Google Search Snippet Types and Techniques

We have compiled the types of snippets and techniques you need to target in order to appear in Google's featured content and rich results in our article!

What is a Google Snippet?

A Google snippet is a prominent feature on the Google search results page. This feature is used to present information to users in search results and usually appears at the top of the search engine results page.

Google snippets help users quickly find the information they are looking for when performing a search. Therefore, optimizing a website’s Google snippets is an SEO strategy that site owners use to increase web traffic.

There are various types of Google snippets. Some are designed to simply provide an answer to a user’s query. For example, there are snippets that display product prices, descriptions, or sellers. In addition, there are snippets that include images, videos, and other multimedia elements.

What are the Types of Google Snippets?

Google snippets come in multiple types depending on the need. For example, FAQ snippets that answer question titles, or rich snippets that share practical details such as feature information or price information about a product/service.

Rich Snippets

Rich snippets provide more information on specific topics such as e-commerce products, restaurants, or movie listings. For example, for a query like "Samsung Galaxy S20", a rich snippet example might look like this:

To appear in rich snippets, our websites must include Product Snippet and Review Schema structured data markups. Search engines understand the values in these structured data markups and help us appear in rich snippets.

An example of a Product and Review markup:

{

  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "aggregateRating": {
   
 "@type": "AggregateRating",
  
  "ratingValue": "3.5",
 
   "reviewCount": "11"
  },


  "description": "0.7 cubic feet countertop microwave. Has six preset cooking categories and convenience features like Add-A-Minute and Child Lock.",
  
"name": "Kenmore White 17\" Microwave",
  "image": "kenmore-microwave-17in.jpg",
 
 "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
    "price": "55.00",
  
  "priceCurrency": "USD"
 
 },

  "review": [
  
  {

      "@type": "Review",
   
   "author": "Ellie",
  
    "d
atePublished": "2011-04-01",
 
     "reviewBody": "The lamp burned out and now I have to replace it.",
 
     "name": "Not a happy camper",
      
"reviewRating": {

      
  "@type": "Rating",
   
     "bestRating": "5",
   
     "ratingValue": "1",
   
     "worstRating": "1"
  
    }
    },
    {
     
 "@type": "Review",
     
 "author": "Lucas",
     
 "datePublished": "2011-03-25",
   
   "reviewBody": "Great microwave for the price. It is small and fits in my apartment.",
 
     "name": "Value purchase",
   
   "reviewRating": {

  
      "@type": "Rating",
    
    "bestRating": "5",
     
   "ratingValue": "4",
        
"worstRating": "1"
   
   }
  
  }
 
 ]
}

For more information about rich snippets, you can check out our blog post called A to Z Rich Snippet Guide!

Featured Snippets

The most common type of Google snippet, usually answering a question. They provide answers for queries like "Best...", "How to...", "When...". For example, for a search titled "What are Google penalties?", a featured snippet example would look like this:

To appear in featured snippets, your page must include Article/BlogPosting markup.

An example of an Article structured data markup:

{

  "@context": "https://schema.org",

  "@type": "Article",

  "author": "John Doe",

  "interactionStatistic":
 [
    {

     
 "@type": "InteractionCounter",

      "interactionService": {

        "@type": "WebSite",

        "name": "Twitter",

        "url": "http://www.twitter.com"

      
},

      "interactionType": "https://schema.org/ShareAction",

      "userInteractionCount": "1203"

    
},

   
 {

      "@type": "InteractionCounter",

      "interactionType": "https://schema.org/CommentAction",

      "userInteractionCount": "78"

    }

  ],

  "name": "How to Tie a Reef Knot"
}

Image Snippets

Image snippets display a preview of an image in search results. For example, for a query like "Aurora landscape", an image snippet example would look like this:

For your website to appear in image snippets, the images used on the page must have alt tags, image names must be SEO-friendly, and the images should be used in the relevant paragraph sections.

FAQ Snippets

FAQ snippets are a type of accordion rich result list that shows the most frequently asked questions from a web page’s content under the search result link. For example, for the search "How is a hair transplant done?", an FAQ snippet example might look like this:

For your website to appear in FAQ snippets, using FAQ structured data markups in your article pages will be highly advantageous.

An example of an FAQ structured data markup:

{

      "@context": "https://schema.org",

      "@type": "FAQPage",

      "mainEntity": [
{

       
 "@type": "Question",

        "name": "What is the return policy?",

        "acceptedAnswer": 
{
          "@type": "Answer",

          "text": “

Most unopened items in new condition and returned within 90 days will receive a refund or exchange. Some items have a modified return policy noted on the receipt or packing slip. Items that are opened or damaged or do not have a receipt may be denied a refund or exchange. Items purchased online or in-store may be returned to any store.

Online purchases may be returned via a major parcel carrier.  Click here  to initiate a return.

"
        

}

     
 },

{
        "@type": "Question",

        "name": "When will my credit card be charged?",

        "acceptedAnswer": {

          "@type": "Answer",
      
    "text": "We'll attempt to securely charge your credit card at the point of purchase online. If there's a problem, you'll be notified on the spot and prompted to use another card. Once we receive verification of sufficient funds, your payment will be completed and transferred securely to us. Your account will be charged in 24 to 48 hours."
  
      }
 
     }
       
 }
]
    }

Knowledge Panel Snippets

Knowledge panel snippets provide information about a person, place, or thing, and usually appear at the top of search results. For example, for a query like "Information about Leonardo da Vinci", a knowledge panel snippet example would look like this:

To appear in knowledge panel snippets, it is necessary to include sources and references in the content to ensure the accuracy of the information provided and to make citations to the relevant sources.

The Importance of Structured Data Markups for Google Snippets

Adding structured data markups for Google snippets helps you present your content in a way that search engines can better understand. These markups tell Google what your content is about and how it is organized. This allows search engines to create special presentations such as rich snippets and other featured results in the search results pages.

Here are some common structured data markups and which ones you should add for Google snippets:

Article: This structured data markup is used for news articles, blog posts, and other similar content. It especially includes basic information such as "title," "author," "date," and "image."

Recipe: This structured data markup is used for recipes. It especially includes basic information such as "ingredients," "method," "cooking time," and "calories."

Product: This structured data markup, also known as a product snippet, is used for products on e-commerce sites. It especially includes basic information such as "brand," "model," "price," and "stock status."

Event: This structured data markup is used for concerts, sports events, and other activities. It especially includes basic information such as "event name," "date," "location," and "price."

Video: This structured data markup is used for videos. It especially includes basic information such as "title," "description," "publisher," and "publish date."

These structured data markups are essential for Google snippets and other featured results. Therefore, by using these markups in your content, you can help search engines better understand your content and create featured results.