Ever noticed those informative boxes that pop up at the top of Google's search results? Those are called Featured Snippets, and they're like gold for website owners. Why? Because they grab attention, boost your website's authority, and attract more clicks. But here's the catch: everyone wants a featured snippet, so competition is fierce.

In this guide, we're going to share proven strategies to help you win the featured snippet game. 

12 Proven Strategies to Secure Featured Snippets

Here are some best strategies for securing featured snippets. 

Target the Right Keywords

Winning the featured snippet starts with choosing the right keywords. Think of keywords as the questions people type into Google. Khashayar Shahnazari, Chief Executive Officer at FinlyWealth, shares, “To snag featured snippets, you need to target keywords that are phrased as questions. These are often "how to" questions, "what is" questions, or "why" questions.”

For example, instead of targeting the keyword "healthy breakfast recipes," you might target "how to make a healthy breakfast." The first keyword is broad, while the second one is a specific question that Google is more likely to feature in a snippet. Similarly, when developing an Employee Training System, it's important to use specific, targeted keywords that address common queries, making it easier for search engines to feature your content prominently.

To find these question keywords, you can use several tools. Google itself is a great starting point. Just type in a broad keyword related to your topic and see what questions appear in the "People Also Ask" box. Sumeer Kaur, Founder of Indian Clothes, said, “You also use SEMrush or Ahrefs to uncover high-volume question keywords that people are searching for.”

Remember, focus on long-tail keywords, which are longer and more specific phrases. These often have less competition, making it easier for you to rank and snag that coveted featured snippet. 

Understand Search Intent

To win the featured snippet spot, you need to be the best answer to the question people are asking. That means understanding what they're really looking for when they type in those keywords. This is called search intent, shares Indie Basi, Director of WadeSupplies. 

Let's say someone searches for "how to make sourdough bread." Their intent isn't just to find any old sourdough recipe. They want a clear, step-by-step guide that walks them through the process from start to finish. If your content doesn't match that intent, it won't get the featured snippet, even if it's well-written.

Martin Seeley, CEO of Mattress Next Day, adds, “To figure out search intent, start by looking at the top-ranking pages for your target keyword. What kind of content are they providing? Are they definitions, tutorials, comparisons, or something else? This will give you a good idea of what Google considers the most relevant answer to the query.”

For example, if you search for "best productivity apps," you'll see that the top results are mostly listicles comparing different apps. This tells you that Google prefers a comparison format for this type of query. If you were trying to rank for this keyword, you'd want to create a similar listicle to match the search intent.

Craft Concise, Direct Answers

Google wants to provide users with the most relevant and easily digestible information possible. That means your answer needs to be front and center, clear, concise, and directly address the question being asked. 

Alison Lancaster, CEO of Pressat.co.uk, shares, “Don't bury the answer deep within your content or force users to sift through paragraphs of text to find it. Instead, state your answer prominently at the beginning, ideally within the first few sentences. Use straightforward language that anyone can understand, even if they're not an expert on the topic.”

But don't sacrifice accuracy for brevity. Your answer should be complete and accurate, providing all the necessary information to satisfy the user's query. And of course, naturally weave in relevant keywords to signal to Google that your content is a good match for the search query.

A great example of this is Investopedia. They earn featured snippets for financial questions like "how to calculate net worth." 

Image Source: Google

Their answers are concise, direct, and placed at the very beginning of their articles. This approach has not only helped them secure featured snippets but also established them as a go-to resource for financial information.

Optimize for "People Also Ask" (PAA) Boxes

Those handy "People Also Ask" (PAA) boxes that appear in Google search results are more than just helpful tidbits — they're a treasure for featured snippet optimization. 

Idan Avitan, CEO of Growee, shares, “By addressing these PAA questions within your content, you're not only providing valuable information to users but also signaling to Google that your page is a comprehensive resource on the topic. This increases your chances of being featured in multiple snippets, boosting your visibility and authority.”

For example, if you're writing about "how to make coffee," you might find PAA questions like "What's the best type of coffee bean?" or "How do I clean my coffee maker?" By answering these questions within your article, you're expanding the scope of your content and demonstrating your expertise.

A prime example of a brand using PAA is The Spruce Eats. They consistently rank for featured snippets by incorporating PAA questions and answers into their articles. 

Source: Google

This comprehensive approach has helped them secure multiple featured snippets for various cooking-related queries.

Utilize Schema Markup

Think of schema markup as a language you can use to communicate with Google. It's a type of code that you add to your website's HTML to help search engines better understand your content. While it might sound technical, it's actually quite simple to implement and can have a big impact on your chances of landing a featured snippet, explains Michael Hess, Tech Expert at Code Signing Store. 

Schema markup provides context to your content, telling Google what it's about and how it's structured. For example, if you have an FAQ page, you can use the FAQPage schema to mark up your questions and answers. This makes it easier for Google to identify and display your FAQ in a featured snippet. 

Gerrid Smith, CMO of Joy Organics, adds, “There are many different types of schema markup, each designed for specific types of content. And the HowTo schema is perfect for step-by-step guides, while the Product schema is ideal for showcasing product details and reviews.” 

Create Engaging Visuals

A picture is worth a thousand words, and in the world of featured snippets, that couldn't be more true. David Salib, CEO of MINVO, says, “Compelling visuals can make your content from plain text to an eye-catching masterpiece — increasing your chances of landing that coveted top spot.”

But not just any visual will do. High-quality images and videos that are relevant to your content are key. Whether it's a stunning photograph, an informative infographic, or a step-by-step video tutorial, visuals can make complex concepts easier to understand and keep users engaged.

Soledad Galli, Founder of Train In Data, advises, “Remember, speed matters. Optimize your visuals for fast loading, especially on mobile devices. Large image files can slow down your page and frustrate users, so compress them without sacrificing quality.”

Consider using infographics or diagrams to break down complex information into bite-sized chunks. This not only makes your content more digestible but also increases the chances of your visual being featured in a snippet.

For example, if you're writing about "how to tie a tie," a step-by-step video or infographic can be much more helpful than text alone. Visuals can even help you rank for featured snippets related to your images or videos, expanding your reach even further.

Josh Pather, Founder of Photo Booth International, adds, “By adding engaging visuals into your content, you're not only making it more appealing to users but also giving Google more reasons to feature your content in a snippet.”

BuzzFeed's Tasty is a prime example of a brand that leverages visuals to dominate featured snippets. 

Image Source: Google 

Their short, engaging cooking videos are not only popular on social media but also frequently appear in featured snippets for recipe-related queries. This is because their videos are visually appealing, informative, and optimized for search engines. 

Monitor and Refine Your Strategy

Everything's coming up with someone new, even SEO. So, featured snippets are no exception. What works today might not work tomorrow. That's why it's crucial to monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. Staying ahead means continually refining your strategy — whether you're focusing on blog posts, product pages, or niche markets like G2Vape. 

Think of it like a sailboat race. You wouldn't just set your sails and hope for the best. You'd constantly monitor the wind and adjust your course to stay ahead of the competition. The same principle applies to featured snippets.

Regularly track your rankings for featured snippets. In an interview Robbin Schuchmann, Co-Founder of Employ Borderless shares “SEMrush or Ahrefs can help you see which keywords you're ranking for and how you're performing compared to your competitors. This data can reveal valuable insights into what's working and what's not.”

Don't be afraid to experiment. If you're not seeing the results you want, try tweaking your content, adding more visuals, or targeting different keywords. Learn from your competitors by analyzing their featured snippets. What are they doing that you're not? Can you improve upon their approach?

Remember, featured snippets are a dynamic feature. Google's algorithms are constantly changing, and so are user preferences. By staying ahead in your strategy, you can stay competitive and continue to capture those coveted featured snippets.

Use Video for Featured Snippets

Did you know that videos can also snag featured snippets? It's true! Google is adding videos into its search results, and optimizing your videos can be a powerful way to win those coveted top spots.

The key is to create informative videos that answer common questions related to your niche. For example, if you run a fitness blog, you could create videos on topics like "how to do a proper squat" or "best exercises for weight loss." Keep your videos concise and engaging, focusing on providing a clear and helpful answer to the query.

Ira Prevalova, Growth Marketing Director at Adverity, says, “Once you've created your videos, optimize them for search engines. This means using relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. Transcribe your videos and include the transcript on your website. This helps Google understand the content of your video and increases the chances of it being featured in a snippet.”

Optimizing for Voice Search

Voice search is becoming the preferred way for many people to find information online. With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, optimizing your content for voice search is no longer optional — it's essential.

Dan Tabaran, Head of Marketing at Influencity, says, “To win the featured snippet game in the era of voice search, focus on crafting answers that sound natural when spoken aloud. Avoid overly formal or technical language. Instead, use conversational keywords and phrases that people would actually say in everyday conversation.”

Think about how people ask questions when they're speaking. They tend to use longer, more conversational phrases. For example, instead of typing "best Italian restaurant near me," someone might say, "Hey Google, what's a good Italian restaurant nearby?"

By adding these conversational keywords into your content, you're increasing the chances of your answer being selected for a voice search featured snippet. This means your brand will be the one answering users' questions, establishing your authority and building trust.

Plus, focus on creating content that addresses common voice search queries. These are often questions that start with "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," and "how." By anticipating these questions and providing clear, concise answers, you're making it easy for voice assistants to find and deliver your content to users.

Optimize for Rich Results

Featured snippets aren't the only way to stand out in search results. Google offers a variety of rich results that can enhance your visibility and attract more clicks. These rich results include things like review stars, recipe cards, event listings, and more.

Mateusz Mazurek, Founder at Prehost, said, “To optimize for rich results, you need to use structured data. This is a type of code that you add to your website's HTML to help search engines understand the content on your pages. By marking up your content with the appropriate schema, you can signal to Google that your page is eligible for a rich result.”

For example, if you have a recipe page, you can use the Recipe schema to mark up the ingredients, cooking time, and other relevant details. This will allow Google to display your recipe as a visually appealing recipe card in the search results, increasing the chances of users clicking through to your website.

Similarly, if you have a product page, you can use Product schema to mark up the product name, price, availability, and other details. This can help your product appear in a rich result with images, ratings, and other information that can entice users to click.

By optimizing for rich results, you're not only increasing your visibility in search results but also providing users with a more informative and engaging experience. This can lead to higher click-through rates and ultimately, more traffic and conversions for your website.

Prioritize Freshness and Relevance

Google loves fresh content. It signals that your website is active and up-to-date, which can boost your chances of ranking for featured snippets. Keep your content fresh by regularly updating it with new information, statistics, and insights. If you have outdated content, revise it to reflect the latest trends and developments.

But freshness alone isn't enough. Your content also needs to be relevant to the search query. Rasmus Adeltoft, Business Owner of Lenspricer, explains, “If you're trying to rank for a keyword that's trending, make sure your content reflects the current conversation and addresses the most recent questions and concerns. This shows Google that your content is not only fresh but also relevant to what users are searching for.”

Promote Your Content

Creating high-quality content is only half the battle. You also need to get it in front of the right people. That's where content promotion comes in.  By actively promoting your content, you can increase its visibility, attract more backlinks, and ultimately boost your chances of ranking for featured snippets.

There are many ways to promote your content, including. 

• Share your content on social media platforms where your target audience hangs out.

• Send your content to your email subscribers.

• Reach out to influencers in your niche and ask them to share your content.

• Write guest posts for other websites in your niche.

By promoting your content, you're not only increasing its reach but also building backlinks, which are a key ranking factor for Google. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more authoritative your website appears to Google, increasing your chances of landing those coveted featured snippets.

Conclusion

There you have it — you're now armed with the knowledge and strategies to conquer Google's featured snippets. By following the tips we’ve covered above, you're well on your way to securing that top spot in search results.

Remember, Featured snippets are growing, but with consistent effort and a willingness to adapt — you can stay ahead. Keep experimenting, refining your strategy, and most importantly, provide valuable content that answers your audience's questions. 

By doing so, you'll not only earn featured snippets but also build a loyal audience that trusts your expertise and keeps coming back for more.