What is a Carousel SERP feature on Google?
A Carousel SERP (Search Engine Results Page) feature is a horizontally scrollable ‘list’, appearing on Google's search results page. It typically displays at the top of the SERP but can also appear further down. Each item in the carousel usually includes an image and caption text, offering users a visually engaging way to explore related content. Additional information can be shown depending on the carousel type, enhancing user interaction and engagement.
Carousels can showcase various types of content, including:
News articles
Images
Videos
Products
Lists (the most common type, showing items like sports team rosters or films)
Local businesses
Recipes
Courses
Current styles
These interactive elements provide a rich, visual experience for users, allowing them to quickly browse through relevant information without leaving the search results page.
Here are some examples of carousels:
Recipe carousel:
Image source: Google Results Page
Course Carousel:
Image source: Google Results Page
Video Carousel:
Image source: Google Results Page
Benefits for organic site visibility
Prime positioning: Carousels often appear at the top of search results, increasing the likelihood of user engagement and putting your brand in front of potential customers.
Visual appeal and high click-through rate (CTR): These visually appealing features stand out from traditional text results, attracting more attention and potentially leading to higher click-through rates and increased organic traffic.
Close to user intent: Google serves rich carousels when the results genuinely answer the query's intent. For instance, when a user searches for recipes, the Recipe Carousel is extremely helpful. Appearing within this result suggests that your site's content is highly relevant.
Enhanced brand exposure: Even if users don't click through on a carousel result, your brand can gain exposure through inclusion in this visual display.
Mobile optimisation: Carousels are particularly effective on mobile devices, where users can easily swipe through options. They also occupy significant real estate on mobile search results, making them valuable for visibility.
Top 5 page optimisation actions for Carousel SERP feature visibility
To improve your chances of appearing in Google's Carousel SERP feature, implement these specific optimisation actions:
1. Implement Structured Data Markup
Structured data is a crucial piece of code that sits on the back end of your page, providing Google with essential information about your page's content. It's becoming increasingly important in SEO and is heavily relied upon by Google's search engine crawlers.
Use schema.org structured data, specifically the ItemList schema, along with one of the following content types supported by Google:
Course
Movie
Recipe
Restaurant
Here is an example of schema:
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ItemList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "How to Groom Your Dog", "description": "A step-by-step guide on grooming your dog at home.", "thumbnailUrl": "https://example.com/images/dog-grooming-thumbnail.jpg", "uploadDate": "2023-07-15T08:00:00+01:00", "duration": "PT15M", "contentUrl": "https://example.com/videos/how-to-groom-your-dog.mp4", "embedUrl": "https://example.com/embed/how-to-groom-your-dog" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Choosing the Right Dog Food", "description": "Expert advice on selecting the best food for your dog's needs.", "thumbnailUrl": "https://example.com/images/dog-food-thumbnail.jpg", "uploadDate": "2023-07-20T10:30:00+01:00", "duration": "PT12M30S", "contentUrl": "https://example.com/videos/choosing-right-dog-food.mp4", "embedUrl": "https://example.com/embed/choosing-right-dog-food" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Basic Dog Training Tips", "description": "Learn essential commands to train your dog effectively.", "thumbnailUrl": "https://example.com/images/dog-training-thumbnail.jpg", "uploadDate": "2023-07-25T14:45:00+01:00", "duration": "PT20M", "contentUrl": "https://example.com/videos/basic-dog-training-tips.mp4", "embedUrl": "https://example.com/embed/basic-dog-training-tips" } } ] } |
2. Optimise Images
Carousels are highly visual, often presenting a featured image. Therefore, you must use high-resolution, relevant graphics that comply with Google's supported formats throughout your content. Ensure each image:
Is at least 1,200 pixels wide
Has a clear, descriptive file name (e.g., "best-action-movies-2024.jpg")
Includes alt text that accurately describes the image content
These practices not only enhance the visual appeal of your content in carousels but also improve accessibility and help search engines understand your images better, potentially boosting your chances of appearing in image-based search results.
3. Create High-Quality, List-Based Content
Develop comprehensive, well-structured content that naturally lends itself to a carousel format. For example:
Use clear, numbered headings for each list item within your written content. If you're working on a video, add timestamps to break up your media content into meaningful chunks.
Provide detailed descriptions for each entry, offering valuable information that users will find helpful and engaging.
Ensure the content is original and adds value to the user experience. Avoid duplicating information from other sources. Instead, offer unique insights or perspectives.
By structuring your content this way, you make it more appealing for Google's carousel feature and improve overall readability and user engagement. This approach helps search engines understand and categorise your content more effectively, potentially increasing your chances of appearing in relevant carousels.
4. Optimise Page Title and Meta Description
Craft a compelling page title and meta description that accurately reflects the content:
Title: Include phrases like "Top 10", "Best of", or "Ultimate Guide" (e.g., "Top 10 Action Movies of 2024: The Ultimate Guide").
Meta Description: Summarise the list content and use action-oriented language to entice users to click through.
Ensure you use keywords naturally throughout your title and description for an optimised and engaging approach. This helps with search engine visibility and increases the likelihood of users clicking on your content when it appears in search results or carousels.
5. Enhance Page Speed and Mobile Responsiveness
We recommend you speak with a developer to ensure your site is fast and offers a seamless experience on all devices. Actions they may take on your site could include:
Compressing images without sacrificing quality
Implementing lazy loading for images
Using responsive design techniques to ensure the page displays correctly on all devices
Minimising CSS and JavaScript files
By implementing these specific optimisation actions, you can significantly improve your page's chances of appearing in Google's Carousel SERP feature, enhancing your organic visibility and user engagement. These technical improvements boost your site's performance in search results and provide a better user experience, which is crucial for maintaining high engagement rates and encouraging return visits.