In one sentence
A featured snippet is the answer box Google shows above regular results for some searches, quoting a short passage from one page, and the same plain, direct answers that win it also help AI assistants quote you.
How Google picks a featured snippet
When a search has a clear answer, Google may lift a short passage, list or table from one page and show it in a box at the top, with a link to the source.
It usually picks from pages that already rank on page one, and from passages that answer the question directly in a few sentences.
Featured snippets vs. AI Overviews
Both reward the same thing: a page that answers the question cleanly. See AI Overviews.
How to win a featured snippet for your store
- Pick a question shoppers search, like "how to clean a cast iron pan."
- Put the question in a heading and answer it in the next two or three sentences.
- Use a numbered list for steps and a table for comparisons.
- Keep the rest of the page useful, so it ranks on page one.
Featured snippet FAQs
Do featured snippets still matter with AI Overviews?
Yes. They still appear on many searches, and the writing that wins them is the same writing AI assistants find easy to quote.
Can product pages win featured snippets?
Sometimes, for questions about that product. Guides, FAQ pages and category pages that compare options win them more often.
How do I see if I have a featured snippet?
Search the question yourself in a private browser window. Search Console doesn't label featured snippets, so checking by hand is the reliable way.
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