How to Find SERP Features Opportunities

Staying visible on search results is more confusing than ever. Some SEOs claim that informational keywords no longer hold value, especially with AI overviews and featured snippets cluttering SERPs. But that’s not entirely true.

In reality, people still have questions, research online before buying, and link to sources that have helped them write their own content. In fact, informational keywords are essential for establishing brand awareness, building topical authority, and reinforcing your website’s credibility—all of which can benefit your pages aimed at conversions.

Let’s examine why ignoring informational keywords would be a major missed opportunity and how you can adjust your content to secure SERP features that boost your site’s traffic and authority.

Why Informational Keywords Aren’t Dead

A single sentence can’t capture the value of informational keywords. Yet this one can: They open doors that lead to brand loyalty.

In-depth explanation:

• They drive awareness. If you’re absent when people research your niche, your brand essentially goes unnoticed. Appearing in top search results for informational queries keeps your brand in people’s minds from the start.
• They build authority. Google looks for signs that you are an expert. Creating reliable informational content can lead other sites to reference your work, which increases your website’s perceived authority.
• They attract editorial links. Bloggers, journalists, and marketers often need data or quotes to support their articles. If your content is strong, it may be cited by others, which improves your backlink profile.
• They grow brand trust. Visitors who return to your site for useful content begin to equate your brand with expertise. That trust can gently guide them toward a purchase when the time is right.
• They feed top-of-funnel leads. Even if informational traffic isn’t making direct sales, it plants seeds. People see you as the source and later return—often searching by your brand name—when they are ready to buy.

A hidden benefit is that certain informational searches can influence how search engine algorithms assess your site’s authority. By covering topics relevant to your niche, you can boost your entire site’s SEO potential, even for transactional keywords further down the conversion path.

Understanding SERP Features & Featured Snippets

Many SERP features reduce the chance of a standard organic click because searchers see an immediate answer. Examples include Knowledge Panels, AI overviews, or “People Also Ask” sections.

Featured Snippets

A featured snippet is Google’s highlighted answer box that often appears at the top of the SERP (sometimes called Position Zero). It extracts text, lists, or charts from a relevant page to answer the user’s question directly.

Common snippet types:

1. Paragraph Snippet
   Short text that describes the answer. Often triggered by queries like “what is,” “why is,” or “how to.”
2. List Snippet
   A bullet or numbered list. Common for recipes, step-by-step guides, or ranking items.
3. Table Snippet
   Data presented in a table. Often used for comparisons or statistical information.
4. Video Snippet
   A highlighted video—often from YouTube—that answers the query visually.

AI Overviews

Google’s recent display of AI overviews appears at the top and provides brief, AI-generated paragraphs with sources (often several). They commonly show up for conversational or prompt-like queries. There is a higher risk of receiving zero clicks, but there is also a chance for greater exposure if your site is the reference.

How Search Features Help

Even though snippet boxes sometimes reduce clicks, they can raise your brand’s exposure. With the right adjustments, you can:

• Gain SERP real estate. Occupying more of the screen helps your content stand out.
• Project higher authority. Achieving “Position Zero” or a mention in top stories can set you apart.
• Attract additional backlinks. Readers begin to see your site as a trusted source.
• Build brand signals. Regular exposure to your brand helps foster recognition and trust.

Disregarding informational queries out of concern over SERP features might cause you to miss opportunities for brand growth and link building.

Let’s look at how to adjust your content to capture these prominent SERP features.

20 Tips to Get More SERP Features

Below are 20 strategies in bullet form to help your content secure SERP features and appear in Google’s AI overviews:

1. Simplify Your Answers
   • Provide a brief answer in one or two sentences at the start of your content.
   • Then add more details later to provide context.
2. Structure Your Content with Headers
   • Use H2/H3 headings that address common user questions.
   • This makes it easier for both readers and search engines to locate the information.
3. Add Lists or Tables Where It Fits
   • Google prefers bulleted or numbered lists.
   • For presenting data, a table can highlight your unique figures.
4. Embed Original Data
   • Including surveys, studies, or other unique data can make your content stand out.
   • AI overviews often pick up fresh information or statistics.
5. Use FAQ Schema
   • Once your FAQ section is properly marked up, it may appear in “People Also Ask” sections or AI overviews.
6. Answer Common Follow-Up Questions
   • Think about questions like “What comes next?” “How does that help?” or “When should it be done?”
   • This makes your content an all-in-one resource.
7. Utilize “People Also Ask” for Subtopics
   • Enter your main keyword in Google to see which “People Also Ask” questions are triggered.
   • Include these as subheadings in your article.
8. Include Step-by-Step Formats
   • For “how to” or guide-type queries, listing steps can help secure a list snippet.
   • Keep the steps brief and direct.
9. Add a Short Intro
   • Summarize the entire content in 40-60 words at the beginning.
   • This short summary is ideal for snippet extraction.
10. Optimize for Voice Search
    • Write in a conversational tone.
    • Use natural language in a question and answer style, for example: “What is the best approach to X?”
11. Craft Clear Title Tags
    • Even if Google sometimes replaces your titles, a clear, question-based title may help with snippet success.
12. Emphasize Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T)
    • Show credentials, link to reliable sources, and mention real-life experience.
    • This strengthens the trust factor for snippet selection.
13. Avoid Unnecessary Filler
    • Keep your main points clear rather than hidden in lengthy, unhelpful paragraphs.
14. Keep Paragraphs Brief
    • Short paragraphs are easier to read and often match typical snippet lengths.
15. Add Tables for Comparisons
    • If applicable, incorporate tables for product specifications, nutritional information, or pricing to increase chances of tabular snippets.
16. Create Sitelinks
    • A well-organized site with clear internal links can increase the likelihood of Google displaying sitelinks.
17. Embed Videos
    • For tutorials or how-tos, embedding a short video can lead to a video snippet.
    • Accompany the video with a written transcript or summary.
18. Keep Content Updated
    • Regularly refresh your data and recheck facts.
    • Up-to-date content is more likely to be featured by search engines.
19. Write in a Question and Answer Format
    • For short answers, pose a question followed immediately by a clear response.
20. Monitor and Adjust Regularly
    • Track which pages are not securing snippets and update them as needed.
    • Adjust headings, ensure brevity, or change formatting to improve performance.

A Quick SERP Features Comparison Table

Sometimes having everything together is helpful. Here is a simple table for reference:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here i have gathered the most common questions about SERP features.

How do I pick the best informational keywords?

Tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Google’s own “People Also Ask” can help. Review the monthly search volume, difficulty scores, and competitor SERPs. Make sure the query’s intent fits with your content’s purpose.

Is it possible to optimize for AI overviews specifically?

Right now, there is no direct method to optimize for Google’s AI overviews. Focus on E-E-A-T signals by providing unique insights and organizing your content clearly. Keep an eye on your analytics to see if your content is referenced.

Should I aim for snippets or target the standard top ranking?

It is possible to achieve both. Pages that rank in the top positions often have a better chance of being selected for a snippet. Format your content to be friendly for snippets while still targeting a high organic ranking.

Can small websites outperform big brands in SERP features?

Yes. If your content matches user intent well or presents a unique perspective, it can rank higher than that of larger competitors. Just make sure it is helpful, well-organized, and truly addresses user questions.

What is one quick tip to improve snippet chances?

Include a clear, short statement (40-60 words) at the beginning of your page that summarizes the entire topic. You can provide additional details afterward, but search engines often extract snippet content from brief introductory paragraphs.