Definition
A featured snippet is a highlighted answer box Google displays above organic results (position zero) — extracted from a page that directly answers the search query.
Detailed Explanation
Snippet formats: paragraph, list, table, or video. Google pulls content from pages ranking on page one — you do not submit snippets directly.
Optimization: answer the query in 40–60 words under a question-form H2, use numbered lists for “how to” queries and tables for comparisons. Structured data is not required for featured snippets.
Nepal Context
“What is” and “how much” queries in Nepal (“website cost Nepal”, “SEO price Nepal”) often trigger snippets — structure pricing guides with clear tables and direct answers in the first paragraph.
Practical Examples
- A page answering “How much does a website cost in Nepal?” opens with a two-sentence answer and a price-range table, and is shown as the snippet.
- A “how to register a .com.np domain” guide with numbered steps appears as a list snippet.
How to Check It
- Search your target query in a private window and note which page and format holds the snippet.
- In Search Console Performance, watch for jumps in impressions on question queries.
- Rank-tracking tools can report which keywords show a snippet and who owns it.
Key Takeaways
- Target page-one rankings first — snippets come from existing top results
- Match snippet format to query type (list, table, paragraph)
- Clear on-page structure matters more than schema for snippets
Common Mistakes
- Burying the answer below 500 words of intro
- Using the wrong format (paragraph when Google shows lists)
- Optimizing for snippets on keywords where AI Overviews replaced them
