SERP Icons & API Search Results Indicators Explained

Google has added the Intended results feature for the case when more than one related result with the same domain appears on the search page then Google lists as nested results. Just for clarification, the Indented results is not the same as Sitelinks even though it looks similar. There can be up to three indented results per domain following the first search result. Those domains that score with the indented results now take up more visual space than before. The SERP Feature icon for the Indented results is presented as . In the Google search results, the feature looks as follows:

Google is rich with Featured Snippets, for example, when you ask Google a question, sometimes you'll find a Knowledge Graph above the organic search results. Google's Featured Snippets extract the text directly from the web page that Google determines best answers the query, as opposed to the meta description text that displays in organic results.

The Structured Snippets feature may appear in your search results when the sites showing have upcoming happenings (i.e. events), or have been structured to show product and/or service descriptions, etc. The Structured Snippets feature will indicate information such as the date of upcoming events, features included in a service, product specifications, etc.  In the case of a listed event, the feature may show along with a link to bring you to the event's webpage on the site. When the Structured Snippets feature does appear, it can be seen under the description displayed with each result. 

If you have switched your site to HTTPS recently, you will know by viewing the Dashboard report whether or not Google is serving that version of your site.



HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an internet communication protocol that protects the integrity and confidentiality of your users' data between the user's computer and the site. Data sent using HTTPS is secured via Transport Layer Security protocol (TLS), which provides three key layers of protection including encryption, data integrity, and authentication.

When Google serves an image thumbnail in their organic search results for a URL and keyword tracked in your campaign, an Image icon  displays in the Dashboard report for that keyword.

If you choose to include Local results with Organic search results (refer to Local Pack Results Settings) and your primary domain ranks for one of your tracked keywords in the local pack results, then you'll see the Maps icon  display in your Dashboard report.

Google News results appear in a block with links to articles from various news sites. If a search for your keyword results in a link to a URL tracked in your campaign, you'll see a News icon  in your Dashboard report.


 

In an effort to improve users' search experience, Google has added what they refer to as the Notable Online SERP indicator. When Google considers a site to be widely recognized as notable online (and when data is available from Knowledge Graph sources), click the down arrow to the right of a search result URL provides an extra information box about the website and/or the company or organization that owns the site.  

Google supports the markup of ratings and reviews for businesses, products, books, movies, etc., and displays rich snippets including rating stars and summary information in the results they display.


 

Helpful search boxes sometimes display in the SERPs when Google thinks the searcher is interested in searching deeper into results.


 

In an effort to help users find what they're searching for more quickly, Google occasionally provides Sitelinks for directories and/or specific pages within a site's structure.

When Google serves a video thumbnail in their organic search results for a URL and keyword tracked in your campaign, a Video icon  displays in the Dashboard report for that keyword.