How to Optimise for Featured Snippets and ‘People Also Ask’

📖 Introduction

If you’re looking for more visibility without climbing to the top of the search rankings, featured snippets and “People Also Ask” boxes are your golden ticket. These SERP features are often shown above regular listings, making them prime real estate for traffic—even if your site isn’t ranked #1.

This guide will walk you through what these features are, how to target them, and why they’re a crucial part of SEO in 2025 and beyond.

🔎 What Are Featured Snippets?

Featured snippets are short answers Google pulls from websites and displays directly on the results page. They appear above the #1 result, often referred to as “position zero.” They can take the form of:

• 📄 Paragraphs
• 🔢 Numbered lists
• 📋 Bullet points
• 📊 Tables
• 📹 Occasionally videos or visuals

🙋 What Is “People Also Ask”?

This is a collapsible box of related questions that appears in the SERPs. Clicking on one reveals a short answer and a link to the source. These boxes can drive significant traffic—especially if your content is chosen for multiple related queries.

🎯 Why Target Snippets and PAAs?

• 🚀 More visibility without being #1
• 📈 Increased click-through rate (CTR)
• 🧠 Establishes authority and credibility
• 📱 Mobile-first visibility boost

🧠 Step 1: Find Snippet-Friendly Opportunities

• 🔍 Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Surfer SEO to identify keywords that already trigger snippets
• 📊 Filter for keywords where your site ranks in positions 2–10 (you’re more likely to “steal” the snippet)
• 💬 Look for “question-based” or how-to phrases

📝 Step 2: Structure Your Content for Snippets

• 🔠 Use headers (H2, H3) with clear questions
• ✅ Provide direct, concise answers in 40–50 words
• 🔢 Use lists and tables for step-based or comparison content
• 🧩 Add relevant schema markup for FAQs or How-Tos

🙌 Step 3: Optimise for “People Also Ask”

• ❓ Include related questions and answers in your content
• 🧠 Use tools like AlsoAsked or AnswerThePublic to find actual user queries
• 🎯 Create a Q&A section on key pages, linking each answer internally
• 📌 Include your target query in a subheading

📈 Bonus: Formatting Tips That Work

• 🧾 Use short sentences and small paragraphs
• 💡 Highlight important terms in bold or within tags
• 🖼️ Add relevant visuals with descriptive alt text
• 🕐 Update answers frequently to reflect latest info

💬 What the Experts Are Saying

• Lily Ray: “Structured content wins snippets. If Google can understand it, you’ll get featured.”
• Cyrus Shepard: “Snippets reward clarity. Don’t bury answers—lead with them.”
• Barry Schwartz: “Featured snippets change frequently. Optimising once isn’t enough—monitor and adapt.”

✅ Conclusion

Featured snippets and People Also Ask boxes offer a shortcut to prime visibility on Google—if your content is properly structured. Focus on answering questions clearly, using headers wisely, and monitoring what already appears in the SERPs.

With just a few changes, your content could jump from Page 2 obscurity to the very top of Page 1. Position zero isn’t just for giants—it’s for anyone who takes the time to format their content for it.