A SERP feature refers to any non-conventional result found on a Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP). These features are designed by Google to deliver quick and pertinent information in the most suitable format for the presented content. Typically more noticeable than standard results, incorporating SERP feature optimization into an SEO strategy is crucial.
Google has integrated approximately seventeen distinct types of SERP features, which can be categorized into organic and paid segments.
**Organic SERP Features**
Organic SERP Features are those whose rankings are determined exclusively by Google’s algorithms.
– **Featured Snippets** pull data from third-party sites to answer direct questions from search terms, known for their high click-through rates. For instance, a search for “How old is Tim Cook?” might yield a featured snippet.
– **Rich Snippets** use structured data markup to enhance search engine understanding of a page’s content, enabling the display of additional details in search results, such as ratings and price ranges.
– **Local Packs** provide information on local businesses that match search terms, offering quick details on ratings, price range, and service types.
– **Local Teaser Packs** are similar to local packs, but with additional information about each business, allowing users to filter and sort results.
– **Twitter Packs** display tweets directly in the SERPs, often from public figures or related to current news.
– **Sitelinks** enhance standard links by providing additional links to specific pages within a website, aiding user navigation.
– **In-Depth Articles** are visually similar to regular search results but are ranked differently and often sourced from large publications.
– **News Boxes** present time-sensitive news topics in blocks of reports from Google News.
– **Knowledge Graphs and Panels** provide factual information about the search topic in a panel on the right-hand side of the page, with data typically sourced from Google and external sources.
– **Reviews** include aggregate star ratings alongside search results.
– **Image Packs** are returned when Google deems visual content crucial for a comprehensive results page.
– **Videos** may be included in search results if they add value, similar to image packs.
– **Knowledge Cards** offer succinct results for search terms, often displaying numerical data.
– **Search Boxes** allow users to search for content on a site directly from the SERPs, requiring the website to have a search engine.
– **People Also Ask card** shows algorithmically-generated questions relevant to a search, with expandable answers and links.
**Paid SERP Features**
Paid SERP Features are purchased by entities to increase the visibility of their products and services.
– **Shopping Results** are purchased by commercial entities to sell their products and services.
– **AdWords (Top / Bottom)** are typically found in the first four spots of a results page and can also appear at the bottom, with a marker indicating their “ad” status.
For businesses, optimizing for SERP features is vital for enhancing user experience and driving traffic and sales. Coalition Technologies, a renowned SEO firm in Los Angeles and a Certified Google AdWords Partner, offers expertise in SEO, lead generation, and local SEO to help take your website to the next level. Contact us today to begin your journey towards improved search visibility and increased site traffic!
