ONPAGE · SEO GLOSSARY
Position Zero
The featured snippet position in Google Search results that appears above the first organic result (position 1) — called "position zero" because it ranks above the numbered organic positions and provides an answer directly in the SERP.
Definition
Position zero is the informal name for the featured snippet: a selected text, list, table, or video extract shown at the top of Google\'s search results above the first organic result. Google extracts the featured snippet from a page that ranks in the top results for the query, reformatting the content into the snippet display. Types of featured snippets: (1) **Paragraph snippets** — a 40–60 word direct answer to a question query, with the source page URL shown below. Most common for definition and explanatory queries ("what is X"). (2) **Numbered list snippets** — step-by-step processes or ranked lists, with Google extracting the ordered list from the page. Common for "how to" queries. (3) **Bulleted list snippets** — unordered lists of items. Common for "types of" or "examples of" queries. (4) **Table snippets** — comparison data extracted from HTML tables. Common for comparison queries. (5) **Video snippets** — a YouTube video shown at position zero, sometimes with a specific clip marker. The position zero relationship with click-through rate: position zero receives high impressions but variable CTR. For queries where the snippet fully answers the question (simple definitions), CTR to the source page may be lower than position one (users get the answer in the SERP without clicking). For complex queries where the snippet shows the answer is more detailed, CTR can exceed position one. Winning position zero: targeting queries with question format, using answer-first paragraph structure under relevant H2 headers, and structuring list content with proper HTML list elements (not visual lists created with dashes or asterisks).
Why it matters for SEO
Position zero provides significant brand visibility even when CTR is lower than organic position one — the source URL and brand name are displayed prominently in the SERP, increasing brand recognition. For AI answer systems, position zero content is heavily sampled for training and retrieval, making featured snippet positioning an indirect AI visibility signal.
How DeepSEOAnalysis checks this
DeepSEOAnalysis checks the structural signals that correlate with featured snippet eligibility: question-heading usage, answer-first paragraph structure under H2 headers, proper HTML list markup for step-by-step content, and table HTML for comparison data — all of which improve both featured snippet probability and AI answer extraction.
GLOSSARY
Related terms
onpage
Featured Snippet Optimisation
The practice of structuring page content to win Google\'s "position 0" featured snippet — the boxed excerpt shown above organic results for specific queries, most commonly question-based and how-to searches.
Read definition →onpage
People Also Ask (PAA)
A SERP feature showing a collapsible box of related questions — appearing on most informational queries — that represents high-value keyword and content opportunities for SEO.
Read definition →technical
AI Overview
Google\'s AI-generated answer summary displayed at the top of some search results — citing sources from indexed web pages — which can significantly reduce click-through rates to organic results below it.
Read definition →onpage
SERP Feature
A non-standard element in Google\'s search results that goes beyond the traditional "ten blue links" — including featured snippets, People Also Ask boxes, local packs, knowledge panels, shopping results, image carousels, video results, and AI Overviews.
Read definition →See how your site scores on Position Zero.
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