Match your format to the snippet's shape

Match your format to the snippet's shape

Today's lesson: a featured snippet — the boxed answer at the very top — comes in shapes: a paragraph, a numbered list, or a table. Google picks the shape that fits the question, and it usually pulls from a page already written in that shape.

Think of it like packing a suitcase. A folded shirt fits the flat pocket; rolled socks fit the corners. The right shape slides right in.

Write for the shape Google wants:

1. Search your keyword and look at the current snippet. Is it a paragraph, steps, or a table?
2. If it's steps, give clear numbered steps on your page. If it's a table, build a real table.
3. Keep the answer near the top so Google finds it fast.

Giving Google the exact shape it's already showing makes you an easy swap.

Try this: find a snippet in your niche and name its shape out loud: paragraph, list, or table. 🎓