Search for almost anything, and the results page looks nothing like it did a few years ago. Above the familiar blue links, you might find a boxed answer, a row of related questions, a small map with three local businesses, or a strip of images. Those extras are SERP features, and each one is a chance to claim space on the page that your competitors may be leaving wide open.
Landing in them is not luck. Most SERP features reward the same clear, well-organized content that good SEO already produces, plus a few specific nudges that make you eligible.
What Are SERP Features?
SERP stands for search engine results page. A SERP feature is any result Google adds beyond the standard list of ten links, built to answer your question faster or point you somewhere useful.
Some pull straight from web pages, like a featured snippet that lifts a helpful paragraph to the very top. Others assemble information Google already trusts, like a knowledge panel about a business or brand. Together, these Google search features now fill much of the space people see first, which is exactly why they are worth chasing.
The SERP Features Worth Targeting
There are many, but a short list does most of the work for a typical business:
- Featured snippets: The boxed answer at the top, pulled from a page that explains something clearly.
- People Also Ask: The expandable row of related questions, a strong spot for content that answers what customers commonly wonder.
- Local pack: The map and three business listings that appear for local searches, driven by your Google Business Profile.
- Knowledge panel: The information box about an established business, person, or brand, assembled from sources Google trusts.
- Image pack: A row of images for visual searches, where clearly labeled photos win.
- Video carousel: A strip of videos, useful if you publish how-to or demo content.
- Top stories: The news box for timely, newsworthy topics.
How Do You Earn SERP Features, Though?
Winning a SERP feature comes down to matching what that feature wants. There is no single switch, but the levers are specific.
For featured snippets and People Also Ask, answer the question directly and early, in a clean sentence or a short list Google can lift without rewriting it. For the local pack, a complete and active Google Business Profile with accurate hours, the right categories, and steady reviews does most of the heavy lifting.
Rich snippets, the star ratings and prices that show beneath a link, come from structured data, the schema markup that spells out what your content means. Image and video features reward descriptive file names, alt text, and clear titles.
Underneath all of it sits ordinary, well-built SEO. Google rarely pulls a feature from a page it does not already trust, so ranking well and earning features are the same effort, not two separate ones. Do the fundamentals right and you become eligible for the extras.
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Frequently Asked Questions About SERP Features
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What are SERP features in SEO?
They are the elements Google adds to a results page beyond the standard blue links, such as featured snippets, the local pack, image results, and related questions. Each gives you another way to appear and stand out in search.
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How do I get a featured snippet?
Answer a specific question clearly and near the top of a page, in a format Google can lift cleanly, like a direct sentence or a short list. Pages that already rank on the first page are the ones most likely to be chosen.
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What is the difference between a featured snippet and a rich snippet?
A featured snippet is a standalone answer box at the top of results. A rich snippet is extra detail added to your normal listing, like star ratings or prices, and it comes from structured data on your page.
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Does schema markup help with SERP features?
Yes, for certain ones. Schema is what makes rich snippets like ratings and prices possible, and it helps Google understand your content, though it is not required for every feature.
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What is the local pack and how do I show up in it?
The local pack is the map with three business listings that appears for location-based searches. Showing up comes down to a complete Google Business Profile, accurate business details, strong reviews, and solid local SEO.
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Are SERP features worth it if people do not always click?
Yes. Even when a feature answers the question outright, being the source builds visibility and trust, keeps your brand in view, and still earns clicks from people who want more than the quick answer.
Claim More Space on the Search Page
SERP features are some of the most valuable real estate in search, and most businesses leave them on the table. MJI Marketing builds an SEO strategy that puts you in those spots and keeps you ranking above the competitors who settle for a plain blue link. Schedule a free consultation, and we will find the features within your reach.
