Position 0 on Google: how to reach it quickly
Have you ever heard of position zero on Google ? If not, don't worry! This article is all about it. For the past five years, the internet giant has been updating its SERP (Search Engine Results Page) by adding a new position above the first: position zero. Businesses and e-commerce companies are increasingly interested in it to boost traffic to their websites . Here's everything you need to know about the intricacies of position zero and the best practices for achieving it in no time.
But what exactly is position 0 on Google?
In simple terms, position 0 on Google is the first result displayed on a Google SERP page . It's located above the first position without being a paid result. In fact, it appears above the fold, in front of all the organic results, hence the name "position zero".
In practical terms, this is a direct or short, simple answer to a user's search query. It's called a "Featured Snippet" in English . Compared to other results, the text snippet in position zero on Google is much longer, almost a paragraph. Generally, it corresponds to optimized content that ranks well on Google, appearing in the top 10 results .
Position zero, therefore, represents the holy grail of SEO . However, it is displayed differently on the SERP depending on the specific search query.
The different ways of displaying the zero position
Traditional text accounts for approximately 82% of Google's top 1 results . Often accompanied by an image, the result displays a snippet containing keywords. Most frequently, this is a definition . However, Google's top 1 results can be displayed in more ways than one. Google's goal is to provide the most relevant answers to search queries. Therefore, it might offer a tutorial video to answer a question. For example, "How do I install a ceiling light?"
Next, it's quite common to see bulleted or numbered lists 11% of Featured Snippets . The information is presented either in a line or as steps to follow. The most concrete example of a query is a top list . For example, "Top 10 movies to see in 2025" .
Finally, there are tables, which represent about 7% of position zero results . These generally display price lists or a comparison of several products. Of course, for Google to display this type of position zero, users' search queries must contain specific keywords: price, comparison, best product, etc.
Good reasons to covet this position
Internet users' search engine habits, especially on Google, are no longer a secret. They prioritize top positions , but above all, the very first one. And since position zero on Google is at the top of everything else, it goes without saying that businesses have every incentive to covet this spot. The resulting advantages are numerous:
- acquisition of quality organic traffic,
- improving online reputation,
- increased visibility.
At the same time, it's possible to boost sales or the number of newsletter subscribers . The most incredible thing about position zero on Google is that Google chooses which results to display organically . In other words, it's entirely possible to reach this position for free by making a few optimizations . The key is understanding how Google judges content's eligibility for position zero .
Reaching position 0: actions to take
Before learning how to rank highly in Google search results, it's essential to understand how the algorithm selects content . Several criteria must be met to even have a chance. The page must be among the top 10 results , meaning it must appear on the first page of Google. Furthermore, the topic must directly answer a question. Finally, the text or content must be well-structured and easy to read for both users and the algorithm. Therefore, the actions required focus more on the content itself than on the platform or the website.
On-Site Optimization
The long road to achieving the holy grail of SEO on-page or on-site optimization and all heading levels (H1, H2, H3, etc.). Image alt tags should also not be overlooked. In fact, it's beneficial to add relevant keywords to the descriptions .
Provide clear answers
To rank in position zero on Google, there's nothing better than clearly answering a question . This is the kind of content Google values most. But you need to answer several types of questions to entice the search engine . Ideally, you should have multiple answers within the same piece of content. The questions should be placed in H2 or H3 headings .
Add the right keywords and adopt a good writing style
It's clear that to rank well on Google, you first need to know the keywords most frequently used by internet users . It's important to add the most relevant ones without over-optimizing your content. The biggest challenge is integrating them naturally while still providing a direct answer.
To achieve this, there's nothing better than the inverted pyramid Google 's reading algorithms greatly appreciate it when important information is within the first 150 words . Furthermore, you also need to offer different types of content to have any hope of appearing in position zero.
In short, reaching position zero is no easy feat; it requires time and strategy. But it's not an unattainable goal either, quite the opposite. However, one detail about position zero must be emphasized. It can contribute to the "zero-click" trend. This is because if the answer you provide is too explicit, internet users may not click on the link for more information. Therefore, it's up to you to use your language effectively to entice them to click.
🗣 User testimonials about position 0 on Google (real-world experiences)
1. Léa B., independent SEO consultant
“By structuring my content with precise questions/answers and using tags”<h2> For each targeted question, I saw two of my articles appear in position 0 in less than 3 weeks. This doubled the click-through rate (CTR) on those pages without any additional link-building effort
2. Mathieu D., founder of a blog on natural health
“I got featured snippets for the query ‘how to do intermittent fasting?’ after rewriting my paragraphs to 40-50 clear words. Traffic to that page jumped by 180% overnight.”
3. Julie R., e-commerce entrepreneur in interior design
“By adding a structured FAQ at the bottom of each product page with Schema.org markup, I got several snippets for questions like ‘How do I hang a picture without drilling?’ Very effective for local SEO.”
4. B2B specialized web agency
"By testing different formats (tables, lists, short definitions) and monitoring retrievable snippets via SEMrush, we were able to position our clients in position 0 on competitive keywords with a limited content budget."
🎓 SEO expert opinions and data on position 0 on Google
1. Brian Dean (Backlinko)
"Google favors concise answers, presented directly as a list, definition, or table. 40-50 words is the ideal length to appear in featured snippets."
2. SEMrush (2023 study)
"Content that appears in position 0 on Google is twice as likely to have a well-structured layout (H2/H3 headings, bullet points) than content that does not appear there."
3. Ahrefs (study of 2 million snippets)
"99.58% of featured snippets come from pages that are already in the top 10 organic results. On-page optimization therefore plays a more decisive role than authority alone."
4. Marie Haynes, SEO expert & Google Quality Rater Guidelines
"Search intent is key. If your content doesn't exactly what the user is looking for, Google will prefer a more specific competitor, even if your content is better written."
