How does Google choose a featured snippet?
Google’s systems decide whether a page would make a good featured snippet for a search, and if so, show it. Google states plainly that you cannot mark up a page to become one.
In practice the extract usually comes from a page that already ranks well for the search and gives a clear, direct answer to it.
What formats do featured snippets come in?
The extract is shaped to suit the question. Common formats are:
- A paragraph that answers a “what is” or “why” question in a few sentences.
- A numbered list for steps, such as a how-to.
- A bulleted list for items, such as types or examples.
- A table for comparisons, prices or specifications.
How do you make a page more likely to be featured?
Make the answer easy to find and easy to lift. You cannot force it, but these habits help:
- 1Find searches you already rank for on page one where a featured snippet appears.
- 2Put the question, or close wording, in a heading.
- 3Answer it directly in the first sentence or two under that heading.
- 4Use a real list or table when the answer is steps, items or comparisons.
- 5Keep the answer accurate and current, then expand on it below.
What does a snippet-ready answer look like?
Here is an example for the search “how long to boil an egg”. The heading repeats the question, and the first sentence gives the full answer: “Boil an egg for 6 to 7 minutes for a jammy yolk and 9 to 12 minutes for a firm one, starting the timer once the water is boiling.” The rest of the section then covers egg size, altitude and cooling.
Can you stop a page appearing as a featured snippet?
Yes. Google says the nosnippet rule is the guaranteed way to block snippets, and text marked with the data-nosnippet attribute will not appear in featured or regular snippets.
A lower max-snippet length can also stop featured snippets, because they only appear when enough text can be shown, but Google does not guarantee this.
Frequently asked questions
Is a featured snippet the same as an AI Overview?
No. A featured snippet quotes one page. An AI Overview is a summary written by AI from several sources, with links to them.
Do I need to rank first to get a featured snippet?
Not necessarily first, but the page usually already ranks on page one for the search. Pages far down the results are rarely chosen.
Does schema markup create a featured snippet?
No. Google says you cannot mark up a page to be a featured snippet. Schema markup helps with other rich results, not this one.
Can I lose a featured snippet?
Yes. Google may switch to another page or stop showing a snippet for the search. Keeping the answer clear and current gives you the best chance of holding it.