When you search the internet using Google, you see a search results page with each item containing a web page’s title, a brief description, and its web address. But Google also adds extra helpful things on the search page to make it better for users. Google Quick Answers is one of these extras. These changes aim to improve how web pages appear in search results by optimizing web pages for better visibility.
What is Google Quick Answers?
In September 2014, Google integrated a new feature on its search results page. This feature direct answers to queries like “what is” or “how to.” It works by finding relevant information from web pages and showing it in a “Quick Answers” box below paid listings but above the first organic search result.
The Quick Answers box includes a snippet of the information and a link to the webpage it came from. Sometimes, Google also includes an image from the same page. However, not all Quick Answers have images, which suggests that Google might still be testing this feature.
Since its inception, Quick Answers has received a slew of polarizing reactions. Some webmasters and SEO professionals express concern that if users can read the answers in their entirety on the results page, they may not visit the website. Others see it as an opportunity for increased visibility because Quick Answers includes a link to the webpage.
How Content Lands on Quick Answers
If you’re thinking about making your website more appealing for Google to put up on their Quick Answers box, you need to know about what type of content usually ends up there and how Google picks it. Remember though, that Google likes to show pages from trusted sources with relevant, informative content that’s easy to understand. If your content is spot-on for a question, it’s more likely to show up in Quick Answers.
A twist that simplifies matters: Google doesn’t exclusively favor those who rank first.
Sometimes, Google chooses pages ranked second, third, or fourth because they provide the best answers. If the top ones lack organization or relevant content, search engines will pick even lower-ranked pages. And now, Quick Answers sometimes shows pages aimed at specific places.
How to Get Featured on Quick Answers
After Google launched Quick Answers, website owners checked how it affected their sites. Many saw more people clicking on their site and more visitors coming in. This means worries about Quick Answers hurting clicks might not be true. So, how can you make your site fit for Quick Answers? Here are some simple tips:
1. Get featured in the Google Knowledge Graph
The Knowledge Graph powers certain components of Google’s search results pages, including the Quick Answers box. That’s why featuring your content in the graph is one of the first steps you need to take if you hope to be in the box. To get featured in the Knowledge Graph, you can:
- Use structured data on your website wherever possible
- Use nouns in your content as often as it is naturally possible to do so
- Link to relevant and authority websites
- Get your site and/or brand featured on Wikipedia
Speaking of Wikipedia, you’d do well to take note of how this site organizes data because this is an excellent example of how Google likes things done. Google prefers well-organized and easily accessible data such as those featured in Wikipedia. That’s why featuring your site and artfully combining structured data with quality content and best SEO practices are essential for getting featured in the Knowledge Graph.
2. Select interesting topics
When you share content your audience likes often, you become more important to them. And if you keep sharing cool things, it’s more likely to match what they’re searching for. Even if your page isn’t number one, if it’s the best fit for a question, it might show up in Quick Answers.
3. Create theme-relevant, high-quality content
You know how important it is to create buyer personas, right? Well, you can use your buyer personas to optimize your web pages for Quick Answers as well. What search queries are your buyer personas likely to conduct? What pieces of information are they likely to be looking for online? What keywords are they likely to use? If you have this data about your buyer personas, it will be a lot easier for you to create content relevant to the usual themes of their search queries.
It helps to create web content following a certain theme, based on what type of information you believe your buyer personas are seeking.
You likely know that Quick Answers prefers content related to your main theme. Apart from using info about your target customers, you can also get ideas from talking to small groups and seeing how people engage with your content.
4. Create “how to” lists wherever relevant
If you pay attention to when Quick Answers pop up in search results, you’ll see they usually come up to directly answer a specific question. Most times, people are searching for “how to” do something. This is why it’s imperative that you post how-to’s on your site occasionally, more so with things that your followers and target audience are curious about.
An important thing most newbie website masters miss though: When you write how-to’s, make sure to use the phrase “how to” in the title and throughout the content. Include a quick list of answers with bullet points. You can explain more in detail later in the article, but the bullet points are crucial because that’s what Google shows in the Quick Answers box. Besides “how to,” it’s also good to create content that answers “what is” questions or any other questions your audience might have.
5. Implement best SEO practices
Just like any other time you’re trying to make things better, you’ll need to use simple SEO tricks when you’re making your web pages fit for Quick Answers. Ensure your page is set up well and link to other pages on your site as part of the basics. Keep your content engaging, helpful, and of topnotch quality. Make sure to handle all the technical aspects behind the scenes correctly. If you’re already working hard on SEO, it’ll be easier to get your site ready for Quick Answers.
Answering Common Questions for Quick Answers
When you’re trying to get your website noticed on Google, one helpful trick is to answer the usual questions people have. This can help your site show up in search results.
To make this happen, think about what questions people might ask about the things you know about. Then, write simple, clear answers to those questions on your website. When Google sees the information on your site and thinks it directly addresses a user’s query, for that query, it might put your webpage on the Quick Answers box.
Let’s say you have a website about cooking. People might ask questions like “How do I make my own noodles?” or “What’s a simple way to make ramen eggs?” If you write accurate and concise answers to these questions on your site, Google might choose them to show up on the Quick Answers box for those queries.
So, when you’re crafting content pieces for your website, don’t forget to make sure the information you’re presenting is easy to understand and right to the point. This gives you a higher chance of your content ending up being the first thing people see when they search for answers.
The Latest on Google Quick Answers
Don’t think Google is finished improving Quick Answers just yet. Besides the link to the page where the info comes from and sometimes an image, Google is now adding buttons for certain searches. We’re not sure yet what causes these buttons, but it’s a good change.
Quick Answers is still new on Google’s results pages, so they’re still making it better. Many people are still figuring out how to make their pages work well with Quick Answers. Instead of stressing about it, it’s a good idea to take your time learning how to do it right while watching for more changes.