So, what’s on a SERP? It typically includes a mix of organic results, paid ads, and special features. Organic results are the unpaid listings, ranked by the search engine’s algorithm based on relevance and quality. For example, if you search “best running shoes,” the top organic result might be a blog reviewing popular brands. Paid ads, often labeled as “Sponsored,” appear at the top or bottom of the page—these are businesses paying to be seen. Special features, like “People Also Ask” boxes, featured snippets (a quick answer at the top), or image carousels, provide extra information to answer your query faster.
The SERP is dynamic, meaning it changes based on your search, location, and even your browsing history. For instance, searching “coffee shops” in New York will show different results than the same search in Los Angeles. Search engines use complex algorithms to decide what to show, looking at factors like the keywords in your query, the quality of websites, and how well they match your intent (e.g., are you looking to buy, learn, or find a location?).
Why does the SERP matter? It’s where most online journeys begin—53% of website traffic comes from organic search, according to a 2023 BrightEdge study. For businesses, appearing on the first SERP is crucial since most people don’t click past the first page. Understanding the SERP helps you see how search engines work and why creating relevant, high-quality content is key to being found online.
Want to dive deeper into how to get your website on the SERP? Keep reading!