On-Page SEO
Featured Snippets: How They Work and How to Opt Out
You can’t apply for a featured snippet. You can make your answers easy for Google to use.
Google describes featured snippets as special boxes where the usual result format is reversed, showing the descriptive snippet first. They can also appear within People Also Ask.
Google says you can’t mark a page as a featured snippet; its systems decide whether a page would make a good one for a search.
Short answer: Featured snippets are highlighted answers Google takes from a page and shows above or within results. There’s no markup to request one. Pages are more likely to be useful sources when they answer a question directly and clearly in a short passage, under a heading that matches the question, followed by detail. To opt out, use nosnippet (removes all snippets) or try lower max-snippet values, which Google says aren’t guaranteed to work.
Key Takeaways
- No markup can request a featured snippet.
- Clear, direct answers under matching headings help.
- Clicking a snippet scrolls to the relevant section.
- nosnippet removes featured and regular snippets.
- Lower max-snippet values reduce, but don’t guarantee against, featured snippets.
Writing answers Google can use
- Use the question (or close to it) as a heading.
- Answer in one or two sentences straight after it.
- Follow with steps, a list or a table where the answer has parts.
- Keep facts accurate and specific.
The same approach helps AI features cite you; see how to make content easier to cite.
Opting out
| Goal | Method |
|---|---|
| No snippets at all | nosnippet robots meta tag |
| Exclude part of a page | data-nosnippet attribute |
| Keep regular snippets, avoid featured ones | Lower max-snippet values (not guaranteed) |
Frequently asked questions
Is there schema for featured snippets?
No. Google says you can’t mark a page as a featured snippet.
Do featured snippets reduce clicks?
It varies. Clicking a snippet takes users to the relevant section of your page.
Can my page lose a featured snippet?
Yes. Google chooses featured snippets per search and can change them at any time.
Want your key pages reviewed?
We review titles, headings, content, internal links and intent match on the pages that matter most, and give you prioritized fixes.
Sources
- Google Search Central: Featured snippets and your website
- Google Search Central: Control your snippets in search results
Last reviewed October 14, 2026.
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