Rich snippets are search results enhanced with extra visual information like star ratings, prices, images, or cooking times that appear directly in Google search results.
Rich snippets are enhanced search results that display additional structured data beyond the standard title, URL, and meta description. When you search on Google, rich snippets stand out by showing extra information such as product ratings, recipe cooking times, event dates, author information, or price ranges. This additional data is pulled from structured markup code (typically Schema.org vocabulary) that website owners add to their HTML, making them particularly valuable for ecommerce stores looking to showcase product information.
The term 'snippet' refers to the preview of a webpage that appears in search results. A 'rich' snippet simply means this preview has been enriched with extra visual elements that make it more informative and eye-catching. Unlike regular search results that only show basic text, rich snippets can include stars for ratings, images, pricing information, availability status, and many other data types depending on the content type. For instance, a dental practice might display patient ratings and appointment availability.
Rich snippets are not a ranking factor themselves, but they significantly impact click-through rates by making your listing more prominent and informative. They help searchers quickly identify whether your content matches their needs before clicking, which improves user experience and can lead to more qualified traffic to your website. This is particularly beneficial for service businesses like HVAC contractors who can display service areas and contact information. Google automatically generates rich snippets when it detects properly implemented structured data markup on your pages, which is why businesses ranging from restaurants to professional services invest in proper implementation.
• Rich snippets display additional information beyond standard title and description in search results
• They're generated from structured data markup (Schema.org) added to your website's HTML code
• Common types include product ratings, recipes, events, articles, local businesses, and FAQs
• They improve click-through rates by making your listing more visible and informative in search results