AI search glossary

    What is Featured snippet?

    A featured snippet is a short extract from one page that Google shows above the normal results to answer a question directly.

    It was the original target of answer engine optimisation (AEO).

    Why it matters for your business

    Featured snippets trained businesses to write clear, direct answers. The same habit now helps in AI answers.

    How it works

    1. 1

      Question

      Google detects a question-style search.

    2. 2

      Extract

      It pulls a short passage from one page that answers it.

    Common misunderstandings

    Myth

    You can mark up a page to be the featured snippet.

    Reality

    Google picks snippets automatically; there's no markup for it.

    What to do about it

    • Put a two-sentence answer directly under a question heading.
    • Use lists or tables for step-by-step or comparison answers.

    Questions people ask

    Can I stop my page being a featured snippet?

    Yes, with nosnippet or max-snippet, though that also affects AI features.

    See where your business stands

    Run the Free Check

    Related terms

    AEOAI Overviews

    Defined by Dr. Radhakrishnan KG, founder of WebNamaste · Reviewed 6 October 2026