Imagine this: You Google a question, and boom — the answer is right there at the top, even before the #1 search result. That magical answer box? That’s a Featured Snippet, a.k.a. Position Zero on Google.

Now, imagine your website owning that spot.
What Is a Featured Snippet (a.k.a. Position Zero)?
A Featured Snippet is a highlighted search result that Google pulls from a web page to quickly answer a user’s query. It’s usually displayed above the organic #1 ranking, hence the nickname “Position Zero.”
Featured Snippets come in a few tasty flavors:
- Paragraph Snippets: Answers in short text blocks (usually for “what,” “why,” or “how” questions).
- List Snippets: Bullet or numbered steps (great for recipes, instructions, and ranked lists).
- Table Snippets: Tabular data like comparisons, pricing, or schedules.
- Video Snippets: Often pulled from YouTube with relevant timestamps.
These snippets steal clicks, up to 8% more than the #1 result. So yeah, you want one.
Why Featured Snippets Matter for SEO
Let’s break it down:
- Visibility Boost: Appearing above #1 gives you maximum exposure.
- Voice Search Ready: Featured Snippets are often read aloud by Google Assistant and Siri.
- Authority Signal: Being selected means Google trusts your content.
- More Traffic: Especially for mobile and voice queries, snippets drive more qualified clicks.
So, how do you win this prized spot?
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Win Featured Snippets
Quick Steps to Win a Featured Snippet:
- Target question-based, snippet-enabled keywords
- Answer queries clearly in 40–60 words
- Use clean formatting: lists, tables, or short paragraphs
- Match your subheadings with common questions
- Add structured data (FAQ, HowTo, etc.)
- Write in natural, conversational language
- Keep the content up to date and accurate
Now that you’ve seen the quick steps, let’s dive deeper into how each one works (with real examples):
1. Find Snippet Opportunities (aka Low-Hanging Fruit)
Start by identifying keywords that already trigger featured snippets. Tools like:
- Ahrefs (Keyword Explorer > SERP Features filter)
- SEMrush (Organic Research > Featured Snippets report)
- AnswerThePublic (for long-tail questions)
Look for queries where you already rank in the top 10—you’re halfway there.
2. Target Question-Based Keywords
Google loves questions. Structure your content to answer:
- What is…
- How to…
- Why does…
- Can you…
Add an FAQ section or use H2/H3 headings that mirror those search phrases.
Example:
What is Position Zero on Google?
Position Zero refers to the featured snippet shown at the top of Google’s results, offering quick answers
.
3. Use Snippet-Friendly Formatting
Write content in the format Google loves:
- Paragraphs: Keep it under 40-60 words.
- Lists: Use
<ol>
or<ul>
for easy parsing. - Tables: Use semantic HTML and clear headings.
- Videos: Add transcripts and timestamps if hosting on YouTube.
Bonus tip: Use schema markup (FAQ, HowTo, Recipe) to help Google parse your content.
4. Answer First, Elaborate Later
Don’t make readers dig. Give a clear answer upfront, then explain in detail below.
Bad:
Let’s explore the many layers of content optimization before we define Position Zero…
Good:
Position Zero is Google’s featured snippet shown above all other search results. It’s designed to quickly answer search queries. Here’s how it works…
5. Use Clear, Concise Language
Think like a 6th grader. Seriously. Google wants easy-to-read, direct language. So skip the jargon and fluff.
Try:
- Short sentences
- Plain English
- Bulleted lists
- Step-by-step formats
6. Optimize for Voice Search
Featured Snippets and voice search are BFFs. Use natural language and focus on long-tail keywords.
Example:
“How many hours of sleep should a teenager get?” is better than “teenager sleep duration.”
7. Include High-Quality Images (With Alt Text)
Google sometimes pulls images into snippets. Adding relevant images with descriptive alt text gives you a visual edge.
Real-Life Example: How One Post Earned Position Zero
We optimized a blog post titled “How to Clean a Cat Litter Box” by:
- Adding the exact question as an H2.
- Answering in 42 words right after.
- Including a bulleted step-by-step list.
- Using the HowTo Schema markup.
Result? We claimed the featured snippet within 3 weeks.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Ignoring existing snippets: Always study the current snippet format before competing.
- ❌ Writing fluff: Google wants direct answers, not introspection.
- ❌ Keyword stuffing: Natural language beats robotic repetition.
How to Track Featured Snippet Wins
Use these tools to track if your page lands the snippet:
- Google Search Console (check for higher CTRs)
- Ahrefs or SEMrush snippet tracking
- SERPWatcher by Mangools
Pro tip: Monitor pages ranking #2–#5 closely—they’re in striking distance.
Bonus Tips for Snippet Domination
- Use “People Also Ask” to inspire more questions to answer.
- Update content regularly—snippets aren’t permanent.
- Add FAQs at the bottom of key pages.
- Repurpose snippets into social posts, YouTube Shorts, or voice content.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Think of Featured Snippets like free billboards—prime real estate you didn’t even have to buy.
With the right structure, concise answers, and strategic formatting, Position Zero is within reach—even if you’re not the biggest brand in your space.
So next time someone asks, “How do I get to the top of Google?” —you can smile and say:
“I aim for above the top.”
FAQs
Nope. You can optimize for it, but the final call is Google’s. That said, proper structure dramatically increases your chances.
Not necessarily. Many featured snippets come from pages ranked #2–#5.
It depends. For some, it increases CTR. For others, the answer is enough, and users don’t click. Always monitor your analytics.
It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on crawl frequency and competition.