Back to Glossary

What is a SERP?

Core SEO Concepts

SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page - it's the list of results you see after typing a query into Google (or any search engine).

Every SERP is different. The results depend on what you searched for, where you're located, your search history, and what Google thinks you want to see.

What's on a SERP

A typical SERP contains multiple elements beyond just a list of links.

Organic results

These are the regular blue links - websites that rank based on relevance and authority. They're called "organic" because you can't pay to appear here. You have to earn it through good content and SEO.

Most SERPs show 10 organic results per page. The top 3 positions get the majority of clicks. Position 1 gets roughly 30-40% of all clicks, depending on the query.

Paid ads

These appear at the top and sometimes bottom of the SERP, labeled "Sponsored" or "Ad." Businesses pay for these placements. They look similar to organic results but aren't earned through SEO.

Featured snippets

A featured snippet is a highlighted answer box at the top of some SERPs. Google pulls this from one of the ranking pages and displays it prominently. Getting featured can significantly increase your click-through rate.

People Also Ask

These are expandable questions related to your search. Clicking them shows short answers pulled from ranking pages. They're another opportunity to appear on the SERP beyond traditional rankings.

Other SERP features

Depending on the query, you might also see image carousels, video results, news boxes, local map packs, knowledge panels, shopping results, or related searches. Google customizes the SERP based on what it thinks will be most useful.

Why SERPs matter for bloggers

Your goal is to appear on the first SERP for your target keywords. Page 2 and beyond get almost no traffic - 75% of searchers never scroll past the first page.

But appearing on the SERP isn't enough. You need a compelling meta title and meta description to earn the click. Your listing competes with 9 other organic results plus ads and SERP features.

SERP analysis

Before writing a post, study the SERP for your target keyword. What types of content are ranking? Are they how-to guides, listicles, product reviews, or definitions?

This reveals search intent. If all the top results are comprehensive guides, don't write a short overview. If they're all listicles, consider that format. Google has learned what searchers want - match it.

Position zero vs. position one

"Position zero" refers to the featured snippet that appears above the first organic result. Some SEOs aim for position zero because it's more visible than position one.

But position zero can actually reduce clicks to your site - searchers get their answer without clicking through. Position one often drives more traffic than position zero, depending on the query type.

SERP volatility

SERPs change constantly. Google updates its algorithm, competitors publish new content, and your own rankings fluctuate. A position 5 today might be position 8 next week or position 3 the week after.

Track your SERP positions using Google Search Console or a rank tracking tool. Don't obsess over daily changes - look for trends over weeks and months.

Put this knowledge into practice

PostGenius helps you write SEO-optimized blog posts with AI — applying concepts like this automatically.

PostGenius goes live this month

Drop your email below, and we'll send you a heads-up when it's ready — no spam, just the news. You'll also get your first month free.