Google’s search results sometimes show listings where the snippet describing a page comes before a link to a page, not after as with our standard format. Results displayed this way are called "featured snippets." You might find featured snippets on their own within overall search results, within the "People also ask" section, or along with Knowledge Graph information.
We display featured snippets when our systems determine this format will help people more easily discover what they’re seeking, both from the description about the page and when they click on the link to read the page itself. They’re especially helpful for those on mobile or searching by voice.
Featured snippets commonly contain one listing, but more than one may appear.
How featured snippets are chosen
Featured snippets come from web search listings. Google's automated systems determine whether a page would make a good featured snippet to highlight for a specific search request. Your feedback helps us improve our search algorithms and the quality of your search results.
Tip: If you’re a webmaster, learn how to manage featured snippets in Google Search.
Why featured snippets may be removed
Featured snippets are removed if they don’t follow our policies.
Our automated systems are designed not to show featured snippets that don’t follow our policies. However, since the scale of search is so large, we also rely on reports from our users. Your reports help us improve our search algorithms to avoid issues in the future.
We manually remove any reported featured snippets if we find that they don’t follow our policies. If our review shows that a website has other featured snippets that don’t follow our policies or the site itself violates our webmaster guidelines, the site may no longer be eligible for featured snippets.How to report a featured snippet
If you have an issue with a featured snippet, below the featured snippet, click Feedback. You can report a featured snippet if you think it:
- Doesn’t follow our policies
- Has inaccurate or misleading information
- Gives an answer that you don’t like
To help ensure featured snippets are a helpful experience for everyone, we have systems in place to prevent showing those that are in violation of Google Search’s overall policies or these policies for Search features:
- Dangerous content
- Deceptive practices
- Harassing content
- Hateful content
- Manipulated media
- Medical content
- Sexually explicit content
- Terrorist content
- Violence and gore
- Vulgar language and profanity
Learn more about these Content policies for Google Search.
Featured snippets also has this additional feature-specific policy that is applicable:
- Contradicting consensus on public interest topics: Featured snippets about public interest content -- including many civic, medical, scientific and historical issues -- should not contradict well-established or expert consensus support.
Note: These policies only apply to what can appear as a featured snippet. They do not apply to web search listings nor cause those to be removed.