if a user's query has related news. For a search about Samsung's new Galaxy smartphone, Google may display news stories about a recent Samsung launch or a news post about the Galaxy phone's unique features.

18. Video Feature

Video features in SERPs may appear anywhere on the page. Searching for "how to flatten a belly," you'll get three recommended videos about workouts, diets, and other strategies to get a flat stomach. These videos came after a few shopping ads, organic search, and the People Also Ask section.

Final Words

There are various search engine results page features available at your disposal. A combination of features can get your business instantly noticed on SERPs.

Google's algorithms continue to change and improve. And whether you have an ecommerce shop or a local store, investing in the latest features can help you grow your business.