What do all those little SERP Feature icons mean?
If you work with or receive organic research reports from the competitive research service SEMRush, you may have noticed the recent appearance of a series of new icons. Located just to the right of your keywords, the SERP Features symbols are there to give you information about the types of results that come up for the keyword on a Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP) which are different from traditional organic results. If you see one of these symbols next to a keyword, it means a special type of result appears in a search for that keyword. Let’s take a look at what these various symbols represent.
First, what is an organic result? The simplest way to describe an organic search result is that it is a “regular”, non-paid, result that is returned by a search engine because of its relevance to the search terms. An organic result is a general listing and does not appear as a result of paid advertising. SERP Features are organic or paid results that appear in newer, increasingly important ways that can help drive traffic to your site.
Here are the SEMRush SERP Features icons currently in use and what they mean:
Featured Snippet – A Featured Snippet provides a brief answer to a question asked within Google. SERP Feature Featured Snippet Example…
Local Pack – The Local Pack is a distinctly presented group of results referring to businesses or other points of interest near the location where the search was performed. SERP Feature Local Pack Example…
Reviews – If you operate a commercial business, the Reviews SERP Feature may be available to you. This type of listing includes your star rating and number of reviews displayed beneath your link. SERP Feature Reviews Example…
Site Links – This feature provides targeted internal links as well as link to the main page of the domain. SERP Feature Site Links Example…
Featured Video – A Featured Video will show up on a SERP at the top of the page. SERP Feature Featured Video Example…
Video – A Video may also show up not at the top of the page, but elsewhere farther down in the search results. SERP Feature Video Example…
Top Stories – Keywords related to current news may show up in the display called Top Stories, which is gathered from news sources worldwide and then tailored to individual readers’ interests. SERP Feature Top Stories Example…
People Also Ask – The People Also Ask expandable grid box offers a list of questions relating to your keyword along with additional search results. SERP Feature People Also Ask Example…
Images – A series of images relating to the keyword are available on the SERP. SERP Feature Featured Images Example…
Tweet – Links from Twitter are included on the SERP. SERP Feature Tweet Example…
Instant Answer – The Instant Answer SERP Feature appears when Google has a clear and definitive answer for the question being asked. SERP Feature Instant Answer Example…
Knowledge Panel – Using information gathered from a Google database of trusted sources, a Knowledge Panel offers an extensive answer to a question. SERP Feature Knowledge Panel Example…
Showcase Shopping Ads – Shown above any paid search ads, Showcase Shopping Ads show search results for non-branded search terms and present a collection of relevant products. SERP Feature Showcase Shopping Ads Example…
AdWords Top – This means that AdWords ads have been purchased that relate to your keyword and appear at the top of the SERP above organic results. SERP Feature AdWords Top Example…
AdWords Bottom – This means that AdWords ads have been purchased that relate to your keyword and appear at the bottom of the SERP below organic results. SERP Feature AdWords Bottom Example…
Keep in mind that if you see a SERP Feature icon next to your keyword, it doesn’t mean that your keyword is already featured on SERPs in that way. An SEMRush SERP Feature icon means the keyword has been featured in that form somewhere on the Internet! Consider taking that information as your inspiration to explore new and more effective ways to be seen online. If you’re ready to step up your marketing strategy and want to learn more about structuring your content for SERP Features, reach out to the Loebig Ink SEO Team for a personalized strategy session.