A featured snippet is the boxed answer Google sometimes shows above the regular organic results, pulled from a webpage that clearly answers the searcher’s question.
When you earn a featured snippet, you can win the most visible spot on the page for that query, even if you are not ranked #1, because Google is highlighting your exact explanation, steps, or quick definition. For Orlando and Central Florida businesses, this is especially useful for “how-to,” “what is,” and “cost or timeline” searches that happen before someone calls a dentist, lawyer, or home service company.
What a featured snippet can look like
| Snippet type | What Google usually pulls | How you format your page |
|---|---|---|
| Paragraph | A 1 to 3 sentence definition or direct answer | Put a short answer (often 40 to 60 words) right under a question-style heading |
| List | Steps, checklists, or ranked items | Use an ordered list for steps or an unordered list for bullets, with clear labels |
| Table | Comparisons, pricing ranges, sizes, or schedules | Use a simple HTML table with plain column names and clean rows |
| Video | A short clip that answers a how-to query | Host on a trusted platform, add a tight summary on the page, and match the question |
How you earn a featured snippet
There is no “apply” button for snippets. In practice, most pages that win a featured snippet already rank on page one, then they beat other results by answering faster and cleaner.
Start with a real question people type. Look for question phrasing like “what is,” “how to,” “how long,” “cost,” “vs,” and “best.” For example: “How long does termite treatment take in Florida?” or “What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?”
Write the answer first, then the detail. Add a short, direct answer block near the top of the page. After that, expand with specifics, examples, and what someone should do next. This structure helps both skim readers and Google’s snippet systems.
Match the format Google is already rewarding. If the current snippet is a list, you compete with a better list. If it is a table, you compete with a clearer table. One of the fastest wins is rewriting your section to mirror the winning format while improving clarity.
Use clean headings that read like the query. A question-style H2 or H3 such as “How long does X take?” followed by a short answer paragraph is a common pattern that wins. If you want your structure dialed in, our FAQ on how headings affect SEO explains the practical rules we follow on service pages and guides.
Remove ambiguity and add specifics people in Florida care about. Add ranges, conditions, and exceptions that change the answer, like seasonality, humidity, building type, insurance, or licensing limits. For local intent, mention neighborhoods or service areas naturally (for example, “Orlando,” “Winter Park,” “Lake Nona”) only when it fits the question.
Back the answer with trust signals and usability. Clear author or business info, easy-to-find contact details, fast load time, and a page that works well on mobile all support snippet eligibility because they reduce friction and help people validate what they read. This is where our SEO services often overlap with content and on-page cleanup.
A quick reality check: schema markup is not required to win most featured snippets, but clean structured data can still help with other rich results and clarity. If you are weighing what is worth adding, see what schema markup is and why it’s used.
Snippets can rotate or disappear, so treat them like a win you maintain. We usually track snippet-target queries in Google Search Console, update the answer block when the SERP format changes, and keep the page fresh with better examples, tighter lists, and clearer tables. If you tell us your top services and your service area in Orlando, we can point out the best snippet opportunities you already have impressions for, then help you rewrite the sections that are closest to taking the spot.
