Definition
A featured snippet is a highlighted box at the top of Google results that shows an extract from one web page answering the query, with a link to that page.
Featured snippet explained
Google describes featured snippets as results where the usual format is reversed: the descriptive snippet comes first, then the page title and link. They typically appear for question-style searches and can take the form of a paragraph, a list or a table.
You can't mark up or request a featured snippet. Google's systems decide whether a page would make a good one for a given search. What you can do is make your page the easy choice: rank on the first page for the question, put a concise, direct answer immediately after a heading that matches the question, and use real HTML lists and tables for steps and comparisons.
If you would rather not appear there, Google supports opting out with nosnippet, data-nosnippet or a lower max-snippet setting, although it notes that a low max-snippet value doesn't guarantee featured snippets will stop.
Example
Someone searches “how to reset a smart thermostat”. Your support page has that question as a heading followed by five numbered steps, and Google shows those steps in a featured snippet above the other results, linking to your page.
Why it matters
Featured snippets reward answer-first content with the most prominent spot on the page, and the same structure tends to help with AI Overviews and assistant citations.
Related service
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
We structure your content so search features and AI assistants can use it as the answer, question by question.
Answer engine optimization servicesSources
- Google Search Central: Featured snippets and your website (updated 10 Dec 2025)
Published by Vidern, founded and led by Malhar Shah. Updated .
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Related terms
- People Also AskPeople Also Ask is a Google results feature listing related questions that expand to show a short answer from a web page, with a link to that page.
- Answer-first contentAnswer-first content puts the direct answer to a question in the first sentence or two of a page or section, then adds explanation, evidence and detail.
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)AEO (answer engine optimization) is structuring your content so search features and AI assistants can use it as the direct answer to a question.
- Zero-click searchA zero-click search is one where people get their answer on the results page, from a snippet, AI Overview or other feature, without clicking a result.
- Rich resultsRich results are search listings with extra visual details, such as ratings, prices, images or breadcrumbs, usually enabled by structured data.