How to Get Featured Snippets on Google: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

Buddy Rathmell • May 15, 2025

Want your content to appear at the top of Google search results—above even the #1 organic ranking? Featured snippets (also called "Position #0") can skyrocket your click-through rates (CTRs) by 30% or more.


In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ 
What featured snippets are (and why they’re crucial for SEO)
✅ 
The 4 main types (and which one you should target)
✅ 
7 proven strategies to win featured snippets
✅ 
Common mistakes that keep your content from ranking

Let’s dive in!


What Is a Google Featured Snippet?

featured snippet is a selected search result that appears in a special box at the top of Google, answering a user’s query directly.

Example:
🔍 Search: 
"How to tie a tie"
📌 Featured Snippet: A step-by-step guide with images appears above all other results.


Why Do Featured Snippets Matter?

  • Higher CTR – Snippets steal clicks from organic results.
  • Increased authority – Google sees you as a trusted source.
  • Voice search dominance – Alexa & Google Assistant pull answers from snippets.
A google search for what is a featured snippet

The 4 Types of Featured Snippets (With Examples)

1. Paragraph Snippets (Most Common)

  • Best for: Definitions, explanations, and "how-to" guides.
  • Format: 40–60 words of concise text.

📌 Example Query: "What is SEO?"


2. List Snippets (Bullet or Numbered)

  • Best for: Step-by-step guides, tips, and checklists.
  • Format: Ordered (numbers) or unordered (bullets) lists.

📌 Example Query: "Best time to post on Instagram"


3. Table Snippets

  • Best for: Comparisons, stats, and data-heavy topics.
  • Format: Structured tables (e.g., pricing, specs).

📌 Example Query: "iPhone 15 vs. Samsung S23 specs"


4. Video Snippets

  • Best for: Tutorials and visual explanations.
  • Format: YouTube or hosted video with a relevant title.

📌 Example Query: "How to make sourdough bread"


7 Proven Strategies to Win Featured Snippets

1. Target Question-Based Keywords

Use tools like Ahrefs, AnswerThePublic, or SEMrush to find:

  • "Who/What/When/Where/Why/How" queries
  • "Best X for Y" searches
  • "X vs. Y" comparisons


2. Structure Content for Snippet Readiness
  • Answer the question in the first 100 words (Google prefers concise intros).
  • Use headers (H2/H3) that match search queries (e.g., "How to Fix a Leaky Faucet").
  • Keep paragraphs under 50 words for paragraph snippets.


3. Optimize for List & Table Snippets
  • Use bullet points (<ul>) or numbered lists (<ol>) for step-by-step guides.
  • Add HTML tables for comparison-based queries.


4. Improve Content Authority
  • Backlinks matter – High-authority sites are more likely to get snippets.
  • Update old posts – Google favors fresh, accurate content.


5. Use Schema Markup
  • FAQ Schema helps Google identify Q&A content.
  • HowTo Schema boosts step-by-step guides.


6. Monitor & Update Losing Snippets
  • Check Google Search Console for queries where you rank #2–5 but don’t have the snippet.
  • Improve formatting, clarity, or depth to reclaim the snippet.


7. Leverage YouTube for Video Snippets
  • Optimize video titles with exact-match keywords (e.g., "How to Change a Tire").
  • Add timestamps & chapters for better indexing.

Featured snippets drive massive free traffic—but you need a strategic approach to win them.



Next Steps:

  1. Run a snippet gap analysis (use Ahrefs/SEMrush to find opportunities).
  2. Optimize 3–5 high-potential posts using this guide.
  3. Track rankings in Google Search Console.
By Buddy Rathmell November 21, 2025
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