In 2025, winning clicks on the Google SERP is no longer just about ranking high. It’s about claiming the SERP features that answer questions instantly and put your brand in front of searchers first. Google featured snippets, rich snippets, and the expanding people also ask google boxes now control how millions of users get information without ever leaving the search page.
This shift means one thing: brands and SEOs who know what are SERP features, how to target them, and how to earn these top spots will stand out while competitors lose clicks. By understanding the main types of featured snippets, how to optimize for ranking SERP positions, and how to get your content chosen for Google Rich Snippets and People Also Ask, you unlock higher visibility, stronger trust, and better results, even as zero-click searches rise.
This guide breaks it all down step by step. Learn which SERP features to aim for, how to find real opportunities, and exactly what to do to secure the spots that drive clicks, traffic, and conversions, not just empty impressions.
SERP features are any special elements on a Google search results page that go beyond the standard list of blue website links. They are designed to answer questions faster, display extra details, or organize information more clearly. Some of the most common SERP Features include:
Understanding what each SERP feature is and how it works, is the first step to ranking for them and capturing more search visibility.
In the past, getting your page to rank in the top three blue links on the Google SERP was the ultimate SEO goal. But in 2025, simply appearing in the list isn’t enough. More than half of all Google searches end without a click to any website because Google’s SERP features like Google Featured Snippets, Rich Snippets, People Also Ask Google boxes, and AI summaries often deliver quick answers directly on the results page.
So what does this mean for you? It means your content needs to win SERP features that keep you visible even in zero-click searches. A well-optimized Google Featured Snippet can place your brand at Position Zero, above every organic link. A clear Google Rich Snippet that shows product details or star ratings can double your click-through rate compared to a plain listing. Securing spots in the People Also Ask Google box creates multiple extra entry points for users searching related questions.
This is especially important because these types of featured snippets also feed answers to voice assistants, smart speakers, and AI search tools, making them critical for your long-term strategy for ranking SERP results. When you know exactly what SERP features are, how they appear, and how to target them, you gain an edge that brings more qualified traffic and boosts your brand’s authority.
In short, understanding and targeting SERP features is no longer optional. It’s one of the smartest, most future-proof SEO investments you can make in 2025.
Also read: How to Optimize for LSI Keywords & Semantic SEO in 2025
Let’s break down exactly how to target each key SERP feature, with clear, realistic steps you can use right now.
A Google Featured Snippet puts your content right at the top of the Google SERP, above all organic links — known as “Position Zero.” This special box answers a search query instantly with a short paragraph, list, or table pulled from your page. Winning one is powerful: it can capture up to 30% of clicks for that keyword, driving traffic without paid ads. To rank for featured snippets, focus on keywords you already rank for in the top five, then match the answer format Google prefers.
Write a clear, direct answer of about 40–60 words near the top of your page, under a heading that includes the keyword, like “What are SERP features?” Keep the rest of your page well-structured with clear subheadings. For example, if you run an interior design blog and rank for “best paint colors for small rooms,” adding a short, neat list at the top can help you win that snippet and stand out from bigger sites.
Google Rich Snippets don’t push you to the top of the Google SERP, but they make your regular link far more noticeable by adding extra details like star ratings, prices, or event dates. They work through structured data, known as Schema Markup, which tells Google exactly what your content includes. Rich Snippets help your listing stand out, look more credible, and get more clicks than plain text links. To earn them, add the right Schema Markup to your pages, whether it’s Product schema for ecommerce, Review schema for testimonials, or Recipe schema for food blogs.
Tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper and Rich Results Test make it easy to add and check your code. Just keep your info fresh, old prices or outdated events won’t do you any favors. For example, an online store selling running shoes can use Product schema to display price ranges and review stars, instantly standing out on a crowded Google SERP for “best running shoes.”
The People Also Ask Google box is a popular SERP Feature, it shows extra questions partway down the Google SERP, each expandable to reveal a short answer plus a link to the source page. These boxes now appear on nearly half of all searches and can bring you extra clicks for related queries you might not even target directly. To rank here, find related questions your audience asks using tools like AlsoAsked.com or AnswerThePublic, then add an FAQ section to your page with clear H2 or H3 headings for each question.
Keep answers short and factual, ideally around 40–50 words, and cover different ways people might phrase the same question. For example, a skincare brand writing about SEO for ecommerce could include a quick answer to “What is a rich snippet in SEO?” at the end, grabbing a People Also Ask spot and more organic traffic without competing for the main keyword.
Knowledge Panels are a special SERP Feature that appear on the right side of the Google SERP for people, brands, or topics Google identifies as an “entity.” They pull trusted information from sources like Wikipedia, Google Business Profiles, and well-structured websites. Having a Knowledge Panel gives you instant credibility and more space on the search page, especially for branded searches, helping users quickly find your address, contact details, social links, and more.
To get one, keep your Google Business Profile accurate and up to date, aim for listings on trusted sites like Wikipedia if you can, and use the right Schema Markup, so Google can connect your information correctly. Make sure your name, address, and phone number are consistent everywhere online. For example, a reputable digital agency might secure a Knowledge Panel showing its CEO, office location, and top clients, all of which boost trust and authority at a glance.
In 2025, search isn’t just about fighting for space, it’s about working smarter to turn every pixel of the Google SERP into your advantage. Winning Featured Snippets, Rich Snippets, and People Also Ask spots is really about showing Google and your audience, that you know how to deliver answers better than anyone else.
But the real win is to always stay ahead of the curve. More clicks. More trust. More customers choosing you over the competition. So keep testing. Keep refining. And remember, the brands that dominate tomorrow’s search aren’t the ones chasing algorithms, they’re the ones building real authority, one helpful answer at a time.
Ready to claim your share of those clicks? Start optimizing, your future customers are already asking.
To rank for SERP Features, structure clear, direct answers, add Schema Markup for Google Rich Snippets, and target keywords you already rank high for on the Google SERP.
A SERP ranking is your website’s position on the Google SERP for a search query, higher rankings mean better chances to appear in Featured Snippets or People Also Ask Google boxes.
The Top Stories feature is a news-focused SERP Feature that shows fresh, trusted articles in a carousel at the top of the Google SERP, boosting visibility for timely content.
Key factors for strong ranking SERP positions are high-quality content, relevant backlinks, fast page speed, and optimizing for Google Featured Snippets and Rich Snippets.
Sandeep Israni is the co-founder of BrightBrain Marketing Technologies LLP – a firm that has now grown into a full-fledged digital marketing agency with 55+ employees and clients from 7+ countries – all under his supervision. He mastered the art of Executive Management at SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, followed by extensive industry experience. His unquestionable expertise allows him to help clients achieve the extraordinary in the digital realm.
