Have you seen the highlighted answers to your searches in a box on SERPs?
Certainly, multiple hyperlinks or websites pop up when you search online. But only a few make it to the top, especially in the highlighted pane as an ultimate answer. This is well-known as a snippet. Simply imagine – what if your blog or web page’s content emerges there? The number of clicks will be more than ever. And online traffic will increase like never before. Capturing attention and clicks is the real win. This is what rich snippets and featured snippets can do.
SEO experts understand their value, as featuring in snippets can increase your web visibility, click-through rate (CTR), and brand credibility. Here, you will be introduced to some key differences between rich snippets and featured snippets. This guide will help you to use each strategically and gain visibility quickly.
What are Rich Snippets?
Before introducing you to the difference, let’s clarify what rich snippets are.
The additional information that is extracted from your website or online platform to produce a relevant answer to a search query is called a rich snippet. It not only enhances your search results but also displays relevant information from your website. This information may consist of these details with the blue URL and meta description:
- Star ratings
- Product prices
- Event times
- FAQs
- Recipes
- Video thumbnails and more
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In a nutshell, rich snippets are credible results that showcase additional, yet crucial, details that customers are interested in. These details are mostly extracted from the website, where structured data or schema markup is integrated with crucial details. This information quickly immerses customers, and they click within a fraction of time to discover details on the website.
What are Featured Snippets?
Now, let’s talk about featured snippets.
These snippets are information boxes that emerge at the top of Google’s search bar or results. You can search any question and see above all other 0-10 top search results. This place shows a direct answer to queries that users search. It directly introduces the relevant answer, without pushing users to click and open the links to find relevant details from the website.
Thanks to smart Google bots, which extract the most relevant piece of information that ideally fits a user’s query. It also increases the authority of the website or landing pages.
Basically, you can identify featured snippets as
- Lists (ordered or unordered)
- Tables
- Videos
- Paragraphs (most common)
Difference Between Rich and Featured Snippets
Rich and featured snippets are two different approaches to gaining online visibility during searches. Rich snippets appear as one of the standard search listings with some add-ons like ranking, reviews, freebies, offers, discounts, etc. These are key details that attract intended users to click and see the details. Overall, the main goal of this snippet is to cater to the intended information within listings that users look for. Once found, they click and explore. Considering how to display, schema markup is significant. It can be implemented via HTML code. So, a web designer can easily define the format you want the content to display.
On the flip side, featured snippets occupy space above all organic results on SERPs. These are mainly recognised as attention seekers and direct answerers to users’ queries. So, the ultimate use of this snippet is to satisfy users with intended answers instantly. It prevents them from navigating from one link to another. Google algorithms select it according to the structure, clarity, and relevance of your online content. So, this snippet can exponentially improve click-through rates and the visual appeal of your content, gaining wider reach, authority, and visibility. Mainly, it is helpful in AEO and voice searches.
Why Both Matter for SEO & AEO?
Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO, is a popular approach to ranking a website in search results to gain maximum attention, enquiries or leads, and clicks. On the flip side, Answer Engine Optimisation, or AEO, focuses on flashing the answer to voice searches or direct queries. You can consider it like Google Assistant or Siri, which instantly speaks up to answer what you ask. In a nutshell,
Rich snippets are helpful in gaining organic visibility via search engine optimisation. This hack typically helps in engaging users by producing visual details instantly that customers intend to find.
Featured snippets are typically for users who search for an accurate answer. These snippets pop up answers directly at the top of all ranking searches.
Some smart SEO experts and marketers optimise landing pages or content to make them click-worthy and voice-ready. This is how they achieve visibility by winning a place in the top 10 standard results on SERPs and voice-based searches.
How to Get Rich Snippets: Implement Schema Markup for SEO
Well, securing a place as a rich snippet requires schema markup. This is a technical format of structuring data in HTML. Once implemented, search engines understand the structured data, which helps in displaying it as an exact match to a query.
Mostly, web designers leverage Schema.org to discover the right-fit markup for different types of content. These are basically for:
- Articles
- Products
- Reviews
- Events
- Recipes
- Videos
- FAQs
However, Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper or tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math (for WordPress users) are also available. You may explore and utilise the most feasible one to easily embed the code.
This integration will not only make your content visually appealing but also present a crystal clear picture of your content. The structured overview certainly attracts overwhelming CTR and top ranking.
How to Earn Featured Snippets: Focus on AEO Techniques
If you are curious to flash your content in a featured snippet, optimisation is key. The content must be aligned according to voice-based searches. These techniques can help in achieving this goal, like a walkover.
1. Identify common user questions
Get insights into real questions that users ask. This can be way easier if you use tools like Answer the Public, SEMrush, or even explore Google’s People also ask section.
2. Provide clear, concise answers
Focus on precision while answering any query. You can cover the brief in 40–60 words with searchable headers and bullet points. This hack makes the content more comprehensive.
3. Use question-based headings
With the help of tools, you can easily discover burning questions of your target audience.
4. Create a list or table format
Now that you know the questions, jot down the format of the content. This can be how-to’s, comparisons, process descriptions, or tables.
5. Optimize existing top-performing pages
It’s obvious that top-ranking content is relevant. So, a featured snippet can be one of those top-5 ranking contents. If yours is ranking among the top 5, simply optimise and integrate voice search-based phrases. It will feature your content in a featured snippet.
Pro Tip: Use Schema + AEO Together
Schema is crucial, especially when you intend to display your content in a featured snippet, where users receive direct answers. This strategy can be helpful in both cases, rich snippets and featured snippets.
Let’s say you may integrate.
- FAQ schema provides answers to common queries.
- Integrate a How-To schema for a tutorial of any process, describing step-by-step.
These technical aspects can easily feature your content in snippets.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, rich and featured snippets have their own crucial roles. You need to understand the key differences, which guide you to optimise your online content accordingly. If you want to improve the presentation and CTR of your content, rich snippets are the right choice. On the other hand, if you want to boost the authority and visibility of your content, a featured snippet can serve the purpose.