Can two people see different SERPs for the same search?

Yes. Search engines may vary results according to location, device, language, search history, and the meaning they assign to the query.

What is a SERP feature?

A SERP feature is a result format that is not a standard organic listing, such as a map result, image panel, video result, or direct answer.

Does a SERP show only Google results?

No. SERP describes the results page produced by any search engine, although SEO discussions often use the term for Google Search results.

Glossary

What Is a Search Engine Results Page (SERP)?

A SERP is a search engine results page displayed after someone submits a query. The page may contain unpaid organic listings, paid advertisements, local results, images, videos, maps, or direct answers. Its layout and content depend on the query, the searcher’s location, the device, and the search engine’s systems.

Quick Facts About SERP

Key Takeaways About SERP

A SERP contains more than standard organic listings.
Search results can change by query, location, device, and context.
A SERP is not the same as a search ranking.

How SERP Works

Two people study a printed Google-style page at a desk, with a chart on a monitor behind them

A SERP is generated when a search engine matches a query with available content and other result types. The page can include organic listings, advertisements, maps, images, videos, and answer features. Search engines arrange these elements according to the query’s meaning, the content available, and signals about relevance.

Related glossary terms: Organic traffic, Local pack, Click-through rate.

SEO teams inspect a SERP to understand what searchers see before changing a page. A query for a nearby dentist may show a Local pack, map results, review information, and organic pages. A broader treatment query may show educational pages, videos, or direct answers. These differences help separate local search work from content and technical work.

A paper mockup shows a search bar with “dentists,” bold “SERP,” and a pen on a desk

Expert Note

When we work on Dental SEO, we check the SERP for the search terms that matter to a dental practice. We look at result types, local visibility, page titles, and competing content. This check helps us align the work with the results searchers actually receive.

SERP in Practice: A Real-World Example

A dental practice targeting emergency dentist searches may appear in organic results, a map result, or both. We would inspect the relevant SERP to see which page features appear and whether the practice’s content matches the searcher’s need.