A SERP feature showing related questions and answers, often targeted for featured snippet SEO.
Ever notice those little boxes of questions that pop up on Google when you search for something? That is the “People Also Ask” feature, and it is a goldmine for your website’s traffic. For 15 years, I have helped my clients use this feature to get massive visibility, and I want to show you how. I am going to share my best-kept secrets on how to use People Also Ask (PAA) to boost your SEO. Get ready to dominate the search results!
What is People Also Ask (PAA)?
So, what is People Also Ask (PAA)? It is a feature in Google’s search results that shows a box of related questions. When you click on a question, an answer appears, often with a link to the website that provided the answer. This feature is a fantastic way to get your content in front of more people, even if you are not ranking number one.
Think of it as Google helping searchers find even more great information. For me, it is a huge opportunity because it lets my content appear multiple times on the search results page. I see it as a way to answer a user’s question directly, which builds trust and brings in more clicks.
How to Rank in People Also Ask
Getting your content into the PAA box is not about luck; it is about smart strategy. The key is to answer common questions clearly and directly in your content. I always look for questions related to my main topic and make sure I answer them in a simple, easy-to-read way.
I like to use a question-and-answer format in my articles and blog posts. This makes it easy for Google to find the answer it needs. I also make sure my answers are short, sweet, and to the point. Google loves content that is easy to understand and gives quick value.
People Also Ask on Different CMS Platforms
Using PAA is about your content strategy, but your CMS can help you structure your content well. Let’s look at how I apply this on different platforms.
WordPress
On WordPress, I use plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to help me with PAA. These tools let me structure my content with headings like H2 and H3, which are great for questions. I also use “FAQ schema” with these plugins, which is a special code that tells Google that I am answering a question. It is a powerful way to get my content noticed.
Shopify
For Shopify, I focus on the product pages and blog posts. I add a section to my product descriptions called “Frequently Asked Questions” to answer common questions. This helps me rank in PAA for terms related to my products. For my blog, I write articles that answer questions shoppers might have before they buy something, like “What is the best material for a t-shirt?”.
Wix
Wix makes it easy to add a question-and-answer section to any page. I use the built-in text editor to create headings for my questions and then write the answers right below. The key is to make sure the questions are natural and the answers are clear. Wix’s structure helps me make my content easy for Google to read.
Webflow
Webflow gives me the freedom to design my content layout exactly how I want. I can create a special Q&A section on a page and style it to look great. I use the CMS collections feature to create a list of questions and answers. This helps me organize my content perfectly for Google, making it more likely to rank in PAA.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I can build a system specifically for PAA. I can program the site to show a clear question and then the answer. I can even add the correct technical markup (structured data) directly into the code. This gives me the most control and lets me create a perfect system for targeting PAA questions.
People Also Ask in Various Industries
The questions people ask change a lot depending on the industry. I adapt my strategy to fit the needs of each business.
Ecommerce
For an ecommerce site, I focus on questions related to my products. For example, if I sell coffee beans, I will create content that answers questions like “What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?” or “How do I store coffee beans?”. This helps my site get found by people who are thinking about buying coffee.
Local Businesses
For a local business, I target questions about the local area or services. For a dentist, I might create content that answers “What is the best way to whiten my teeth in [City Name]?” This helps me attract local customers who are searching for my services. It shows that I am an expert in the local area.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
For SaaS, I write content that answers questions about the problems my software solves. I might create an article answering “How do I track my social media analytics?” and then show how my software helps with that. This helps me reach people who are looking for a solution and introduces them to my product as the answer.
Blogs
On a blog, I use PAA to come up with new content ideas. I will look for PAA questions related to my main topics and write a whole article that answers them in detail. This not only helps me rank in PAA, but it also provides a ton of value to my readers and keeps them coming back for more.
FAQ
What is People Also Ask (PAA)?
People Also Ask (PAA) is a Google search feature that shows a box of related questions to the user’s query. When a question is clicked, a brief answer appears along with a link to the source website. It is a great way to gain more visibility in the search results.
How is PAA different from a Featured Snippet?
A Featured Snippet is a single, direct answer that appears at the very top of the search results. PAA is a box of multiple questions that can be expanded. While they both provide quick answers, PAA offers a chance to get your content in front of users for many different related questions.
Can I choose which questions I rank for in PAA?
You cannot directly choose, but you can influence it. I do this by researching common questions related to my topic and writing clear, direct answers to them in my content. This tells Google that my page is a good source for those answers, making it more likely to be featured in PAA.
Does PAA help my website’s SEO?
Yes, absolutely. Ranking in PAA can significantly increase your website’s visibility and organic traffic. It helps you get clicks from users who might not have found your site otherwise. It also shows Google that your site is a good source of information, which can help your overall SEO rankings.
