SERP features, also known as search engine results page features, are elements that appear on search engine results pages aside from the traditional organic listings. Up to now, there are various types of SERP Features, so what is the purpose of them and how do they help the websites?
SERP features are various elements that appear on search engine results pages (SERPs), not including the standard organic listings. These features are designed to provide quick and easy access to the information that a user is searching for.
Some of the most common SERP features are featured snippets, knowledge panels, local packs, and video carousels. Each of these features provides users with different types of information, ranging from answers to questions to visual content.
Understanding the different types of SERP features and how to optimize for them can help businesses and digital marketers increase visibility and drive more traffic to their websites.
A “Featured Snippet” is a special type of search result that appears at the top of the search engine results page (SERP) and provides a concise and direct answer to the user’s query. It is also known as “position zero” since it appears before all other search results.
The Featured Snippet typically includes a brief summary of the answer to the user’s query, along with the source of the information and a link to the page where the information was found. The snippet is often accompanied by an image or a bulleted list, making it easier for users to quickly scan and understand the information.
Featured Snippets are highly coveted by website owners and SEO professionals since they can significantly increase visibility and drive more traffic to their sites. However, getting a Featured Snippet requires creating high-quality, relevant content that directly answers user queries in a clear and concise manner.
It displays a group of local businesses related to the user’s search query. It typically appears as a map and a list of three local businesses that are geographically close to the user.
Local Pack is an important SERP feature for businesses that rely on local customers, such as restaurants, retailers, and service providers. It provides an opportunity for these businesses to showcase their products or services, as well as their physical location, contact information, and reviews.
The Local Pack feature is triggered by certain keywords, such as “near me,” “in [city name],” or “near [landmark or attraction].” To appear in the Local Pack, businesses need to optimize their website and Google My Business profile, which includes providing accurate and complete information about their business, such as their address, phone number, hours of operation, and customer reviews.
Reviews in SERP features are essential for online businesses since they provide social proof and help potential customers make informed decisions about whether to purchase a product or use a service. Reviews are also an important ranking factor for search engines, as they demonstrate the authority and credibility of a website or business.
The “Sitelink” SERP feature displays additional links to a website’s pages directly beneath the main search result. These links are called Sitelinks and are typically displayed in a row or column format.
Sitelinks are designed to help users quickly navigate a website and find the information they need without having to click through multiple pages. They are typically displayed for branded searches or for websites that have a strong hierarchy and clear structure.
The “Videos” SERP feature displays video content related to the user’s search query directly in the search results. Videos can be featured in a variety of formats, including thumbnails, carousel, and video snippets.
Videos in SERP features are important for businesses and content creators looking to showcase their video content to a broader audience. They can drive more traffic to their website or video platform, increase engagement, and provide an alternative way for users to consume information.
The “Top Stories” SERP feature displays the most recent and relevant news articles related to the user’s search query. This feature typically appears at the top of the search results and displays a carousel of news articles, along with the article’s title, source, and date.
The Top Stories feature is important for users looking for the latest news and information on a particular topic. It is also a valuable SERP feature for news publishers and journalists since it can increase their visibility and drive more traffic to their website.
The “Images” SERP feature displays a variety of relevant images related to the user’s search query. This feature typically appears in a grid or carousel format and includes a thumbnail image, title, and source.
Images in SERP features are important for businesses and content creators looking to showcase their visual content to a broader audience. They can drive more traffic to their website or image platform, increase engagement, and provide an alternative way for users to consume information.
The “Knowledge Panel” SERP feature displays a comprehensive summary of information related to a specific entity, such as a person, place, or organization. This feature typically appears on the right-hand side of the search results and includes a variety of information, including images, descriptions, facts, and related searches.
The Knowledge Panel is an important SERP feature for users looking for quick and accurate information on a specific topic. It is also a valuable feature for businesses and organizations since it can increase their visibility and credibility, providing users with a one-stop-shop for information related to their brand.
The “FAQs” SERP feature displays frequently asked questions related to the user’s search query, along with corresponding answers. This feature typically appears in an accordion format, allowing users to easily expand and collapse each question and answer.
FAQs in SERP features are ideal for businesses and content creators looking to provide users with quick and easy access to answers to commonly asked questions. They can also help to increase a website’s visibility and click-through rates, as users are more likely to click on a search result that provides them with the exact information they need.
The “People Also Ask” (PAA) SERP feature displays a set of related questions related to the user’s search query, which can be expanded to reveal corresponding answers. This feature typically appears below the featured snippet and can include anywhere from one to several questions.
PAA in SERP features is important for users looking for additional information related to their search query. It also provides businesses and content creators with an opportunity to address related topics and drive more traffic to their website.
The “Related Searches” SERP feature displays a set of related search queries related to the user’s initial search query. This feature typically appears at the bottom of the search results page and can include anywhere from one to several related queries.
Related Searches in SERP features are important for users looking for additional information related to their initial search query. It can also provide businesses and content creators with an opportunity to address related topics and drive more traffic to their website.
“Google Flights Block” displays a block of flight options related to the user’s search query, along with corresponding prices, dates, and airlines. This Google SERP feature typically appears at the top of the search results page and can include multiple flights for the user to choose from.
The Google Flights Block is important for users looking to book flights quickly and easily. It can also provide airlines and travel companies with an opportunity to increase their visibility and drive more traffic to their website.
The “Hotel Pack” SERP feature displays a block of hotel options related to the user’s search query, along with corresponding prices, ratings, and amenities. This feature typically appears at the top of the search results page and can include multiple hotels for the user to choose from.
The Hotel Pack is important for users looking to book hotels quickly and easily. It can also provide hotel companies and travel agencies with an opportunity to increase their visibility and drive more traffic to their website.
The “Job Listings” SERP feature displays a block of job openings related to the user’s search query, along with corresponding job titles, companies, and locations. This feature typically appears at the top or bottom of the search results page and can include multiple job openings for the user to choose from.
The Job Listings SERP feature is important for job seekers looking for employment opportunities quickly and easily. It can also provide companies and recruiters with an opportunity to increase their visibility and drive more traffic to their website.
On the SERP, Google will display both organic search results and ads, with the ads at the very top. There will be up to four ads displayed at the top, and these will be determined by a variety of factors, namely relevance and bid value of the business on the keywords.
This is one of the most notable Google SERP features as it is prominently displayed at the very top. Businesses will need proper planning and a well thought out strategy to target their preferred keywords and bid on them for the ads. If used effectively, Google ads can tremendously improve a site’s traffic and potential conversion.
The “Shopping Ads” SERP feature displays a block of product listings related to the user’s search query, along with corresponding prices, ratings, and stores where the product is available. This feature typically appears at the top of the search results page and can include multiple products for the user to choose from.
Shopping Ads are important for users looking to buy products quickly and easily. They also provide retailers with an opportunity to increase their visibility and drive more traffic to their online store.
The “Rich Snippets” SERP feature provides users with more detailed information related to their search query, including ratings, reviews, pricing, and availability. This feature is designed to enhance the user’s search experience by providing more context and relevant information directly in the search results.
Rich snippets are important for businesses looking to increase their online visibility and drive more traffic to their website. By using structured data markup, businesses can help search engines understand their website’s content and provide more detailed and informative search results.
SERP features are crucial because they enhance the user’s search experience by providing more detailed and informative search results. They also provide businesses and website owners with an opportunity to increase their online visibility and drive more traffic to their website, leading to potential customers and revenue.
By optimizing their website and content for SERP features, businesses can increase their chances of appearing at the top of search results, improving their online visibility, and attracting more potential customers. This ultimately helps businesses grow and succeed in today’s digital marketplace.
Using various SEO tools such as SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz. These tools can analyze your website’s search performance and provide a detailed report on which SERP features your site has appeared in, and which ones you can optimize for better results.
SEO tools such as SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz can also tell whether your competitors’ sites have SERP features or not by conducting a search engine results page (SERP) analysis. These tools can provide a detailed report on which SERP features your competitors’ sites have appeared in, and which ones you can target for better search visibility.
In today’s digital world, SERP features play a crucial role in enhancing the user’s search experience and providing businesses with an opportunity to increase their online visibility and attract potential customers.
By optimizing their website and content for SERP features, businesses can significantly improve their search visibility, drive more traffic to their website, and ultimately grow their business. It is essential to keep up with the ever-evolving search landscape and stay on top of the latest SERP feature trends to ensure that your website stays relevant and visible to potential customers.
SEO services of On Digitals can help you take advantage of these SERP features and propel your way to a more prominent position on the results page. Contact On Digitals and start growing your websites.
