Featured Snippet
The boxed answer Google pulls to the top of results to respond to a query directly — often called position zero.
Definition
A featured snippet is the highlighted box at the very top of some Google results that answers a query directly, pulled from a page Google judges to answer it best. Because it sits above the standard results, it's commonly called "position zero."
In depth
Featured snippets win attention. They occupy the most prominent spot on the page, often with the answer, a source link, and the page title — so they can earn clicks even when your standard ranking sits lower. For question-shaped searches, the snippet is frequently the first and sometimes the only thing a user reads.
To win one, you have to answer the question cleanly and early. Google tends to pull from pages that pose the question as a heading and follow it with a tight, direct answer — a definition, a short paragraph, a numbered list, or a table. Structure matters as much as wording; the clearer the format, the easier it is for Google to lift.
Snippets are volatile — you can hold one for months and lose it overnight, and they don't always send more traffic, since some users get their answer without clicking. We chase snippets where they drive qualified visits, not for the vanity of the box, and structure content so it's eligible without contorting the page.
Worked example
Search "how much does a kitchen remodel cost" and the boxed answer above the blue links — with a price range and a source — is a featured snippet a remodeler's content can win.
SEO
Want this run for you, not just read about?
Own the searches your buyers make right before they act, and compound the traffic over time.