Featured snippet

Definition

Featured snippet is Google’s boxed extract of a page that answers the query above or among classic results — the old “position zero.” Jason Barnard’s AEO work started here: be the sentence the engine reads aloud or boxes, not only a rank-four link.

Google picks snippets from indexed pages based on how directly they answer. One box is usual. Policies can remove a snippet that contradicts consensus on civic, medical, or scientific topics.

How it works

Put a short definition or numbered steps high on the page, in text, matching the question people ask. Then add the exception and the source. Schema can help machines parse, but a hidden FAQ is a policy problem.

Worked example

A credit-union page opens with a 42-word definition of a share draft account, then an example. It takes the snippet. A prettier competitor ranks higher in blue links and is not boxed. Voice answers read the credit-union sentence.

How it differs

An AI Overview is a generated blend with supporting links. A knowledge panel is entity data. A snippet is usually one page speaking. You can lose the snippet and still be a supporting link in an Overview.

Common errors

Keyword-stuffing the first sentence. Using images of text as the answer. Buying a snippet. Assuming the snippet URL always gets the click.

Sources

• How featured snippets work — Selection and removal policies
• Google AI features docs — Indexed snippet eligibility
• Google Search Quality Rater Guidelines — Experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trust