Technical SEOPublished30.04.2026

SERP (Search Engine Results Page)

The evolution of the results page from 10 blue links to a complex widget aggregator. How to analyze the SERP and choose the right content format.

In brief

SERP (Search Engine Results Page) is the page a search engine generates in response to a user's query. It includes organic results, ads, Featured Snippets, maps, videos and other elements.

Elements of the modern SERP

Today's SERP is a multi-component interface:

  • Organic Results — classic links (SEO's main battlefield).
  • Paid Ads — ad blocks at the top and bottom (up to 4 positions).
  • Featured Snippets — expanded answers directly in search.
  • Local Pack — map and list of local businesses.
  • Knowledge Graph — knowledge panel on the right.
  • Videos, images, products (Shopping), 'People also ask'.

SERP analysis before content creation

Before writing an article or creating a page, study the current SERP for the target query. If the top results are all videos, a text longread is useless — you need a video. If Google shows product listings, the query has strong commercial intent.

SERP types by niche

Commercial queries often feature product carousels and local packs; informational queries show Featured Snippets, Rich Snippets and 'People also search for' boxes. Match your content format to the dominant widget type.

SERP analysis is the first step in any SEO research. It reveals the real intent and the content format Google considers relevant.
FAQ

Common questions

It's not just 10 links — it's a mix of organic results, ads, videos, maps, images and quick answers.
Type the query into Google and look. For bulk analysis use Ahrefs, SEMrush or a rank tracker.
Yes. For Featured Snippets, provide clear structured answers; for videos, use VideoObject Schema and host on YouTube.
It means a highly competitive commercial query. Organic promotion is possible but will require strong authority and excellent content.
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