What Is a Featured Snippet?

A featured snippet is Google answering the question for you, in a box, using someone's content. The goal is simple. Make that someone you.

The short version

A featured snippet is a highlighted answer box that appears at the top of Google's search results, above the regular listings, pulling a concise answer directly from a ranking page.

Common formats

• Paragraph answers, the most common type

• Numbered or bulleted lists, for steps or rankings

• Tables, for comparisons and data

How to earn one

• Answer the question directly and early, in 40 to 60 words

• Use a clear heading that matches the question

• Structure content as lists or tables where it fits

FAQ

Is a featured snippet the same as an AI Overview?

No. A featured snippet quotes one source in a box. An AI Overview synthesises an answer from several sources. Both sit above the classic results.