Featured Snippet
A highlighted answer box that appears at the top of Google search results, above the #1 position.
A featured snippet is a special search result that appears at the top of Google's results page in a prominent box. It pulls content directly from a webpage to answer the searcher's question without them needing to click through. It's sometimes called "position zero."
Featured snippets come in several formats: paragraph (a text answer), list (numbered or bulleted steps), table (data in rows and columns), and video. Google picks the format based on what best answers the query.
To earn a featured snippet, your page typically needs to already rank on page one for the query. Google then selects the result that most clearly and concisely answers the question. Formatting your content with clear headings, concise answers, and structured data helps.
There's a trade-off: featured snippets give you massive visibility but can reduce clicks if the answer is fully displayed. For complex topics, snippets often drive more clicks because users want the full explanation.
Why It Matters for SEO
Featured snippets get significant visibility and can dramatically increase your click-through rate. They let you "jump the line" above competitors who might outrank you organically. They also position your brand as an authority on the topic.