What Are Google SERP Features and How to Get on Them

In the vast digital landscape of the internet, Google remains the undisputed king of search engines. Millions of users turn to Google every day to find answers to their questions, products, services, and information. As a result, ranking high on Google’s Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) has become a primary objective for businesses and website owners looking to drive organic traffic. However, the traditional organic search results are no longer the sole focus of SEO efforts. Google’s SERP features have evolved to provide users with more diverse and interactive search experiences. In this article, we will explore what Google SERP features are, list and explain some of the most common ones, and detail strategies to get your content featured on them.

Understanding Google SERP Features

SERP features, or Search Engine Results Page features, are additional elements that appear on a Google search results page alongside the traditional organic listings. They are designed to enhance the search experience by providing users with more relevant and informative content directly on the search results page. These features can include anything from images and videos to maps, knowledge graphs, and interactive widgets.

Google continually updates and introduces new SERP features to improve user satisfaction and keep pace with changing search behaviours. For website owners and digital marketers, understanding these features and optimising for them can be a game-changer in terms of visibility and traffic.

Common Google SERP Features

• Featured Snippets:
  • Featured snippets appear at the top of the search results and provide concise answers to user queries. They are typically in a box format and aim to answer a question directly.
• Knowledge Graphs:
  • Knowledge graphs provide users with detailed information about a specific topic or entity. They often appear on the right side of the search results and include information gathered from various sources.
• Local Packs:
  • Local packs display a map with local business listings and details. This feature is crucial for businesses with a physical presence, as it helps users find nearby services and locations.
• Video Carousel:
  • The video carousel appears as a horizontal scrollable list of video thumbnails, usually displayed when users search for topics with relevant video content.
• Image Packs:
  • Image packs display a selection of images related to the search query. This feature is essential for image-focused content and e-commerce websites.
• News Boxes:
  • News boxes showcase the latest news articles related to the search query. It’s especially important for publishers and news outlets.
• People Also Ask (PAA):
  • The “People Also Ask” section features a series of related questions that users often ask. Optimising for PAA can help you appear in more search results.
• Review Snippets:
  • Review snippets display star ratings and brief review excerpts for products, services, or businesses. They can significantly impact a user’s decision-making process.
• Site Links:
  • Site links are additional links to specific pages within a website, appearing below the main search result. They provide users with quick access to relevant subpages.
• Featured Videos:
  • Featured videos appear as large video thumbnails within the search results. This is a great opportunity for video content creators to gain visibility.

Strategies to Get on Google SERP Features

Getting your content featured in Google SERP features requires strategic optimization. Here are some key steps to help you achieve that:

• High-Quality Content:
  • Create content that is informative, well-structured, and relevant to user queries. Content quality is paramount for Google’s algorithms.
• Structured Data:
  • Implement structured data markup (Schema.org) to provide context to your content. This helps Google understand your content better.
• Optimise for Featured Snippets:
  • To target featured snippets, format your content to provide clear answers to common questions, use bullet points, and answer questions concisely.
• Local SEO:
  • If you have a physical business location, optimise your website for local SEO to increase your chances of appearing in local packs.
• Video Optimisation:
  • For video content, optimise your videos for SEO, use descriptive titles and descriptions, and promote them on platforms like YouTube.
• Image Optimisation:
  • Optimise your images with descriptive alt text and ensure they are high-quality. This improves your chances of appearing in image packs. Great for Ecommerce SEO and product images.
• News SEO:
  • If you publish news content, focus on staying up-to-date, and use SEO techniques specific to news articles.
• Monitor and Adapt:
  • Regularly monitor your performance on SERP features, and adjust your strategies based on what works best for your target audience.

In conclusion, Google SERP features have transformed the search landscape, offering diverse ways for content creators to engage with users. To succeed in this dynamic environment, it’s essential to understand these features, produce high-quality content, and employ SEO strategies tailored to each feature. By doing so, you can increase your visibility and drive more organic traffic to your website in an ever-evolving digital ecosystem

If you fancy a few more SEO tips, or need some help with your SEO feel free to give us a call on 0117 930 4365 or drop us an email.