What Are SERP Features?

Let’s understand the concept this way. You Google something simple like “best coffee shop near me”, and before you even click a link, you see a map with top-rated cafes, a list of customer reviews, and maybe even a featured snippet telling you where to get the best espresso. That’s SERP features in action.

Now, if you’re running a website or a business, here’s why this matters, getting into those SERP features can skyrocket your visibility, boost traffic, and even bring in more customers without needing them to click through multiple pages.

Let’s see this in a way that’s easy to understand.

What Exactly Are SERP Features?

SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page, and SERP features are those special elements that appear on Google’s search results beyond the standard blue links. These can be:

• Featured Snippets – The quick answer box at the top of Google (where you want to be!)
• People Also Ask (PAA) Boxes – Google’s way of answering related questions instantly
• Local Pack (Google Maps Results) – Essential for businesses targeting local customers
• Knowledge Panels – The detailed info box that appears for well-known entities
• Image Packs & Video Carousels – Perfect for businesses with visual content
• Top Stories – Google’s way of highlighting recent news articles
• Reviews & Star Ratings – Makes your product or service stand out

Why Does SERP Feature Matter for Your Business?

Getting a spot in a SERP feature means:

• More Visibility – You appear above regular search results
• Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR) – People are more likely to engage with top-positioned content
• More Authority & Trust – Google is practically vouching for your content
• Competitive Edge – You beat competitors even if they have a higher-ranked website

How To Optimise for SERP Features?

 

1. Aim for Featured Snippets
   Google loves content that answers questions. Try this:

• Use questions as headings (e.g., “What is a SERP feature?”)
• Give a concise, direct answer within the first few lines
• Use bullet points or numbered lists for step-by-step content

2. Optimise for ‘People Also Ask’ Boxes
   Google automatically generates these based on what people are searching for. To get featured:

• Identify common questions in your niche
• Provide clear, valuable answers in your content
• Structure content with Q&A-style formatting

3. Dominate Local Pack Rankings (For Local Businesses)
   For businesses targeting local customers:

• Claim your Google My Business (GMB) listing
• Keep NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistent across the web
• Encourage customer reviews (Google values real feedback!)

4. Leverage Image & Video SERP Features
   If you have high-quality images and videos, optimise them for search:

• Use descriptive file names (e.g., best-coffee-shop-dubai.jpg)
• Add alt text describing what’s in the image
• Optimise YouTube videos with SEO-friendly titles & descriptions

5. Get Star Ratings & Rich Snippets
   People trust businesses with visible reviews in search results. To improve your chances:

• Use structured data markup (Schema.org)
• Encourage customers to leave honest reviews
• Display testimonials and ratings on your site

6. Use Schema Markup for Enhanced Search Appearance
   Schema markup is a game-changer for SEO. It helps search engines understand the context of your content, making it more likely to be featured in SERP elements like FAQs, product listings, and recipe snippets. If you’re running an e-commerce store, a blog, or a service-based website, implementing structured data can significantly improve your chances of getting rich results in Google.
7. Optimise for Mobile & Voice Search
   With the rise of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, more users are searching in a conversational tone. This means your content should answer long-tail, natural language queries. Optimising for mobile SEO rankings is also crucial, Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites in search results.

Why You Should Care About SERP Features?

Google isn’t just about ranking #1 anymore, it’s about owning the search results. If your business or website isn’t optimised for SERP features, you’re losing visibility to competitors who are.

So, the next time you search for something on Google, take a look at what appears at the top. Those maps, snippets, images, and FAQs? That’s where you need to be.

Now, the real question is, are you ready to optimise for SERP features and take your visibility to the next level?