Here, we give 6 tips on how to get more featured snippets on Google.

But First: What is a featured snippet?

Featured snippets are search results highlighted at the top of Google’s organic results (but below any ads for the queried keywords).

Presumably, Google highlights featured snippets because they succinctly and clearly answer the search query, and since a snippet is the top organic search result, it drives brand exposure and traffic to your content. It’s a win-win for the user and the content creator.

And Now: 6 Tips on Getting More Featured Snippets

Featured Snippets Tip 1: Do your keyword research

Google doesn’t give a featured snippet to all keywords. Therefore, you should only target keywords that actually generate a featured snippet.

You can check whether a keyword generates a featured snippet in Dragon Metrics, our global SEO platform. All you need to do is add your targeted keywords in Dragon Metrics to track which ones generate a featured snippet.

You can either add the keywords manually or import from a file:

Now, just sit back and relax! After adding the keywords in Dragon Metrics, you’ll just wait one day, and voila: Dragon Metrics will show you which keywords generate a featured snippet.

For example, in the screenshot below, we can see that Google generates a featured snippet for “4g hotspot device.” We can also see 1) that Amazon currently has the featured snippet and 2) the content of that featured snippet.

This gives us insight on what type of content and domain authority may be required to usurp the featured snippet from Amazon.

Featured Snippets Tip 2: Take-over your competitors’ snippets

As marketers, we always ask: What are our competitors doing? What are their tactics? This also applies to usurping a featured snippet from our competitors: We can look at what they’re doing and improve our own content based on that insight to take-over a featured snippet.

For example, if our competitor has the featured snippet, we can try to answer the query even more fully, accurately, and succinctly, using better optimized formatting and content that Google favors.

We’ve tested this out, and it really works!

When you search “search engine in japan,” our blog has the featured snippet. But originally, we didn’t have it—our competitor did. And by putting in better optimized headings, more up-to-date stats, a bulleted list, and more, we were able to take-over the featured snippet.

Featured Snippets Tip 3: Check the “People Also Ask” section

There is a “People Also Ask” section on Google. It shows frequently asked questions related to the search query. Optimize your page to answer these FAQs, and you’ve got a better chance of snagging the featured snippet.

You can also check the “People Also Ask” section in Dragon Metrics to see the FAQs that include your targeted keywords. Dragon Metrics also shows the answers and the site that has the related featured snippet.

For example, when you target keywords, such as “WiFi device,” WiFi anywhere you go,” and “portable WiFi modem,” Dragon metrics can help you find out the questions that people ask using these keywords. In this example, the question is “Can I get WiFi without an internet provider?” So, you can optimize your page to answer this question with your target keywords to snag a related featured snippet.

Featured Snippets Tip 4: Use headers

It is critical to format your content for a featured snippet.

Google wants to see a clear structure, so try to break your content into sections and organize your sections under header tags (h1, h2, h3, and h4).

With an organised format, it is more likely you’ll get the feature snippet.

Featured Snippets Tip 5: Add high-quality images and videos

Everyone likes things that are visually appealing. With a high-quality video or photo, you’ve got a better chance of getting the featured snippet.

Let’s say when you type “how to make mulled wine” in Google, you will find that recipes with high-quality and appealing photos get the feature snippet.

NOTE: Even if your website content is greatly optimized, you might not get the featured snippet if you don’t have visually appealing imagery.

Featured Snippets Tip 6: Stay within the optimal word count

The featured snippet has a word count limit, so you must keep your content concise.

Let’s look at the optimal word count for a featured snippet:

You can see the word count of the featured snippet is roughly around 40-50 words. So, ensure that your content is not too long or not too short.

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Featured snippets are considered the top organic position–position zero–on SERPs. Optimizing for featured snippets puts your content at the top of the list, generating greater traffic and brand awareness.