Adrian Cruce December 21, 2020 Voice search SEO is right now gaining popularity in the industry much faster than local SEO, which is interesting to notice since we can say that voice search optimization is built around local search engine optimization practices.
As COVID-19 hit the world, more and more people turned to the use of voice search, with 32% of consumers now interested in using hands-free technology so that they limit contamination and touching. Basically, voice search is growing fast. More and more people use voice search on their smartphones, and a large portion of US users (39.4%) use some sort of voice assistant for a minimum of one time per month.
To make matters even more interesting, we have access to systems like Echo and Google Home. These will be incorporated in more and more homes as time passes. This practically means that voice search optimization already became vital in the SEO industry.
To help you make better choices and improve rankings for voice searches, SEO specialists recommend the following optimization strategies.
Focus On Customer Type And Device Behavior
Voice search algorithms already use different data points, like location, to properly understand search context. Due to this, marketers have to work hard to understand the behavior of the consumer. Also, the type of device used should be taken into account.
For instance, when you use a smartphone, there is a pretty good possibility you are on the road, going somewhere. In such a situation, you would use different voice search commands, most likely shorter than what you would use on your computer at home, even if you still use voice search.
Focus On The Right Keywords For Voice Search
No matter what anyone tells you, short tail keywords are essential in SEO, and they will always be important. However, when thinking about voice searches, they are not that great. This is because people do not use phrases like “buy shoes” when they use a voice-enabled device. They do not search for “back pain” when they feel pain.
Marketers now have to focus their attention on specific long-tail keywords, the conversational ones and questions.
Focus On Persona-Based Content
When you optimize content for voice search, you need to think about relevance, context, and brevity. If we compare with the SEO strategy we are accustomed to, much more attention has to be put on:
- Concisely and clearly answering questions.
- The creation of detailed answers to the most common questions.
Compelling, rich content is crucial in voice search SEO. This can be done in numerous ways. A straightforward and effective strategy would be to:
- Start your content with a question headline.
- After the headline, you offer a definition or a clear answer.
- The rest of the content elaborates on the topic and offers valuable information related to the question headline.
When you create such content, you build a robust page that is very appealing for search engines and especially voice searches.
Use Schema Markup
If you do not use voice search schema markup, you miss out on a world of opportunities. Schema is essential because it allows you to directly tell the search engine what the content is about.
We are practically talking about an HTML add-on. It was created to offer context, so it is great at helping rank better, all while adding relevancy in specific queries that the user would make with the use of voice search.
Google uses schemas to understand language. This is why they can be a wonderful method you could use to add even more information to the page. Voice searchers and mobile users look for information that is normally presented through schema.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to use schemas if you do not know what you are doing. This is why you should always use the services of a web developer when you need such work done on your site. An experienced one can implement a system that you can then use yourself.
Create FAQ Pages
When you use voice search to ask a question, you normally start it with “how”, “why”, “where”, “who”, or “what”. You look for an answer to something. To answer such queries, it is effortless to create a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. Start every single question you answer with exactly the adverbs used by people. After, conversationally answer them so that you can appeal to algorithms used by voice search.
Take Advantage Of The Mobile-First World
Slowly but surely, we are moving towards a world where mobile devices are common. People become mobile, and they can access the internet from literally anywhere. Because of this, it is vital to understand that local SEO and mobile users are connected. This is particularly true when we talk about voice searches.
The mobile device allows you to easily search for something when you are on-the-go. With voice search, you can ask really targeted local questions. Because of this, XML sitemaps and clear directions to local addresses have to be readable for both search engines and visitors.
We should add that it is an excellent idea to create different experiences so that you can cover both mobile and desktop users. As an example, “near me” searches can be used when you optimize for mobile users.
The mobile strategy that you use needs to be sound, and you have to focus on really low load times. Page speed is a factor that is already really important for search engine rankings.
A World Driven By Voice Search
Right now, it is not a matter of if we will live during times when voice search is much more popular than text search. It is a matter of when, and we are really close to that date.
The technology of the past was not capable of responding to your queries, but now we have Siri that can even make fun of us. Voice search is not going away. It is only becoming stronger and stronger as time passes. This is why we have to optimize for voice searches as soon as possible.
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