Featured Snippets and Zero-Click Searches: What You Actually Need to Know

Let’s be honest, ranking on Google is hard enough without needing to learn all the techy SEO lingo. If you’ve ever wondered how to get featured snippets for your business and show up first on Google, you’re already halfway there. This question ties into two important topics you’ll keep hearing about: featured snippets and zero-click searches.

They might sound technical, but they’re easy to understand. This blog breaks it down for small UK businesses without the waffle. Whether you run a salon, a trades business or an online shop, I’ll explain what these terms mean, why they matter, and how you can use them to help more people find your business online.

How to Appear in a Featured Snippet

You’ve seen them before, the little boxes that pop up right at the top of Google with a quick answer. That’s a featured snippet. It’s called “Position 0” because it shows up before all the other results.

If your content gets into one of those, it’s the first thing people see. That’s a huge visibility boost.

Here’s how to increase your chances:

• Answer the question clearly and straight away
  Example: A featured snippet is a short answer to a question, shown at the top of Google’s results.
• Use headings that ask real questions
  Think: “What is a featured snippet?” or “How do I get my business on Google?”
• Format for clarity
  Bullet points, steps, or short paragraphs work well. Google pulls these easily.
• Find questions your customers actually ask
  Use autocomplete or the “People Also Ask” box on Google to find ideas.
• Use plain English
  Keep it human

This is where good keyword research really helps. You want to find those question-style searches that your ideal customers are typing into Google, then structure your content to answer them properly.

What Zero-Click Searches Mean for Your Business

A zero-click search happens when someone Googles something and gets the answer without needing to visit a website. You’ve probably done it loads of times, things like weather, definitions, or business hours.

It’s natural to think, “Hang on, don’t I want clicks to my site?” Of course. But zero-click isn’t always a bad thing.

Here’s why it can still work in your favour:

• You still get visibility
  If your business info or content is shown, people still see your name.
• It builds trust
  Being chosen by Google adds to your credibility.
• It helps with brand recall
  People might not click straight away, but they’re more likely to search for you directly later.

If you can create content that answers common questions clearly, you’ve got a shot at owning that space. If you’re not sure which terms are worth targeting, my SEO Boost service includes a full site audit and strategy tailored to how your audience is searching, including voice search and those zero-click moments.

What Kind of Searches Trigger Snippets?

Google tends to show featured snippets for very specific types of searches:

• How-to questions
• Definitions
• Comparisons
• Lists and checklists

To find snippet opportunities for your business:

• Search your services or niche on Google. Look at what pops up.
• Use your FAQs or the questions people ask on the phone, in emails, or face to face.
• Check what your competitors are ranking for. If they’ve got a snippet, can you write something clearer?

You can also run a competitor analysis to see which of their pages are winning featured snippets or appearing in zero-click results. It’s a great way to spot gaps and jump ahead.

Competing With Big Brands (Yes, You Can)

Big brands might have budget and teams, but that doesn’t always matter here. Google just wants the best answer. That’s good news for small businesses.

Here’s how you stay competitive:

• Pick specific topics
  You don’t need to cover everything. Focus on detailed, helpful content that speaks directly to your ideal customer.
• Be local and visible
  Keep your Google Business Profile updated and make sure your details are consistent across the web.
• Write like a human
  Don’t overcomplicate it. You’ve got the advantage of sounding real, and that helps.
• Keep showing up
  Regular content updates and fresh blog posts make a big difference over time.

This is where ongoing SEO reporting comes in. It’s not just about tracking rankings anymore. I also check whether AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini are driving traffic to your site, and if they’re pulling your content into those no-click answers.

What You Can Do Right Now?

Ready to put it into practice? Here’s a simple checklist you can start on:

• Add FAQs to your key pages and blog posts
• Use FAQ schema (your SEO plugin can help with this)
• Keep your old content updated
• Break big topics into smaller chunks that each answer a specific question
• Be consistent with your contact details across the web
• Ask for reviews from happy customers
• Try a few short how-to videos, YouTube results often get featured too

You don’t need a huge budget or a full team to appear in featured snippets or benefit from zero-click searches.

Start by answering real questions clearly and consistently. That’s what Google looks for. And that’s what your customers want, too.

If you’re ready to uncover what your audience is searching for and how to show up right where they need you, drop me a message or check out my services. Whether it’s keyword research, competitor insights, or tracking your visibility with detailed SEO reports, I’ve got you covered.