People Also Ask: Definition and Optimization Guide

One of the features provided by Google on the SERP is People Also Ask (PAA). This feature is also known as Orang Juga Bertanya in Indonesian. Usually, users can find this feature in the form of a box on the first search page.

Just like with rich snippets, the content that is included in the PAA box is selected directly by Google. There are criteria that must be met to be able to get this feature. The most important thing is that the content you present must be able to answer user questions.

So, what can be done so that your content can be displayed in the PAA box? Before knowing how to do it and the content optimization tips that need to be applied, you can listen to the discussion about People Also Ask, starting with the understanding below.

What is ‘People Also Ask’?

People Also Ask is a box that answers questions about a user's search query on the first page of search results. Typically, the displayed answers represent only a small portion of the information contained in the entire content.

PAA boxes help users understand search topics more easily. The trick is to display additional questions related to the search query and provide short answers. Usually, PAA also provides featured snippets of the listed content.

Each answer in the PAA box is usually taken from a certain website page. Google will choose which pages and sections can answer user questions. Answers can also take various forms, such as text, images, and sometimes videos.

How many questions are there in the PAA box? The number of questions provided in this feature is unlimited. A single click on the question in the box opens space for a list of other questions below it.

The Importance of People Also Ask Feature

The People Also Ask feature can help users get short answers to questions entered in search queries. If users are interested in knowing more information, they can open the page link listed in the answer.

Helping Users Understand Search Queries

With the PAA box, users can ensure the accuracy of search queries. In other words, the answers given in PAA can provide information about whether the keywords match the search intent or not.

Generate Organic Traffic

Not only does it benefit the user, but the PAA feature can also have a positive effect on the website. Google lists the page source of the provided short answers. Users who are interested in learning more will open the page link, bringing in organic traffic automatically. 

Providing New Ideas

Website administrators can take advantage of the PAA feature to find new ideas for content when conducting keyword research. Besides that, the questions in the PAA box can also be used as subheadings in the content.

How to Get the People Also Ask on Google

People Also Ask on Google is a feature that lists questions about search queries. To be able to enter this feature, the content presented must be relevant to the keywords and user search intent.

To make sure your content answers user questions through the PAA feature, here are a few ways you can do it:

Do Keyword Research

In SEO activities, keyword research is the main thing that needs to be done. Look for topics and keywords that match the search intent of your target users.

There are several ways to get the right keywords, namely by looking at pages that already have high rankings or the main page. From there, you can see what keywords are used and get rankings.

The characteristics of keywords that need attention are as follows:

• Keywords in the top 20 are more relevant to the search query.
• Keywords that have a search volume of at least 10.
• Keywords contained in the PAA box.

Search Frequently Asked Questions

After getting keywords that match your website niche, it's time to look for questions that users generally search for. If the content you have is related to questions that often appear in the PAA box, then you can optimize the content you have. 

Make Sure Your Content Doesn't Have PPA Features Yet

One thing to note in order to understand this PAA feature is that the answers displayed are the results of searching for a particular query. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether your content is already featured on PAA or not.

If your website page is included as a source of answers, then this question can be skipped. There is no point in doing optimization if your website page already answers the questions in the PAA box.

Check Page Ranking on the SERP

People Also Ask on Google considers page ranking factors in the SERPs to determine answers that match the user's search query. In short, pages that don't rank in the top 10 do not qualify to be sources for answers to questions in the PAA box.

To help check page rankings in the SERPs easily, you can use Sequence Stats. That way, you don't need to manually check the Google search page.

People Also Ask Optimization Tips on Google

After knowing how to present your content as a source of answers that Google trusts, it's time to find out tips on optimizing the PAA feature. You can get the top PAA feature by doing the following:

Give Short Answers

The most effective way to get to the top of the PAA box is to provide short answers. Be sure to clearly answer the questions at the beginning of the content. Usually, this answer consists of two or three sentences.

You also need to provide a full explanation within the content after giving a brief answer at the start. Google will see the short answer as a resource worthy of listing in the PAA box snippet.

Use Questions in Subheadings

One effective method for placing content in PAA boxes is to use questions in subheadings. This method can help users and search engines alike understand the main aspects of the topics being discussed.

This method can signal to Google that the content can answer questions without further ado. For that, use questions in subheadings so that your content can be easily included in the People Also Ask feature on Google.

Include Lists, Not Tables

If possible, make lists or listings rather than tables in the content you present. Sometimes Google can't display the table properly in the PAA tool. This issue can be avoided by numbering the content listings.

If the content doesn't require you to use listings, then there's no need to force it. Both text and visual elements can still be displayed in the PAA box without reducing the quality of the content itself.

Perform Image Optimization

PAA boxes often display an image along with content text that answers a user's question. Therefore, it is necessary to do image SEO by adding alt text, keywords in file names, and descriptive captions.

This is a guide about the People Also Ask feature on Google and how to optimize it. To improve the SEO performance of your website, you can use SEO services from professionals. That way, your content can occupy the top position on the SERP and get PAA features, which can have a positive impact on the website's image.