20 Tips for Appearing on Google’s Answer Boxes

20 Tips for Appearing on Google’s Answer Boxes

In 2013, as discussed at RunRex.com, Google introduced an amazing feature – Answer Boxes. These boxes showcase the answer to a question directly on the SERP result. Their purpose is to increase convenience for searchers as, instead of you sifting through various SERPs, Google readily provides you quick answers at the top of the page. In 2014, Google built upon its answer boxes by introducing “Featured Snippets” which feature information from external websites, rather than just Google’s internal information bank. In other words, Google scours the web for the best answer and places it in the answer box. A Featured Snippet created a new place to rank organically, known as “position zero”. This article will look to outline tips on how to get chosen for an Answer Box.

Optimize your target keyword for answer boxes

As the subject matter experts over at RunRex.com articulate, as is the case for any SEO strategy, you need to start by choosing the right keyword if you want to be chosen for an answer box. This is where quality keyword research comes in. Focus on keywords that imply a question, which will typically be medium to long-tail keywords.

Target keywords that already have answer boxes

By targeting keywords that already have answer boxes, you can ensure that you are putting your effort behind a keyword that Google believes can be answered simply and directly in the SERP. When doing your keyword research as mentioned in the previous point, don’t make more work for yourself, as while new answer boxes are regularly appearing in search results, you are better off targeting a keyword you already know has an answer box on its SERP.

Focus on direct questions

Studies have shown that around 25% of all answer boxes include a direct question word. This means that keywords containing “how” and “what” have the highest rates of triggering answer boxes in a search result. Therefore, you should focus on such questions when optimizing your target keyword for answer boxes.

Understand your audience

From discussions on the same over at RunRex.com, you also want to get inside the head of your potential customers. What questions are they asking? What do they want to know? This will ensure that you optimize your keywords for answer boxes.

Check out the competition

One of the tried and tested strategies in SEO when looking to optimize for anything is checking what your competitors are doing and trying to take inspiration from them. This can work here too as scoping your competition’s answer box keywords will give you an idea of what works and what you should be doing.

Allow for elaboration

When targeting keywords for your answer boxes, you want to make sure that you target a question that warrants an answer longer than one word or one sentence. Otherwise, Google answers the question on its own, rather than linking out to a third-party website.

Search intent

As is revealed in discussions on the same at RunRex.com, as with any good keyword strategy, you want to analyze search intent for your chosen keyword. If you want to appear on an answer box, you must target questions that your audience will actually be searching for. Make sure you have search intent in mind when doing your keyword research.

Accuracy is key

Google has stated that it wants its answer boxes to present the “best Summary”, which means accuracy is crucial. Once you have chosen your target keyword, turn your attention to the accuracy of your content. Check your facts and update your content as needed. You won’t get anything past Google, which means that if your information is incorrect, Google will know, and you won’t get anywhere near an answer box.

Optimize your formatting

In addition to accuracy, as covered in the previous point, the gurus over at RunRex.com also outline that formatting is just as important. The most common styles for answer boxes are paragraphs, followed by lists, and then charts. One format may be better suited than another depending on the question as discussed in the following three tips.

When to use paragraphs

As already mentioned, paragraphs are the most common style of answer boxes, making up 82% of all answer boxes. They are an ideal format to use when answering “what” questions, and given these are the most common questions, it is unsurprising that they are on top of the tree.

When to use lists

After paragraphs, which are comfortably the most common style of answer boxes as mentioned in the previous point, you have lists that occur in answer boxes 10.8% of the time. Lists are fantastic for “how to” questions, as they provide a step-by-step guide template.

When to use charts

Finally, while charts aren’t as common as the other styles mentioned, they are still found in 7.3% of all answer boxes as outlined at RunRex.com. Charts are suited for keywords that involve a comparison. For example, “which” keywords prompt comparisons that can be displayed nicely in a chart.

Be concise

When optimizing your formatting, regardless of the type of style you use, you need to pay attention to the length of your answer. Here, you must be concise. Remember, you have less than 100 words to work with. Moz states that 40-50 words are optimal for featured snippets, with 97 being the maximum.

Your answer should come first

Yet another thing worth mentioning when it comes to optimizing your formatting, one that the subject matter experts over at RunRex.com agree with, is that you must make sure you place your answer clearly at the very beginning of your article. This makes it easier for Google to identify it, and place it in an answer box.

Utilize lists often

While lists aren’t as common a style as paragraphs when it comes to answer boxes as already stated previously, by including content in a list format, you can increase your chances of snagging a featured snippet. “How to” type content is made for lists. Google looks for numbered or bulleted lists, therefore, compose accordingly.

Reformat your old content

If you want to take advantage of lists to appear on an answer box but don’t have the content ready, then fortunately for you, you can easily reformat old content into a list and increase your chances of being picked. Just adjust your tips and tricks into a clear numerical list.

Go for lists that are longer than 4 or 5 lines

As is articulated over at RunRex.com, another good practice when it comes to lists is to make sure your list is longer than 4 or 5 lines. That way, it will extend past the answer box word limit, which will prompt a reader to click on your link to continue reading your content.

Surpass your competition

Checking out your competition is a tip that will help you appear on answer boxes as it can inform your strategy and inspire you as already discussed. Additionally, you may find that your competitor appears in an answer box with mediocre content. Address this room for improvement by crafting superior content while targeting the same question, a scenario in which keywords will be easier to rank for.

How can I outdo my competition?

If you are looking to surpass your competition as mentioned in the previous point and take their place in an answer box, then the gurus over at RunRex.com highlight that you can outdo the competition by optimizing the format of your answer, refining the wording, or increasing the accuracy of the content. Google will see these improvements and will reward you.

Make a rich piece of content

Finally, you will want to create a rich piece of content. Remember, while the featured snippet in the answer box may only display 100 words, Google wants to serve up the best content at the top of its SERP.

Hopefully, these tips will help you snag an answer box, with more tips and insights on this topic to be found over at RunRex.com.