In most search queries that we make on Google, there is a section known as the "People Also Ask" (PAA) box that often appears on search engine results pages (SERPs). This is a series of questions that Google has pulled from its Knowledge Graph, which are designed to give you more information on the topic you're searching for. While you may not have given much thought to this section, it's actually incredibly powerful in providing a lot of information on a given topic.
In this blog post, we're going to take a look at the People Also Ask section for Google brands. We'll discuss what this section is, how it works, and some of the benefits that it can offer.
What is the People Also Ask Section?
The People Also Ask section is a box filled with a series of questions that Google has pulled from its Knowledge Graph. This section appears in the SERPs for certain queries, and it provides you with information on the topic you're searching for. The questions that appear in the PAA boxes are what Google considers to be the most relevant and helpful to the user, so it includes a brief information, also known as featured snippets for each one.
How Does the PAA Section Work?
The PAA section works by pulling questions from the Knowledge Graphs. The Knowledge Graph is a database of information that Google has compiled about a variety of topics. This database is constantly updated, and it includes information on billions of things.
The way that Google pulls the PAA section from the Knowledge Graph is based on a number of factors, including how relevant they are to the topic you're searching for, how frequently they're asked, and how closely they're related to the topic. Google also factors in the user's location and search history when determining which questions to show in the PAA section.
Interesting Things to Know About PAA Boxes
Now that we know a bit more about the People Also Ask section, let's take a look at some of the things that you may not know about it.
PAA boxes can appear in different SERP positions
The PAA section can appear in different positions on the SERPs, depending on the user's search query. For example, it may be featured at the top of the page, or it may be featured down at the bottom. There's no set position for the PAA section, so it can vary depending on the search.
PAA boxes may not always show up
Not all queries will feature a PAA box. Google decides which queries to show the PAA section for, and it varies depending on several factors. If you don't see a PAA box for a particular query, it's because Google doesn't think it's relevant to show one.
PAA boxes are not ads
Some people mistakenly believe that the PAA section is an ad, but this is not the case. The PAA box is simply a collection of questions that Google has pulled from its Knowledge Graph. It's different from the ads that appear in the SERPs, and it's not something that you have to pay for.
PAA boxes are not limited to Google-branded queries
While the PAA section is often seen with Google-branded queries, it's not limited to them. The PAA section can show up for any type of query, as long as Google thinks it's relevant. It's just that the PAA section is more likely to show up for branded queries.
PAA answer formats vary
The answer formats for the PAA section can vary, depending on the query. For some queries, you'll see a list of questions with brief snippets of information for each one. For other queries, you may see a table or a graph, while some may show videos or images. The answer format will vary depending on the type of query and the information that Google has available.
PAA Questions May Be Infinite
More questions load whenever you try to scroll down in the PAA box. This is because Google only shows a certain number of questions in the answer box at one time, and it will load more as you scroll down. This means that there can be an infinite number of questions that could potentially show up in the PAA section.
What are the Benefits of the PAA Section?
There are a number of benefits that you can reap from using the PAA section. Some of these include:
Improved understanding of a topic
The PAA section can help you to better understand a topic by providing you with a variety of questions related to it. This can be helpful if you're looking for more information on a subject, or if you're trying to learn more about it. If you're looking for a comprehensive understanding of a topic, the PAA section can be a great place to start.
Quicker access to information
The PAA section can also help you to access information more quickly. This is because it provides you with a variety of questions that are related to the topic you're searching for right at the SERPs. By clicking on any of the questions in the PAA section, you can be taken directly to the answer on Google. This can save you time by eliminating the need to search through multiple pages of search results.
Improved navigation
The PAA section can also help to improve your navigation on Google. By providing you with a variety of related questions, it can help you to better understand the topic you're searching for and to find the information you need more easily. This can be especially helpful if you're looking for complex or detailed information on a subject.
Increased traffic from Google
The PAA section can also help to increase your traffic from Google. By appearing in the SERPs for certain queries, you can attract more visitors to your website. This can be a great way to boost your traffic and increase your exposure online.
As you can see, the People Also Ask section is a powerful tool that can offer a variety of benefits to users. By understanding how it works and what it can do for you, you can make the most of it and improve your Google search results.
How to Get Ranked in the PAA Boxes
Now that you understand what the People Also Ask section is and some of the benefits that it can offer, you may be wondering how you can get your website ranked in these boxes. There are a number of things that you can do to improve your chances of ranking in the PAA boxes, including:
1. Extract PAA listings
If you're not already doing so, you should extract PAA listings from your SERP analysis. This will help you to understand which of your web pages are ranking in the PAA section and which ones you need to work on improving. There are several ways to 'scrape' PAA listings, including using the SERPWoo Chrome extension or using the Google Sheets add-on, PAA Hunter.
2. Optimize your content for question keywords
Once you already have a list of PAA questions, you'll need to start optimizing your content for question keywords. These are the keywords that are related to the questions in the PAA section. By targeting these keywords, you can improve your chances of ranking for the relevant questions. You can use Google's Keyword Planner tool to do keyword research and find related keywords that you can use in your content.
3. Publish FAQs on Your Content
Frequently asked question (FAQ) pages can be a great way to target the question keywords that are related to the PAA section. By publishing FAQs on your web page, you can provide answers to the questions that people are most likely to ask. This can help to improve your chances of ranking in the PAA boxes for those questions.
4. Test Schema.org Markup
You may also want to consider adding schema.org markup to your site in order to improve your chances of ranking in the PAA boxes. This type of markup can help Google to better understand the content on your website and to display it more prominently in the SERPs. You can use the Google Structured Data Testing Tool to check if your website is using the correct markup.