Voice search is an emerging trend digital marketers must pay attention to. Optimizing content for voice searches will increase visibility and reach for your brand.
Voice searches often involve question-based and dialogue-style queries, so create content that includes relevant query keywords while reflecting how people in your industry speak.
Implementing local SEO tactics such as updating and complete Google My Business listings are essential to voice search optimization, while schema markup may increase the chance of becoming a featured snippet.
Optimize for Local
Since voice search users typically utilize local searches, optimizing for this category should be top of mind when optimizing for this form of SEO. Similar to text-based SEO techniques, keywords are essential when optimizing for voice searches; however, in this instance they tend to be longer and more conversational in nature.
Use question-based keyword research tools like Soovle or AnswerThePublic to quickly identify the most frequently asked questions related to your seed keyword. Furthermore, optimize your website for voice search by taking advantage of FAQ schema markup and keeping this information current.
As voice searches can often be used to collect local business information, it’s vital that your website contains up-to-date and comprehensive content like office hours, directions and contact details. Utilizing Siteimprove’s digital quality assurance tools such as Find/Fix is essential to the success of voice search as this can increase the chance of you appearing as a featured snippet on Search – typically read aloud by users and increasing clicks/conversions dramatically.
Provide Comprehensive Answers
Users conducting searches with voice search tend to be more specific in their queries. They could be searching for price ranges or checking availability of an item they see advertised – this distinction should be kept in mind when creating voice search strategies that target keywords and content for targeting.
Your digital marketing strategies must include a strategy for optimizing your website for these queries and questions. For instance, creating content around frequently searched terms as headers can help to boost rankings while schema markup provides search engines with a deeper understanding of your data.
Voice search optimization requires that your business information is up-to-date and accurate, using tools like Siteimprove Quality Assurance to detect and correct common mistakes like outdated company names or incorrect contact details. This can help boost rankings while providing as comprehensive an experience for voice searches as possible.
Optimize for Mobile
Searching by voice is often faster and more convenient for users; users often hear results read back to them as an added convenience. Therefore, optimizing web pages for mobile is critical and ensure that the most frequently searched for items (e.g. locations, hours and contact details) are clearly displayed on them.
Think about how your target audience might formulate vocal queries, and be sure to include longer phrases and more conversational language. Incorporating schema markup for elements like publication dates or star ratings could also make your content stand out in search results.
Conduct competitor research of their voice SEO using similar techniques as with organic search. This will enable you to identify where improvements can be made within your own strategy, and ensure you appear for search queries relevant to the audience you serve. Voice search presents new digital marketing challenges for businesses; but by taking time and using proven strategies it could bring in more customers and revenue.
Consider Virtual Assistant Integration
Voice search has quickly grown in popularity among consumers, and more consumers are opting for digital assistants like Siri or Alexa when accessing the internet. This can be particularly helpful for older individuals or those with accessibility requirements as these virtual assistants allow them to quickly search information, issue commands or make purchases online without needing a keyboard.
Due to this, brands should incorporate virtual assistant integration as part of their voice search optimization strategy, in order to not only boost SEO but also provide a superior user experience for everyone involved.
With 58% of voice search users looking for local businesses, it’s vital that your listings remain up-to-date and accurate. Semrush’s Listing Management tool can help ensure this happens by tracking business listings such as Google My Business profiles and Yelp reviews in one convenient place – this way search engines have access to an accurate answer and you rank higher for searches with “near me” queries.
