Why you should stop writing blog posts that Google already answers
If the SERP has a featured snippet and no organic results below it, you’re wasting your time.
I used to target any keyword with search volume. Then I learned to check the SERP first. If Google already answers the query directly in a snippet — and there are no other organic results on the first page — your post will never rank. Users get their answer without clicking.
That’s called a “no-click search.” For queries like “what time is it in Tokyo” or “define SEO,” the snippet is the final destination. Don’t write for those.
What you want are keywords where the snippet exists but is incomplete, or where the top results are thin. Open a few links. If they’re 300-word fluff, you can write something better. If they’re all 2,000-word guides from big brands, pick a different keyword.
A good target has: a snippet you can improve, organic results with low domain authority, and a clear informational intent. Use a tool like Ahrefs or even the free MozBar to check domain ratings. If the top 3 results all have DR under 50, you can compete.
Stop writing for the sake of writing. Publish only when you can genuinely provide a better answer than what’s already there.