Voice search — searching the internet using speech — is the future of how users search for products and services. Not only is voice search more accessible and increasingly efficient for people on the go that need quick results, but it’s also a necessity for many living with disabilities.
With the popularity and success of Siri, Alexa, and Google Home, it’s no wonder that businesses and organizations of all kinds have taken notice and are working to optimize their websites for voice search to remain relevant and keep up with SEO best practices.
Whether you’re trying to boost e-commerce sales or a small business wanting to step up its SEO game — we have some great tips to help you get started with on-site voice search optimization today!
1. Use a Conversational Tone and Clear, Simple Language
Voice search users often talk in a conversational tone, similar to how you would ask a question in person. Since queries take on a more casual style usually adopted when speaking, searchers are more likely to use long-tail keywords when searching using voice search.
Think about how you type a query into Google versus how you would ask a question to a friend. It’s essential to consider common speech patterns and even idioms or slang that may vary depending on location, industry, etc.
2. Create FAQ Content for Your Audience
Find out what kinds of things your audience wants answers to and then become a reliable source of information for them to turn to to get these answers.
You can use SEO tools such as Moz or Ahrefs to search for keywords related to your industry, see the search volume of each long-tail keyword and get an idea of what questions your audience has.
Creating a Frequently Asked Question section on your website is an excellent way to give a rundown of the most asked questions, provide answers, and have them easily accessible to the public.
3. Implement Schema Markup
Using schema markup, also known as structured data, may give you an edge over your competitors regarding voice search.
Although there is no evidence that this metadata map directly impacts organic search rankings, rich snippets make webpages appear more prominently in SERPs, improving visibility and thus leading to improved click-through rates (CTR). Implementing schema helps search engines find and classify your content, making your website more visible or discoverable.
4. Optimize for Local Search
As of 2019, nearly 60% of consumers indicated using voice search to find information about a local business — a figure that has likely only increased in the last three years.
Local SEO follows the same best practices as traditional SEO. According to Codedesign, “In terms of voice search optimization, local SEO is crucial because if you perform a ‘Near Me’ voice search regarding any business, voice search devices like Siri, Alexa, etc., would read out the names of the listing chronologically.”
Relatedly, ensure you’re optimizing for regional variations of a search. People may use different words for different items based on where they live. For example, a user might use the long-tail key phrase “nearest cannabis dispensary ” when searching while another searcher from a different state uses the key term “closest weed store” when performing the same functional query.
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