How to Win Featured Snippets & “People Also Ask” Boxes
Google’s featured snippets and “People Also Ask” (PAA) boxes are prime real estate in search results. Appearing in these spots can double or triple your click-through rates—without needing the #1 ranking.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What are featured snippets & PAA boxes?
- How to optimize content to win them
- Advanced strategies to dominate position zero
- Tools to track snippet performance
Let’s get started!
Why Featured Snippets & PAA Boxes Matter
- Featured snippets (Position Zero) get 35% of all clicks (SEMrush).
- “People Also Ask” boxes appear in 90% of searches (Ahrefs).
- Voice assistants (Alexa, Siri) pull answers from snippets.
Bottom line: If you’re not optimizing for these, you’re missing free, high-intent traffic.
Types of Featured Snippets
Google displays snippets in 4 main formats:
- Paragraph (50-60 words, most common)
- List (Bullet points or numbered steps)
- Table (Data comparisons, e.g., “iPhone 15 vs. Samsung S23”)
- Video (YouTube clips often appear here)
How to Win Featured Snippets
1. Target Question-Based Keywords
- Use tools like AnswerThePublic, AlsoAsked, or Google’s “People Also Ask” to find queries.
- Example: Instead of “best CRM software,” target “What is the best CRM for small businesses?”
2. Structure Content for Snippets
- Answer questions directly in the first 50 words.
- Use H2/H3 headers for questions (e.g., “How do I get a featured snippet?”).
- Bullet points & numbered lists win list snippets.
3. Optimize for “People Also Ask”
- Expand your FAQ section with related questions.
- Interlink answers to increase snippet chances.
- Monitor PAA trends with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
4. Use Schema Markup
- FAQ Schema helps Google understand Q&A content.
- How-To Schema boosts step-by-step guides.
5. Improve Content Authority
- Backlinks from high-DA sites increase snippet eligibility.
- Update old posts with fresh, concise answers.
Pro Tips to Dominate Position Zero
Tools to Track & Optimize for Snippets
- SEMrush (Track “Position Zero” rankings)
- Ahrefs (Analyze PAA question gaps)
- Surfer SEO (Optimize content for snippets)
Final Checklist for Winning Snippets
- Target long-tail questions
- Structure answers clearly (Headers, lists, tables)
- Use schema markup
- Update & repurpose old content
- Monitor performance monthly
