Features of Google's SERPs Explanated

Features of Google's SERPs Explanated

A result that shows up in Google search results that offers functionality or information above and beyond the "classic" 10 blue links in organic search results is referred to as a SERP (Search Engine Results Page) feature. Google's overarching objective is to make it as easy and fast as possible for users to find the answers to their queries, to solve their issues, or to accomplish their goals. This includes SERP features.

The goal of SERP features is to immediately fulfill users' search intent from the search results.

An illustration of Google search results for the term "best sci-fi movies 2019" can be seen here. You'll see that it combines SERP elements with organic results:

In this illustration, organic results are shown in blue while SERP characteristics are emphasized in pink.

A word on terminology

Although we label certain features as "SERP" features and others as "organic results" to distinguish them from more "normal" search results, the fact that SERP features are almost always produced programmatically by Google leaves you with very little control over them. will cause your website to have a SERP feature (but you may choose not to have featured snippets).

referring to the traditional 10 blue links as "organic results" back in 2001, when the only "non-organic" results were sponsored advertisements that were determined by the amount that marketers had to pay for clicks. or once descended.

Features of Organic SERPs

Google generates the majority of its SERP components automatically. In other words, Google use an algorithm to determine the purpose of a user's query, determine which feature best serves that purpose, and choose which users to include in that feature. C The page or content that will be shown.

These are automatically-appearing SERP features.

Highlighted Extract

Google uses featured snippets to provide users with what it considers to be the most reliable and high-quality material available when they ask a certain inquiry. As a consequence, this content will appear above sponsored adverts in search results.

Because featured snippets show up in the top 10 organic results, they are sometimes referred to as "position zero" or "rank zero."

It is noteworthy, nonetheless, that the website hosting the information shown in the featured snippet will appear in the top 10 organic results.

There are four parts to featured snippets:

the information

picture of pictures

the page title

URL of the page

One, two, or three sentences may be the content:

alt text for image

Detailed instructions:

A sample recipe with detailed directions is provided

List of the most popular entries that the user has found (the precise number of items may vary depending on the snippet):

Though we are certain that Schema.org markup is not used in the process, we are unsure of precisely how Google generates these unique snippets. Nevertheless, if you are able to get one for your website, the exposure and traffic it receives would be quite beneficial.

With our guide to featured snippets, you can find out more about this feature, identify chances for your website, and optimize for a successful one.

leading tales

A carousel known as the Top Stories SERP feature shows Google News articles that are relevant to a search query's topic:

Google Carousel of Top Stories

It is simple to add your website to Google News, even if there is no assurance that Google will choose your material for the carousel:

Adhere to Google's content guidelines for legitimacy and excellence

Avoid frequent technological mistakes by adhering to Google News' technical recommendations.

Make a request to be indexed in Google News (you must first confirm your website via Google Search Console).

Although it's a start, joining Google News does not ensure that your website will show up in the top stories section for a given query (Google News uses its own ranking algorithm).

Additionally, people request boxes

The Related Questions box, also known as the People Also Ask feature, is a drop-down list of questions that Google believes are relevant to the user's search query. Upon selecting a question, the feature will enlarge to showcase a brief excerpt of the information that addresses that particular subject, akin to a highlighted snippet:

Concerning SERP characteristics, people also inquire

Additional related questions will load when you click to expand one of the answers.

This feature might show up anywhere in the search results "" at the top, bottom, or in the center, depending on the situation. It seems to be influenced by the other SERP elements that are shown.

Related question snippets show the query, the response (bold text highlighting important details), and the URL and title of the page from which Google retrieved the material.

Related Questions: Google automatically generates the sites and information it chooses based on its algorithm.

It's also important to note that linked inquiries will display a specific snippet in their results. It should be noted that the sites and information used for the highlighted snippet may differ from those shown in the related question feature.

nearby pack

Google's Decision-Making Process for SERP Features: An Explanation

A result that shows up in Google search results that offers functionality or information above and beyond the "classic" 10 blue links in organic search results is referred to as a SERP (Search Engine Results Page) feature. Google's overarching objective is to make it as easy and fast as possible for users to find the answers to their queries, to solve their issues, or to accomplish their goals. This includes SERP features.

The goal of SERP features is to immediately fulfill users' search intent from the search results.

An illustration of Google search results for the term "best sci-fi movies 2019" can be seen here. You'll see that it combines SERP elements with organic results:

In this illustration, organic results are shown in blue while SERP characteristics are emphasized in pink.

A word on terminology

Although we label certain features as "SERP" features and others as "organic results" to distinguish them from more "normal" search results, the fact that SERP features are almost always produced programmatically by Google leaves you with very little control over them. will cause your website to have a SERP feature (but you may choose not to have featured snippets).

referring to the traditional 10 blue links as "organic results" back in 2001, when the only "non-organic" results were sponsored advertisements that were determined by the amount that marketers had to pay for clicks. or once descended.

Features of Organic SERP

Google generates the majority of its SERP components automatically. In other words, Google use an algorithm to determine the purpose of a user's query, determine which feature best serves that purpose, and choose which users to include in that feature. C The page or content that will be shown.

These are automatically-appearing SERP features.

Highlighted Extracts

Google uses featured snippets to provide users with what it considers to be the most reliable and high-quality material available when they ask a certain inquiry. As a consequence, this content will appear above sponsored adverts in search results.

Because featured snippets show up in the top 10 organic results, they are sometimes referred to as "position zero" or "rank zero."

It is noteworthy, nonetheless, that the website hosting the information shown in the featured snippet will appear in the top 10 organic results.

There are four parts to featured snippets:

the information

picture of pictures

the page title

URL of the page

One, two, or three sentences may be the content:

alt text for image

Detailed instructions:

A sample recipe with detailed directions is provided

List of the most popular entries that the user has found (the precise number of items may vary depending on the snippet):

Though we are certain that Schema.org markup is not used in the process, we are unsure of precisely how Google generates these unique snippets. Nevertheless, if you are able to get one for your website, the exposure and traffic it receives would be quite beneficial.

With our guide to featured snippets, you can find out more about this feature, identify chances for your website, and optimize for a successful one.

leading tales

A carousel known as the Top Stories SERP feature shows Google News articles that are relevant to a search query's topic:

Google Carousel of Top Storie

It is simple to add your website to Google News, even if there is no assurance that Google will choose your material for the carousel:

Adhere to Google's content guidelines for legitimacy and excellence.

Avoid frequent technological mistakes by adhering to Google News' technical recommendations.

Make a request to be indexed in Google News (you must first confirm your website via Google Search Console).

Although it's a start, joining Google News does not ensure that your website will show up in the top stories section for a given query (Google News uses its own ranking algorithm).

Additionally, people request boxes

The Related Questions box, also known as the People Also Ask feature, is a drop-down list of questions that Google believes are relevant to the user's search query. Upon selecting a question, the feature will enlarge to showcase a brief excerpt of the information that addresses that particular subject, akin to a highlighted snippet:

Concerning SERP characteristics, people also inquire

Additional related questions will load when you click to expand one of the answers.

This feature might show up anywhere in the search results "Depending on what other SERP features are shown, it could show up at the top, bottom, or in the center.

Related question snippets show the query, the response (bold text highlighting important details), and the URL and title of the page from which Google retrieved the material.

Google automatically generates related questions by using its algorithms to identify sites and information.

It is also important to note that similar query searches will display a featured snippet in the results; however, the information and sites utilized for the highlighted snippet may differ from those shown in the related inquiry feature.

nearby pack

Google will choose whether to display content from the agers account, the @Russo_Brother account, or an unrelated account (@AMCHelps is an official business account; it is not associated with Disney, Marvel Studios, or The Avengers).

The tweets that comprise the carousel may originate from the same feed, or they may come from Twitter search results related to a particular subject, as seen in the example above.

Twitter wheel using only one account

Everything is determined by what Google believes is most relevant to the user's search query.

app bundle

Searchers using mobile devices may now see results from Google Play (for Android users) or the App Store (for Apple users) in their search results thanks to Google's App Pack SERP feature, which displays the top 6 applications that Google deems relevant.

When Google determines that a user is seeking specifically for a certain kind of app based on the terms they use in their search, it will provide app packs.

"App Store Optimization" (ASO) is the process of getting your app featured in Google's App Pack and at the top of the App Pack. "SEO for your app" is a common way to refer to SEO, but it's important to remember that app stores use different ranking algorithms than Google's regular ranking algorithm, and this means that your app may appear in the App Pack more often than not.

Therefore, your app won't really get into the app packs and vice versa, regardless of what factors (speed, links, content, etc.) propelled your website to the top of the SERPs.

Additionally, it's important to understand that app indexing—which is the process by which Google retrieves material from apps and presents it in its own organic search results—is not the same as the App Pack SERP feature.

employment

When a user searches for a job, Google's Jobs SERP feature appears, displaying job listings that are relevant to the user's location.

Google will display any or all of the following data in this feature:

title of employment

employment agency

Location

The original website where the inauguration was uploaded

What is the duration since the posting of the opening?

whether the position is part-time or full-time

It will also display predicted commuting times if your home address is added to your Google Account.

Additionally, customers may utilize this function to filter job openings according to

Class and social

Subject

Location, as well as the distance from that place

Date of Posting

part-time vs full-time

Sector

Name of the fir

Additionally, job searchers may save or store job listings and create notifications for new positions that match their criteria.

Google uses job openings it discovers by searching employer websites and career sites (like Indeed or Monster) to build this function.

For those who do not publish their own job vacancies, make sure the career sites you post to include this markup (most of the major players do). If you host job vacancies on your site, you might be able to bring your job vacancies to this feature by applying the Job Posting Schema as well as adding it to your job pages using JSON-LD.

Make sure your structured data is accurate before publishing by using Google's structured data testing tool. After your structured data has been confirmed, publish your content and submit your URL using Google's Indexing API. If you are not able to use the API, you may wait for Google to crawl and locate your pages again.

panel for the knowledge graph

Google Knowledge Graph panels display searchable entities, such as people, places, objects, and brands, and they include all the data that Google is aware of and deems pertinent to the entity.

Search Engine Result Panel for Google Knowledge

Additionally, Google will leverage data from its Knowledge Graph to respond to queries from users in search results.

Getting your site's URL into Knowledge Graph results is very challenging. For some, this is unachievable due to the lack of a URL or link to a page.

Therefore, you should instead concentrate on ensuring that your company, brand, website, or even personal information is accessible on your website, social media accounts, Google My Business profile, wiki, and is current on Pedia (if relevant), among other directories and citations.

Because Google uses your information to generate the Knowledge Graph panel for local firms, your Google My Business information is very significant.

Features of the Local Knowledge Graph SERP

Features of Paid SERPs

As everyone is aware, Google displays advertisements that advertisers pay for to appear on their websites. Website owners and marketers may profit from two different SERP features that are available on a pay-per-click (PPC) basis.

Promotion

Although the existence of sponsored adverts outside of regular organic search results and their alteration of SERP appearance make them worth noting, their status as a legitimate SERP element is up for debate.

Paid search results are now referred to as Google Ads, formerly known as AdWords.

Search results pages display Google advertising at the top, above organic results and non-paid SERP elements, but below any possible Google Shopping results.

Though they are represented by the @gers or @Russo_Brother accounts, or by an unrelated account commenting on the subject (@AMCHelps is an official corporate account, but linked with The Avengers, Marvel Studios, or Disney Not there), Google Ads seem almost identical to organic results.

The tweets that comprise the carousel may originate from the same feed, or they may come from Twitter search results related to a particular subject, as seen in the example above.

Twitter wheel using only one account

Everything is determined by what Google believes is most relevant to the user's search query.

app bundle

Searchers using mobile devices may now see results from Google Play (for Android users) or the App Store (for Apple users) in their search results thanks to Google's App Pack SERP feature, which displays the top 6 applications that Google deems relevant.

When Google determines that a user is seeking specifically for a certain kind of app based on the terms they use in their search, it will provide app packs.

"App Store Optimization" (ASO) is the process of getting your app featured in Google's App Pack and at the top of the App Pack. "SEO for your app" is a common way to refer to SEO, but it's important to remember that app stores use different ranking algorithms than Google's regular ranking algorithm, and this means that your app may appear in the App Pack more often than not.

Therefore, your app won't really get into the app packs and vice versa, regardless of what factors (speed, links, content, etc.) propelled your website to the top of the SERPs.

Additionally, it's important to understand that app indexing—which is the process by which Google retrieves material from apps and presents it in its own organic search results—is not the same as the App Pack SERP feature.

employment

When a user searches for a job, Google's Jobs SERP feature appears, displaying job listings that are relevant to the user's location.

Google will display any or all of the following data in this feature:

title of employment

employment agency

Location

The original website where the inauguration was uploaded

What is the duration since the posting of the opening?

whether the position is part-time or full-time

It will also display predicted commuting times if your home address is added to your Google Account.

Additionally, customers may utilize this function to filter job openings according to

Class and social

Subject

Location, as well as the distance from that place

Date of Posting

part-time vs full-time

Sector

Name of the firm

Additionally, job searchers may save or store job listings and create notifications for new positions that match their criteria.

Google uses job openings it discovers by searching employer websites and career sites (like Indeed or Monster) to build this function.

For those who do not publish their own job vacancies, make sure the career sites you post to include this markup (most of the major players do). If you host job vacancies on your site, you can assist with bring your job vacancies to this include by using the Job Posting Schema as well as adding it to your job pages using JSON-LD.

Make sure your structured data is accurate before publishing by using Google's structured data testing tool. After your structured data has been confirmed, publish your comfortable and submit your URL using Google's Indexing API. If you are not able to use the API, you may wait for Google to crawl and locate your pages again.

panel for the knowledge graph

Google Knowledge Graph panels display searchable entities, such as people, places, objects, and brands, and they include all the data that Google is aware of and deems pertinent to the entity.

Search Engine Result Panel for Google Knowledge

Responds to queries from users in Google search results. It also uses data from its knowledge network to make learning decisions.

Getting your site's URL into Knowledge Graph results is very challenging. For some, this is unachievable due to the lack of a URL or link to a page.

Therefore, you should instead concentrate on ensuring that the information about your company, brand, website, or even yourself that appears on your website, Google My Business page, social media platforms, Wikipedia (if relevant), and other directories and citations is current.

Because Google uses your information to generate the Knowledge Graph panel for local firms, your Google My Business information is very significant.

Features of the Local Knowledge Graph SERP

Features of Paid SERPs

As everyone is aware, Google displays advertisements that advertisers pay for to appear on their websites. Website owners and marketers may profit from two different SERP features that are available on a pay-per-click (PPC) basis.

Although the existence of sponsored adverts outside of regular organic search results and their alteration of SERP appearance make them worth noting, their status as a legitimate SERP element is up for debate.

Paid search results are now referred to as Google Ads, formerly known as AdWords.

Search results pages display Google advertising at the top, above organic results and non-paid SERP elements, but below any possible Google Shopping results.

Although they are presented, Google advertisements resemble organic results in virtually every way.