When it comes to Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs), the goal is to get your website as high up on the page as possible. This often means out-ranking other websites for specific keywords.
However, recent additions to SERPs have made it more challenging for website owners to achieve this goal.
One such feature is the “People Also Ask” box, which can take up valuable real estate on the page and push your website down. In this article, we’ll explore some quick solutions to remove the “People Also Ask” box from SERPs and improve your website’s visibility.
How the “People Also Ask” Box Works
The “People Also Ask” box is a feature that displays a series of related questions and their corresponding answers on a SERP. When a user types a query into a search engine, the algorithm tries to identify the user’s intent and displays the most relevant results, including the “People Also Ask” box.
Understanding the Function of “People Also Ask”
The function of the “People Also Ask” box is to provide users with additional relevant information related to their query. When users click on one of the questions in the box, the answer is revealed in a drop-down box. This feature is designed to keep users on the SERP longer, rather than clicking through to other websites.
The questions that are displayed in the “People Also Ask” box are determined by a variety of factors. These include the user’s search history, the website’s authority, and the relevance of the content. The algorithm uses machine learning to identify patterns and trends to provide the most useful and relevant content.
Factors That Determine Which Questions are Shown
One of the main factors that determine which questions are shown is the user’s search history. The algorithm looks at the user’s previous searches and their browsing history to provide relevant and personalized content.
This means that two users searching for the same query may see different questions in their “People Also Ask” box, depending on their previous search history. Another important factor is the website’s authority.
The Domain Authority Role with the PASF Snippet.
Websites that have established themselves as authoritative sources for a specific topic are more likely to have their content featured in the “People Also Ask” box.
In other words, website owners should focus on creating high-quality content that demonstrates their expertise in their niche. Finally, relevance is a crucial factor in determining which questions are displayed in the “People Also Ask” box. The algorithm tries to identify the user’s intent and display the most relevant questions and answers.
Website owners should focus on creating content that answers specific questions related to their niche to increase the chances of being featured in the “People Also Ask” box. In conclusion, understanding how the “People Also Ask” box works and the factors that determine which questions are shown can help website owners optimize their content for better SERP rankings.
By creating high-quality and relevant content, website owners can increase their chances of being featured in the “People Also Ask” box and providing users with the answers they’re looking for.
The Negative Effects of “People Also Ask”
How the box can decrease CTR of organic search results: The “People Also Ask” box takes up valuable real estate on the SERP, pushing organic search results down the page. As a result, users may be more likely to click on one of the questions in the box rather than scrolling down to the organic search results.
One of the main negative effects of the “People Also Ask” box is that it can decrease the click-through rate (CTR) of organic search results. This is because the box takes up valuable real estate on the SERP, pushing organic search results further down the page. As a result, users may be more likely to click on one of the questions in the box rather than scrolling down to the organic search results.
A study by Sistrix analyzed the click-through rates for various websites before and after the implementation of the “People Also Ask” box. The study found that click-through rates for organic search results that were previously in position one on the SERP decreased by 37%, while click-through rates for position two decreased by 13%.
This means that even if a website ranks highly on the SERP, its click-through rate may still decrease due to the presence of the “People Also Ask” box. This can negatively impact website owners who rely on organic search results to drive traffic to their site.
The Importance of Pushing Your Website Up in SERPs
Why it’s important to rank higher in SERPs: Organic search results that are pushed down the page by the “People Also Ask” box may have lower click-through rates. This can negatively impact website owners who rely on organic search results to drive traffic to their site.
Optimizing for Featured Snippets
Increase visibility with featured snippets: One way to take advantage of the “People Also Ask” box is to optimize content for featured snippets. Featured snippets are the answers to specific questions that are displayed at the top of the SERP, above the “People Also Ask” box.
By optimizing content for featured snippets, website owners can increase their chances of being featured at the top of the page, driving more traffic to their site.
Using Schema Markup
Improve content relevance with schema markup: Another way to take advantage of the “People Also Ask” box is to use schema markup. Schema markup is a language for coding that website admins should add to their web pages to help the SEO level of the website’s content.
By adding schema markup to their content, website owners can increase their chances of being featured in the “People Also Ask” box.
Four examples of websites that have successfully optimized their content for featured snippets and schema markup:
- Wikipedia – Wikipedia is a popular online encyclopedia that frequently appears in featured snippets on SERPs. By creating content that is well-organized and structured, and using schema markup to provide additional context, Wikipedia has been able to improve its visibility on SERPs.
- Hubspot – Hubspot is a marketing automation software that has used schema markup to enhance its search engine results. By adding schema markup to its website, Hubspot has been able to provide additional context to search engines, improving the relevance and usefulness of its content in SERPs.
- Food Network – Food Network is a popular website that provides recipes and cooking tips. By creating content that is easy to read and structured, and optimizing for featured snippets, Food Network has been able to improve its visibility on SERPs and drive more traffic to its site.
- Buzzfeed – Buzzfeed is a popular news and entertainment website that frequently appears in featured snippets on SERPs. By creating content that is well-structured and engaging, and optimizing for featured snippets, Buzzfeed has been able to improve its visibility on SERPs and increase its traffic.
Closing the Loop
In conclusion, website owners should consider the impact of the “People Also Ask” box on their SERP rankings and take steps to optimize their content accordingly.
By focusing on featured snippets and using schema markup, website owners can improve their visibility on SERPs and drive more traffic to their site. While the “People Also Ask” box may have some negative effects on organic search results, it also provides an opportunity for website owners to stand out and provide users with valuable information.
Frequently Asked Questions About PASF
What is the “People Also Ask” box?
The “People Also Ask” box is a feature that appears on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) that displays a set of related questions and answers based on a user’s query. The box is designed to provide additional information to users and keep them on the SERP longer.
Is the “People Also Ask” box beneficial for my website?
The answer to this question depends on how you look at it. While the “People Also Ask” box can take up valuable real estate on the SERP, pushing organic search results further down the page, it also provides an opportunity for website owners to improve their visibility and drive more traffic to their site.
By optimizing content for featured snippets and using schema markup, website owners can take advantage of the “People Also Ask” box and increase their chances of being featured on the SERP.
Can I completely remove the “People Also Ask” box from SERPs?
Unfortunately, no you cannot completely remove the “People Also Ask” box from SERPs. However, you can take some time and optimize your content for featured snippets and use schema markup to increase your site chances of being featured in the box. If you do it, your website might improve its visibility on the SERP and drive more traffic to your site.
References:
- “Infinite “People Also Ask” Boxes: Research and SEO Opportunities” – Moz.com https://moz.com/blog/infinite-people-also-ask-boxes
- “What are featured snippets and how do I get them?” – Google https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/6229325?hl=en
- “Schema.org – FAQ Page” – Schema.org https://schema.org/FAQPage
