Last updated on February 8th, 2023
Content writing platforms dream about featuring in the top-ranking spot of the search results page. This top-ranking spot has changed over the years and has gained new significance. It’s no more the first website that features on the results page but is replaced by Google’s Featured Snippet.
What Is A Featured Snippet?
It is often called the ‘Google Answer Box’ and appears when a user asks a ‘Wh question’ such as why, how to, what, etc. The Google Featured Snippet box displays the direct answer to that question from the most relevant source, without the user having to visit the website. This specific facet has increased its value in the eyes of content writing services.
Why Are Google Featured Snippets Important?
Digital marketers should view the Google Featured Snippet box as the Oscar for their domain. In simple words, featured snippets occupy a fourth of the space on a SERP. They dominate all other websites and blogs when it comes to web traffic as a very small number of users go beyond the first results page.
This maximizes growth and business opportunities as most users tend to get the information they’re looking for from the featured snippet, rather than having to search through other multiple other websites.
Tips For Optimizing Your Content For Google’s Featured Snippet Box
As a content writer, you should keep in mind that thorough research with the aim of catering to the user’s intent is the best way to increase your chances of featuring in this prime position. The following are some tips that can help you optimize for this:
1. Accurate Wording
Google’s algorithm analyses the user’s intent and matches it with the answer that most appropriately satisfies their query. Here, the wording and jargon used to come into play. The headers should capture the gist of the topic and include the right keywords.
Moreover, adding paragraph tags is a must as it helps Google identify the answer relevant to the query and feature only that part. Content writing services should note that succinct and short answers of around 40-50 words have the highest chances of featuring at the top of SERPs.
2. Content Format
Brevity is king when it comes to Google’s Featured Snippet. A short and direct answer comprising 40-50 words, followed by comprehensive content is the right format for paragraph-based blogs.
But Google’s algorithm also considers lists, tables, and occasionally images as snippable content. Content writing ideas that condense long-form repetitive content into lists and tables, or even short and crisp paragraphs stand a higher chance of featuring.
3. User Experience Is Crucial
Google likes to provide users with the best possible website or blog that answers their queries. A blog replete with high-quality images, informative tables and charts, numbering, and paragraph breaks enhances user experience and readability, thereby, securing a higher score on Google’s ranking system.
Content writing platforms that mention FAQs, answer queries, and publish comments have a higher chance of featuring in the snippet box.
4. Make Your Content SEO Friendly
An important content optimization tip is to not forget about your SEO strategy while focusing on the Featured Snippet. With time, long-tail keywords have become more and more common owing to the increased use of voice search. You need to conduct extensive research through Google Analytics and keyword trackers to identify the most beneficial keywords in your domain. Moreover, your on-page SEO should be spot on as Google will try to gauge if your content is relevant to the question. Your title tags, meta description, file names, and product-specific landing pages should have well-researched and effective wording.
Read More: 7 Tips for Effective Fintech Content Marketing
Conclusion
While generating content for Google’s Featured Snippet could sound tasking, content writing services like Wittypen offer unmatched content for a plethora of domains. They match businesses with experienced content writers who specialize in that domain and provide effective content solutions.
