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SERP

Search Engine Results Page — the page Google (or any search engine) returns in response to a query.

Definition

A Search Engine Results Page (SERP) is the page displayed by a search engine in response to a user's query. Modern SERPs contain a mix of organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, knowledge panels, image carousels, local packs, video results, and more. Understanding SERP features helps SEOs optimise for the specific result type most relevant to their target query.

Why SERP Matters

The layout of the SERP determines what type of content ranks and how visible your site is. A featured snippet, for example, occupies "position zero" and can drive significant traffic even before the first organic result.

Real-World Example

Searching for "best running shoes" returns a SERP that includes shopping ads, a featured snippet comparing models, organic blog posts, and local store results.

SERP FAQs

What is a featured snippet?

A featured snippet is a special SERP feature that displays a direct answer to a query at the top of organic results. Earning a featured snippet can dramatically increase click-through rates.