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Zero-click searches have become the rule rather than the exception. But what is zero-click search and how to optimize it for SEO?
In 2025, most of the Google searches end without clicking on the blue link that appears on the search engine result page. In today’s fast-moving world, around 70 % of the searches get their answers directly on the result page.
It shows that users are finding what they are looking for without landing on a website or a web page. For digital marketers or search engine optimisation (SEO) professionals, things can create new challenges, such as how they can stay at the top of the search engine result page, where fewer users actually visit their site.
If you are a marketer or SEO professional and want to know how to stay aligned with the zero-click searches, then this guide can help you. In this guide, we will explore strategies to optimise your website according to the zero-click searches and rank it organically at the top of the search engine results page.
What Do You Mean By Zero-Click Searches?
Mean Of Zero Click Searches
Zero-click searches happen when the user gets the answers they need right on the search engine result page, without clicking on the blue link and going through to any website. In the zero-click, users get their answers through features such as snippets, AI-generated overviews, and other listings. While these tools offer quick information, they often link to the external web pages of the website.
This shift results in more engaging and visually rich search results pages, but it also boosts the competition for organic visibility on SERP. Marketers or SER experts face a clear choice: adapt to the trend or overlook the higher ranking in Google search results.
What is the History and Evolution of Zero-Click Search?
- Early Beginnings of Zero-Click Search
The idea of zero-click search began with tools like Google Local in 2005, which showed direct local business listings in the search results. It is beneficial for users to find the best relevant local information without visiting any other websites or sources.
- Search Become More User-Friendly
As user behaviour changed and users are looking for instant responses, search engines started offering more quick answers by adding knowledge graphs, rich snippets, and visual search elements to make searches faster and easier.
- Enhancement of AI and Conversational Search
In the early 2020s, the use of AI-powered tools and voice assistants pushed zero-click searches further, allowing users to get spoken answers or instant results directly on the search engine results page (SERP).
- Growth in Mobile and Voice Search
With over 80% of people using smartphones and voice commands, the demand for quick and direct answers has increased. Users now expect instant results without browsing multiple sites, leading search engines to boost zero-click features like snippets, voice replies, and quick facts.
How Does Zero Click Search Work?
Zero-click search works by giving users direct answers on the result page, which means they do not need to click on any link or visit any website to get their answer. When a user searches for something in the search box, the search engines use advanced tools such as AI and machine learning to understand the query and provide the most accurate information from reliable sources.
Google shows the answers in the form of various sections such as featured snippets, AI overviews, people also ask (PAA), and knowledge panels. The answer is based on what keyword the user has searches. If a user searches what is the capital of Russia, the answer comes Moscow at the top centre of the result page, and the user gets their answer without clicking on the link.
These quick answers are often collected from high-quality web pages, but the user gets what they need without leaving the result page. As a result, search becomes faster and easier, especially for mobile and voice users who want quick information at their fingertips.
What are the Different Types of Zero-Click Searches?
There are so many types of zero-click searches, including AI overviews, people also ask, featured snippets, knowledge panel, image Pack, product Listing, and direct answer boxes. Let’s discover every kind of zero-click search one by one.
| Zero-Click Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Featured Snippet | A short and well-organised answer (like text, list, or table) shown right at the top of the search engine results page, taken from a webpage to answer the user’s question quickly. |
| People Also Ask | These are drop-down question-and-answer boxes that show related questions with short answers, and more questions appear as users click on them. |
| Direct Answer Box | A short and clear answer that gives basic facts instantly, including definitions, conversions, or simple calculations, without any extra details or formatting. |
| Video Carousel | A row of videos that you can scroll through (mostly from YouTube), giving video answers right on the search results page. |
| Image Pack | A sideways-scrolling row of small images that match what people are searching for visually, such as modern wallpaper design, helps them find answers through pictures. |
| AI Overview | AI tools like Google’s AI Mode give complete and easy-to-understand answers by collecting information from many websites. They also provide links and suggestions for more details. |
Explore Different Types of Zero-Click Searches in Detail
1. Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are highlighted sections that appear at the top of the search engine result page (SERP), offering quick answers to users’ queries. These featured snippets show the title and URL of the source website and include steps, summaries, or even videos according to the user’s question. They offer users useful information by clicking on the link or visiting other web pages.
2. People Also Ask (PAA) Section
People Also Ask is a box that appears at the top center of the search engine results page (SERP). It carries similar questions related to your search query. When a user taps on the question, a drop-down will appear, and a short answer to the question will be provided with a source link.
Every question consists of related questions, which boost users’ experience and save their time and effort. More than 70% of Google searches appear with people who also ask boxes with local search intent.
3. Knowledge Panels
Knowledge panel appears as detailed information boxes on the right side of the search results page. They provide key facts about top entities, places, things, or businesses. Knowledge panels get their information from trusted websites and reliable sources.
Generally, they display information about a business, links to social media platforms, similar images or video graphics, or simple entity information according to the question.
4. Video or Image Carousels
This image and video carousel allows users to browse visual content directly within the search results. These features enhance the user experience by instantly displaying similar photos or videos that the user is looking for. Carousels generally show up when visuals provide a more effective answer to the user’s search query.
What are the Effective Strategies to Adapt Zero Click Searches in SEO?
1. Improve Your Content for Featured Snippets
Improving your content for featured snippets can bring many advantages. It is one of the best ways to showcase your content at the top of the search engine results page (SERP). This featured snippet offers quick answers to the user’s questions, without visiting any website or webpage.
To effectively optimise, you need to structure your content in bullet points or a numerical format and use clear formatting that aligns with the user’s search intent. By following these, you can effectively optimise your content according to the Featured Snippets.
How to Optimise for Featured Snippet
- Provide Brief Answers: Keep your responses in about 40 to 60 words, and place them directly under the heading.
- Use Proper Formatting: In your content, use bullet points, numbered lists, and tables for easy and simple extraction.
- Do Not Use Personal References: Write in third person and ignore brand names from the snippet text.
- Improve Voice Search Compatibility: Ensure your answers sound natural when read aloud.
- Use question-based headings: Add headings that ask questions like what is, how to, or why to make it clear for Google that your content provides direct answers to people.
2. Target People Also Ask Section to Win Zero Click Searches
To take full advantage, people also ask, focus on creating clear and concise question and answer content. Think about the follow-up questions users may have on a topic and include any additional details they might be searching for.
How to optimise for People Also Ask (PAA) Section
- Conduct In-depth Question Research: You can leverage various tools such as Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool or Ahrefs Tool to identify related questions similar to your niche.
- Structure Your Content as Q&A: Create dedicated FAQ sections that carry common queries asked by users.
- Answer Questions Extensively: Provide direct and valuable answers while maintaining accuracy.
- Use Natural Language: Write content that sounds natural and uses the exact words people use when asking questions.
3. Boost Local SEO to Optimise for Zero-Click Search
Boosting your local search engine optimisation can help you drive more zero-click traffic for small businesses that have local physical locations. Local SEO is important, and it provides the most relevant local information on the search engine result page without clicking on the link.
It is beneficial to optimise your content for local SEO You need to improve your Google My Business profile, which consists of relevant information about your products or services.
How to Optimise for Local SEO:
- Use Schema Markup or Structured Data: By implementing schema markup or structures it helps search engines to understand your business information more effectively and use it to show results.
- Optimise Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile: Maintain complete, accurate information related to your business, such as website URL, contact details, timings, address, Google Map link, and photos. It will help you improve your ranking on Google My Business.
- Encourage Customer Feedback: Positive reviews help in boosting credibility and increasing the likelihood of appearing in local results.
- Target Location-Specific Keywords: Include geographic modifiers in content to capture local search intent and use them in your content.
4. Add Schema Markup or Structured Data for Your Website
Schema markup helps search engines better understand your content and show it in top search results more clearly. By leveraging structured data in your SEO, you can showcase important details like business info, product features, FAQs, and how-to guides.
Make sure your schema markup includes information such as basic and relevant information about your business, an FAQ section, profile, event information, and product complete details such as price ratings and whether they are available or not.
How to Optimise Schema Markup Types for Zero Click Optimisation:
- Article Schema: Use these types of schema in your blog posts and news content.
- FAQ Schema: FAQ schema helps you in appearing in people’s also ask section and direct answer sections.
- Product Schema: For e-commerce listings with pricing and availability product schema is the best.
- Local Business Schema: If you are running a local business with a physical location, then this schema helps you in showcasing your products and services in location-specific searches.
- How-to Schema: For instructional content that may appear in step-by-step formats.
5. Build E-E-A-T Authority for AI Referencing
With AI Overviews prioritising authoritative sources, establishing Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) has become crucial. Content optimised for E-E-A-T has higher chances of inclusion in AI-generated results, which leads to enhanced web organic traffic to your website.
How to Optimise for E-E-A-T:
- Create Detailed Author Profiles: You can easily establish credibility through creating well-informed pages about the author bios.
- Collaborate with Industry Experts: By collaborating with others, you can feature expert insights and quotes in your content.
- Create High-Quality Backlinks: Backlinks are the best for building authority and earning citations from reputable sources related to your industry.
- Regularly Improve Your Content: Keep your content informative and stay updated with the current and relevant scenarios.
- Show Real Experience: Include case studies, testimonials, and first-hand examples in your content copy to demonstrate real user experience.
Why Zero-Click Searches Are Increasing Rapidly in 2025?
There are several factors behind the increasing zero-click searches. Here are a few of them you should know in 2025.
1. Increased SERP Features
With continually enhancements in new features like featured snippets, knowledge panels, People Also Ask (PAA) sections, local business listings, and image sliders that provide instant answers right on the search results page. These tools show helpful information at the top, so people often do not need to visit other websites to find what they are searching for.
2. Growth in Mobile & Voice Search
As more people use smartphones and Google voice assistants, most searches now happen on mobile devices. People want quick and easy answers while they are on the go. In 2024, more than 75% of mobile searches did not lead to any clicks. It shows that mobile users prefer getting instant answers right on the search results page, without visiting any website or sources.
3. AI Overviews
AI Overviews was first introduced in mid-2024. They take information from different websites and put it together in one easy-to-read summary. These summaries also include links to the sources and suggestions for related questions. Because AI Overviews give a complete answer in one place, people often do not need to click on any links. It is one of the reasons why zero-click searches are increasing in 2025.
4. Google’s Answer-Engine Tactics
Google is trying to give people direct answers on its page, so they don’t need to visit other websites. It helps Google keep users on its platform for longer. By showing helpful information right away, Google makes the search experience faster and easier, which is why zero-click searches are becoming more common.
5. User Expectations for Speed
Today’s users want quick results. They don’t like waiting for pages to load or clicking on many links to find an answer. If they can see the answer right away on the search page, they prefer that. This habit of looking for instant answers is why zero-click searches are becoming more popular.
What are the Tools for Measuring Zero-Click Searches?
When it comes to tracking the zero-click search, there are lots of tools that come to mind. Here are a few of them mentioned below:
1. Google Search Console (GSC)
Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that helps you track and understand how your website is performing in Google Search results. With the help of GSC, you can easily track your zero-click searches as it provides you with complete insights, such as how many users get the answers to their query on search results due to no-click content.
2. Moz
If you want to track your zero clicks, then you should choose Moz, as it is known as the best tool for measuring the total number of zero-click searches you have received on your website. This tool has the most advanced features that help you track your overall search activity, such as zero-click search. Moz tool is reliable for analysing and identifying which search query provided the most zero-click searches and which one attracts more web traffic. Moz pricing starts at $99/month for the Standard plan and goes up to $599/month for the Premium plan with more features.
3. SEMrush
With the SEMrush tool, you can easily track your website’s performance, such as which keywords are generating more traffic, daily traffic, and more. This tool is also helpful in finding the top-performing pages of your website. To track your zero-click searches, you can do so with ease, as this tool has an easy-to-navigate interface and modify your strategy accordingly. SEMrush pricing starts at $129.95/month, with higher plans offering advanced SEO and marketing features.
4. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is also considered one of the leading tools for tracking zero-click searches. By using this tool, you can easily track organic traffic, audit your website, conduct keyword research, and manage backlinks. It also has a keyword ranking checker tool, which helps you identify the specific keywords that drive more zero-click searches and craft content to target those keywords. Moz pricing starts at $99/month for the Standard plan and goes up to $599/month for the Premium plan with more add-on features.
What is the Impact of Zero-Click Searches on SEO?
Zero-click searches are those searches where you rank at the top of the search engine result page, where there might be a chance that your organic traffic might be floating or dropping. There is are broad impact of zero-click search on your SEO landscape, let’s explore a core impact.
1. Lower Click-Through Rate
Whether you are ranking higher on the search engine result page, but will not get the desired traffic, as people will not actually visit your website due to direct answers, featured snippets, and AI overviews.
2. Challenging for Measuring Success
Zero-click makes it challenging to track the progress of your search engine optimisation strategy, as traditional metrics such as web traffic may not correctly show the impact of your content. When it about to attributing conversions back to specific queries, it becomes more complicated.
3. Reduced Website Traffic
In the current scenario, when a user searches for any query on Google, the answer comes in the form of an AI overview, featured snippets, or other SERP features. They may not visit any link that comes in front of their eyes, even if they are ranking at the top, which can lead to lower organic web traffic.
4. Content Cannibalisation by AI Summaries
AI Overviews and other search features can summarise your content directly on top of the search engine result page, with the user does not need to visit your website. In this scenario where your content begins by answering users’ queries without attracting traffic to your website.
5. Bad for Engagement and Conversions
When a user will not click on your website, it can lead to lower for opportunities to connect and engage with potential customers on your website. Through this lost of leads, conversions, and sales that happen once a user visits your website.
What is the Future of Zero-Click Search?
Zero-click searches are becoming more common as people want fast answers without any effort. It is changing the overall game of how search engines work, and it is shaping the future of SEO. These trends are likely to grow in the next few years:
- Growth of Voice Search
By rapidly increasing the demand for voice search, people are using voice assistants that help them perform faster searches. Voice searches usually give direct answers without needing to visit any web page.
- More AI Overviews
AI-generated summaries will become a standard part of search results. These overviews will collect information from different sources and display it in one place, which can lead to fewer clicks and traffic on websites.
- Mobile-Optimised Search
There are more than 80 percent of searches come from mobile devices, which can increase the demand for quick search. With zero-click features, it becomes easier for mobile users to get what they need quickly.
- Advanced Search Engines
Google and other search engines will continue to get better as AI and machine learning evolve. They will understand users’ queries better and provide them with the best results instantly.
- Need for Highly-Advanced SEO Strategy
By changing the digital landscape, marketers and businesses must adapt by creating helpful, well-informed, and easy-to-read content. Need to optimise for snippets, E-E-A-T, AI overviews, and structured data will stay important.
Ending Thoughts on What is Zero Click Search and How to Optimize It for SEO
Zero-click searches are quickly becoming common as more people are looking for fast, direct answers. Google and other search engines now show information right on the results page. It means fewer users are clicking on websites, as they are directly getting their answers.
While this change may seem challenging for SEO professionals and digital marketers, it also brings new chances to stand out in the search results. By optimising for features like snippets, AI overviews, and local results, businesses can still stay visible. If you are a business and want to know the strategies to adapt to zero-click Searches in SEO, then read our complete guide.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to What is Zero Click Search and How to Optimize It for SEO
Zero-click searches are the type of searches that happen when Google shows the answer right on the search engine result page, so people do not have to click on any website to get the information they need or the query to resolve.
Start by finding keywords that often show zero-click results. You can use various tools to find keywords. Once you have found them, write or update your content to follow search page guidelines, give clear answers, and make it ready for AI-based summaries.
Google wants to give users the easiest and most helpful browsing experience. That is why it displays short answers at the top of SERP. These answers usually come from websites, and Google includes a link to the original page. So, if users want more details, they can still visit the site.
AI helps search engines give better answers by understanding what people are really looking for. Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini make search engines smarter, so they can show direct answers right on the results page. It is one big reason why zero-click searches are becoming more common.
Author Profile
- Avnish Tiwarihttps://clipstrust.com/blog/author/avnish/
