What Is a SERP? Search Engine Results Pages Explained

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

1. 1

   Step 1: Start with the search query

   0:18

   The results page responds to the words and context of a search.

   On-screen labels: Search words; Search context; Results page.

2. 2

   Step 2: Text results have several parts

   0:30

   A result can show its source, a title link and a snippet.

   On-screen labels: Source attribution; Title link; Search snippet.

3. 3

   Step 3: Other result formats can appear

   0:42

   Images, videos and other features can share the results page.

   On-screen labels: Image results; Video results; Other search features.

4. 4

   Step 4: Advertisements are labelled

   0:54

   Paid placements and organic results have different roles.

   On-screen labels: Ad label; Paid placement; Organic result.

5. 5

   Step 5: The page can look different

   1:06

   Device, location, language and query can change the presentation.

   On-screen labels: Device view; Search location; Query context.

6. 6

   Step 6: Check the relevant result

   1:18

   Review the page a result leads to and whether it answers the search.

   On-screen labels: Accurate preview; Useful destination; Relevant next step.

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