June 4, 2025

Advertising Agency, SEO

The Rise of Zero-Click Searches and What It Means for Businesses

Imagine Googling for something and having the answer appear before you finish typing. No need to go to a website, scroll through blog posts, or hunt for a separate tab. The information is readily available on the search page. Convenient? Yes. However, this transition is especially difficult for companies that do not pay for traffic.

We are entering the era of zero-click searches, which are quietly revolutionising the way people utilise search engines. Users are no longer clicking through to a website because they can find what you offer directly on Google, thanks to snippets, knowledge panels, and local listings. More than 50% of searches now end without a click, according to the data company SEMrush.

This data is hugely important for brands. It’s not just about getting onto the first page of Google anymore; it’s about owning space on that page in a way that doesn’t diminish the user experience. The good news? However, those who know how to readjust their search engine optimisation (SEO) approach to match this shift in search behaviour can be resilient and, in some cases, even prosperous.

What Are Zero-Click Searches?

A zero-click search occurs when a user queries to search for information and does not click on any of the search results that appear. Instead, Google provides the answer directly on the results page through various SERP features.

For example, featured snippets extract short-form content from top-ranking webpages and insert those snippets above organic search results. Knowledge panels are the summaries, bios, or company info boxes on the right-hand side of the page. The local map packs display nearby businesses, shaded by type, with contact information and reviews. Google also provides quick answers to questions, such as currency conversions, weather forecasts, definitions, and sports scores.

In all these instances, the user receives search results without ever leaving a website, a “zero-click” interaction, in other words.

What’s Behind the Trend in Zero-Click Searches?

Google’s Evolution as an Answer Engine: Google is now more than simply a source of websites. It’s the answer engine—it now provides answers in the search interface. This feature makes for a better user experience and keeps people on Google longer, which suits their advertising model.

Mobile-First Behaviour: In the mobile era, most searches occur on mobile devices. Quick, unambiguous answers are what users want on mobile. There’s also less room for scrolling or tapping between multiple sites when the result they’re looking for is already shown.

Voice Search Adoption: Assistant devices like Google Home, Alexa, and Siri encourage conversational enquiries. These coherently produce a single answer in words that may come from a featured snippet. The user only hears the answer from a single brand, without viewing or clicking on any web page.

Rich SERP Features: Google continues to add more interactive elements, including image carousels, “People Also Ask” boxes, product listings, and hotel or flight comparison columns. This information typically gives them the value they need to complete the query, and they never have to leave the SERP.

Google’s Evolution as an Answer Engine

Visibility Without the Click: Zero-click doesn’t equal loss for your business. Even when no one clicks, landing your content in a snippet or local listing is a massive win for brand visibility and authority. When users find your business ranked as the number one response, you gain credibility, whether or not they click to visit your site immediately.
The Case for Content Strategy with Precision: Now, content needs to be optimised for SERP features. This procedure involves writing straightforward, structured answers to common questions and formatting content to make it easy for Google to extract and display. The clearer your headers, the more easily Google can locate them. Additionally, bulleted or numbered lists, as well as FAQ pages, can all help you get selected for a snippet.
The Rise of Local SEO: If your business targets consumers in a specific location, you must focus on local SEO. Besides Google Business Profile optimisation and ensuring accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) details, good reviews, and high-quality images allow you to appear in zero-click map packs and local results.
An Evolution in Performance Metrics: Classic metrics and SEO strategies, such as the click-through rate and organic traffic, may no longer provide a complete picture. Businesses should start tracking newer indicators such as impression share, featured snippet ownership, and Google SERP presence. These reflect brand visibility and influence in the zero-click landscape.

How to Succeed in a Zero-Click Search World

1. Intentional Content That Targets Featured Snippets

Organise your content by answering common users’ questions. Use headings such as “What is…”, “How to…”, or “Benefits of…”, and keep your answers specific, under 50 words, and to the point if you can. Google favours and rewards content that enables you to easily extract and display quick information.

2. Leverage Schema Markup and Structured Data

While we are on the topic, it’s also a good idea to use schema markup and structured data. A schema with this combination can be more beneficial for search engines to interpret your content. It improves your odds of appearing in rich results, like FAQ blocks, reviews, recipes, or event lists. By implementing structured data, you can improve how your page displays on SERPs (even when users don’t click).

3. Optimise Google Business Profile

Ensure your profile is complete with up-to-date information. You can add your services there, attractive images, and respond to the reviews. Many of these zero-click searches are local, which means a well-optimised profile can place your business directly in front of these users without requiring them to click through to your website.

4. Own Your Brand SERP

It’s your business; when people look up your name, you should control what others see. This might be your website, social media accounts, review profiles, or any press or listings. Keep your content fresh and represent your brand in the best light.

5. Measure Exposure Outside the Traffic

Leverage SEO tools such as Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to find the keywords triggering snippets or other SERP features where your site pops up. Check impressions on Google Search Console and monitor the volume of branded searches over time. These metrics allow you to compare the impact, even when you aren’t driving direct traffic.

6. Adapt or Be Invisible

Zero-click searches are not the end of SEO; rather, they represent the next phase of its development. Now, the objective is not solely to drive clicks to your site but to establish yourself as the authoritative source in your industry. When you do this, you can get your business to be the top answer for your category—even if the user never clicks through to your site!

Get the Best SEO Service in Singapore With Adverdize

The brands that win are those that are “in touch” with the new game’s rules and play accordingly. When you are looking for the best way to improve your company’s online presence, work with Adverdize, a leading SEO agency in Singapore.

Adverdize isn’t just a business opportunity for SEO in Singapore – we are your strategic business partner. For over a decade, we have been home to the world’s most talented SEOs and online marketers on the planet.

Expert Team with a Holistic Approach: Our experts do more than just optimise keywords. We complement SEO with SEM, social media, and content strategy to produce campaigns that drive actual growth. Each of these components complements the others in the goal of increasing traffic and ROI.

Proven Success Across Industries: Adverdize has helped 100+ businesses scale, with some achieving 160% revenue growth. From startups to established brands, our results are self-evident, backed by glowing testimonials.

Tailored Packages and Clear Pricing: We understand that every business is unique. That’s why your marketing plan should be personalised and, more importantly, priced transparently with no hidden fees or unexpected charges, just strategies that work for your goals and budget.

Powered by Creativity and Innovation: Our young and innovative team enjoys new ideas and learning from one another. This mindset helps us stay ahead of SEO trends, so your brand stays ahead of the competition.

Let’s Help Grow Your Company Together

Work with Adverdize, and you receive more than just rankings; you get results. As your SEO consultant in Singapore, we’re here to ensure that growth sticks. Start by contacting us today.

Adverdize SEO

Jetson Lam is an SEO Specialist with a keen interest in online marketing, who is fascinated by analytics, metrics, SEO best practices, and conversions. He founded Adverdize, which is a high-performance SEO Marketing agency based in Singapore.

About Us

Marketing agency focusing on long-term organic growth, supercharging your sales.

Based in Singapore, working with clients worldwide.