What is “People Also Ask”?
"People Also Ask" is a feature that you often see on Google search engine results pages (SERPs) and typically presents a series of related questions that other people have frequently asked about a topic.
The purpose of this feature is to provide additional information related to your search query. When you click on one of these questions, the box expands to provide a brief answer, typically extracted from a relevant web page.
Why is it important?
The "People Also Ask" feature enhances the user experience on search engines and provides valuable opportunities for websites to increase their visibility and better meet the needs of their audience.
This is important for various reasons, both from the perspective of the users and the website owners or SEO professionals:
For Users
Presenting frequently asked questions related to the search query helps users explore and understand the topic in depth. This can lead to more informed decisions and a better understanding of the subject matter.
It often provides quick answers to simple questions right within the search results, so users don't always need to click on a website to get the information they're looking for. This can save users time and effort.
For Website Owners/SEO Professionals:
It provides another opportunity for website content to be featured in Google's search results. If a website's content is selected as the answer to a "People Also Ask" question, it could significantly increase the visibility of the site, which could potentially lead to more clicks and traffic.
Understanding the questions in the "People Also Ask" feature related to a website's content can give SEO professionals insights into what information users are looking for. They can use this information to create content that better meets the needs of users, potentially giving them a competitive edge.
The "People Also Ask" box can provide insight into long-tail keywords and related queries that users are searching for. This can help SEO professionals optimize their content to align with these queries.
How to optimize for it?
Here is how you can optimize your content to get appeared on the “People Also Ask” box in the search results:
Offer Concise Initial Answers
For any specific queries that your content is addressing, ensure to provide an immediate and to-the-point response. Ideally, this initial answer should be within two to three sentences.
This concise answer increases the likelihood of Google featuring it in a PAA box or a featured snippet.
Leverage Lists Over Tables When Appropriate
While tables can be featured in PAA boxes, Google sometimes struggles with their correct display.
Therefore, consider utilizing bulleted or numbered lists to format your answers whenever it suits the content.
However, don't force your content into a list format when it's not necessary. Content formatted as paragraphs or images can also rank in PAA boxes.
Incorporate Questions into Subheadings
Including questions in your subheadings can be beneficial. This tactic aids in user navigation and helps search engines better understand your content.
It also signals Google that your content directly responds to a certain question, increasing its potential to be featured in PAA boxes.
Focus on Image Optimization
Often, PAA boxes feature images, so optimising your images becomes crucial here. Ensure your images have informative file names and descriptive alt texts. Also, adding captions and using the surrounding text to describe your images can enhance their SEO value.
By adhering to these strategies, you can improve the chances of your content appearing in the "People Also Ask" boxes, thereby potentially increasing your website's visibility and traffic.
Takeaway
The PAA feature enhances users' understanding of a topic and allows them to delve deeper into related areas.
For website owners and SEO professionals, optimizing content for Google's "People Also Ask" (PAA) feature can enhance their website's visibility and improve user engagement.