Admissions open Take the eligibility test & see if you can join the next batch. Take the test →
Decoding the Jargon

Featured snippet

Also called answer box, position zero

SEOTerm

A special result where Google shows a short extract from a page first, above or within the regular results, to answer a question directly. Google decides which page to feature; you cannot mark a page for it.

Example

For 'how to wash linen kurta', Google shows three steps from Meera's care guide in a box at the top, with a link to her page.

How you'll hear it

“We hold the featured snippet for the care query, but clicks are low because the box answers the whole question.”

Don't confuse it with

  • Rich results: enhanced listings from structured data. Featured snippets need no special markup.
  • AI Overviews: an AI-written summary drawing on several sources; a featured snippet quotes one page.

Related terms

Want to use this at work? AI-led SEO Excellence is aFactor's 16-week program for SEO work.

Sources

  1. Featured snippets and your website, Google Search Central

Checked 1 October 2026. Examples use a fictional business; figures are illustrative.

Send this to someone

Knowing the words is the start. Using them well is the job.

The role-fit test shows how your judgment lines up with the role you hold or the one you want next.

Take the role-fit test →