TL;DR
Featured snippets are the prime position at the top of search results (Position Zero), driving traffic without needing a top ranking. Optimise by targeting question-based keywords, using structured content, and focusing on mobile-friendly, concise answers. For enhanced visibility, consider voice search and track performance regularly.
Ever noticed that special answer box at the very top of Google’s results, giving you exactly what you asked for? That’s a featured snippet – and it lives in “Position Zero,” above even the #1 result. Capturing this spot can be a game-changer.
In fact, a featured snippet can grab roughly 8% of all clicks on a search results page. That means more traffic to your site without needing a higher rank. Featured snippets remain one of the most valuable Search Engine Results Pages opportunities in SEO, even as search evolves in 2025.
This blog will show you how to secure that coveted Position Zero for yourself. Whether you run an e-commerce business, manage a B2B website, or work at an SEO agency, these tips will help you boost your chances of grabbing the top spot.
What is a Featured Snippet?
A featured snippet is a specially formatted search result that Google pulls from a webpage to answer a user’s query directly. It can appear as a paragraph, list, table, or even a video, all displayed prominently at the top of the results.
For example, if you search a question like “What is SEO?”, Google might show a concise definition right away in a boxed snippet. For searchers, it’s a quick answer. For websites, it’s prime real estate.
Despite all the new bells and whistles on Google, featured snippets are still showing up in about 4.8% of search queries. That might sound small, but considering Google handles billions of searches, that’s millions of queries with a Position Zero up for grabs.
Optimising Content for Featured Snippets
Grabbing a featured snippet isn’t about luck – it’s about strategic content optimisation. Google chooses snippets from pages that best answer the query. Here’s how to craft your content to increase your odds:
Target Question-Based Keywords
Think about how people search: they often type in questions. For example:
-
“What is...?”- Perfect for definition snippets (usually a brief paragraph explaining a term).
-
“How to...?”- Ideal for step-by-step or list snippets (e.g. how to secure a featured snippet, broken into steps).
-
“Why does...?” or “Why is...?” Great for explanatory snippets that need a short explanation.
-
“When...?” or “Where...?” Good for specific fact-based answers (dates, places, etc.).
Structure Your Content for Snippet Success
Here are key formatting tips to make your content snippet-ready, which gets shown on the search engine results pages:
Lead with a Direct Answer:
If the query is “What is X,” start your answer immediately after a heading. For example, have a heading like “What is X?” and follow it with a sentence like “X is …” giving a clear definition.
Aim for 40-60 words for the core answer in a paragraph snippet. This length tends to fit nicely in the snippet box. Get straight to the point in 1–3 sentences. You can always elaborate in the next paragraph, but the first few lines should stand alone as a complete answer.
Use Proper Headings and Hierarchy
Break your content into logical sections with proper headings. If you’re answering multiple questions on one page, each one can be a heading.
Don’t bury the answer in fluff. After you pose a question, answer it immediately. This Q&A style formatting is easy for Google to understand.
Advanced SEO Tactics to Capture Position Zero
Beyond great writing, a few technical tweaks can give you an extra edge in snagging Position Zero.
Let’s discuss some advanced strategies:
Optimise for Voice Search
Featured snippets frequently drive voice search responses. Research indicates that more than 40% of voice search returns directly from featured snippets. This is understandable – voice helpers desire a quick, brief reply, just like the snippet offers.
To optimise for voice search (and consequently, featured snippets):
Write as you speak. Voice searches tend to be in natural language (“How do I make my website faster?” instead of “make website faster”). If your text sounds conversational, it will be more suitable for voice searches.
When the voice assistant is reading out the answer, the user is not looking at the rest of your page to get context. Ensure that your featured snippet answer is also readable in isolation. It must be self-explanatory and understandable if it’s heard alone.
Include Contextual Keywords
Voice searches often have a local intent or specific context. If relevant, include local references or clarify the context in your answers. For instance, if your business offers digital marketing services in Chandigarh, and you’re writing about it, a voice user might ask “Which SEO agency in Chandigarh offers full digital marketing services?”
Mobile-Friendly is Essential
The majority of voice queries are done on mobile. Make sure your content is mobile-optimised. Google mostly indexes with mobile now, so a mobile-optimised page is the basis of all SEO, including snippet visibility.
Track and Measure Your Snippet Performance
Optimising for featured snippets is not a one-time process. You need to track your performance and adjust. Below are some suggestions for tracking and getting better with time:
Monitor Snippet Positions
Manually check or utilise tools to find out if and when your pages are selected as featured snippets. Sometimes tools like Semrush and Ahrefs will alert you if you own a snippet for a query. If you gain a snippet, watch it, check every now and then that you still own it, since Google can replace snippets if a better answer exists.
If your competitor’s page is continually ranking for a snippet of a keyword you desire, go to that page. You can get ideas to enhance your content and steal this snippet from them by becoming more relevant.
Seasonal and New Opportunities
Trends in search shift. The questions individuals ask during summer may not be the same as winter. Look for new question keywords periodically, and observe trending topics within your niche.
Periodically, which is every few months, check your snippet-targeted content. Is it current? Can it be lengthened or enhanced? Google prefers fresh information.
Conclusion
Featured snippets are still a building block of SEO strategy today in 2025. Winning that particular Position Zero position can really drive your organic traffic and make your site the go-to resource in your topic. We have discussed how to identify the correct questions, frame your responses, employ technical tricks such as schema, and regularly update your content. Now it’s time for you to implement this. Begin by freshening up a page you believe has potential to be a featured snippet contender – use the suggestions from this post or invest in an expert SEO agency and notice the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Featured snippet refers to a direct answer Google extracts from a webpage, highlighted at the top of search results (Position Zero).
Optimise for question-based keywords, keep content well-organised with headings, and give brief answers. Keep your content categorised and mobile-friendly.
Position Zero increases visibility and organic click-through rates, sending more traffic to your website and enhancing your SEO rankings.
Yes, voice searches tend to draw answers from featured snippets. Optimising content using conversational queries and mobile-friendly pages captures voice search traffic.
Periodically update content for accuracy and relevance. Old snippets can be substituted with newer, more relevant responses.