A SERP is the search engine results page, what Google shows you right after you search.
It stands for Search Engine Results Page. It is no longer just ten blue links: today it mixes ads, featured snippets, AI overviews, images and "people also ask" boxes.
In everyday terms: The page of answers Google hands back. Your job is to own space on it.
What's on it
- Ads. Paid results, usually at the very top and bottom.
- Organic results. The unpaid links you earn through SEO.
- SERP features. Snippets, AI overviews, "people also ask", maps and images.
What it does for you
- Position drives clicks. The top few results take most of the traffic.
- Features push links down. An AI overview can shove organic results below the fold.
- Appearance counts. Your title and description decide whether people click you.
Frequently asked questions
What does SERP stand for?
Search Engine Results Page, the page of results you get back after a search. It now mixes ads, organic links, featured snippets and AI overviews.
Why does my SERP look different from someone else's?
Results are personalised by location, device, search history and language, so two people searching the same term can see different pages.
How do I rank higher on the SERP?
Match the search intent, earn trust through quality content and links, and write a compelling title and description so people actually click your result.