Featured snippet
The boxed answer pulled to the top of Google, above the normal results, often called position zero.
In depth
What it really means
A featured snippet is the short answer Google lifts from a page and boxes at the very top of the results. It can be a paragraph, a list or a table. Winning one puts you above the number one organic result, which is why it is nicknamed position zero.
Snippets reward pages that answer a question directly and cleanly. The same clarity that wins a snippet also makes your content easy for AI answer engines to quote.
Example
For what is a pillar page, Google might box a two-sentence definition lifted straight from a page that answers the question in its first lines. That page earns the click and the visibility, even if it is not ranked first.
Best practices
- Answer the question in the first one or two sentences, plainly.
- Use the question as a heading, then answer right under it.
- Format for the snippet type: short paragraph, ordered list, or table.
- Keep answers around 40 to 60 words for paragraph snippets.
- Target question keywords you already rank on page one for.
- Add supporting detail below the direct answer.
FAQs
What is position zero?
The featured snippet slot above the first organic result. It is called zero because it sits above rank one.
How do I win a featured snippet?
Answer the question directly near the top of a page you already rank well for, and format it as a clean paragraph, list or table.
Do snippets steal clicks?
Sometimes the answer is enough and the user doesn’t click. But the visibility and authority of holding position zero usually outweigh it.
What snippet formats exist?
Paragraph, numbered or bulleted list, and table. Match the format to the question.
Do featured snippets help with AI answers?
Yes. The direct, well-structured answers that win snippets are exactly what AI engines lift and cite.
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