What is a SERP?
A SERP (Search Engine Results Page) is the page of results you see after a search, including organic links, ads, and features like snippets, maps and AI Overviews.
In plain English
Modern SERPs are crowded: paid ads, featured snippets, People Also Ask, image packs, local maps, and now AI Overviews all compete for attention. Where you appear, and in what format, matters as much as ranking #1.
Why it matters for AI search
AI Overviews and answer boxes increasingly sit above the classic ten blue links, so being the source those features quote is the new top spot. Understanding SERP features tells you what format to write for.
Frequently asked
Non-standard elements on the results page: featured snippets, People Also Ask, knowledge panels, image/video packs, local maps, and AI Overviews.
SERP features (ads, snippets, AI Overviews) may sit above you, or the query is answered on the page itself, a zero-click search.
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