The Voice Search SEO Guide
Voice search is one of top technological advancements leading our society in the digital revolution.
This technology is shaking up the industry, challenging marketers to think differently in the way we connect and serve content to our audiences.
Devices with Voice Search Technology
Our world is now flourishing with interactive smart devices that allow us to access information and receive answers to our questions, on-demand using voice search technology.
Chances are, you’ve already used voice search with one of the following devices:
- Smart Phones
- Remote Controllers
- Smart TVs
- Smart Watches
- GPS Systems
- Security Devices
- Google Home
- Apple HomePod
- Amazon Alexa Devices
- Other Commercial/Home Devices
The opportunities to utilize voice search are becoming seemingly endless, and are quickly changing the way we live.
As voice search grows in popularity, businesses will soon have no other choice but to adapt their SEO strategy to voice search in order to continue reaching their desired audiences.
Optimizing for Voice Search
From Amazon’s Alexa to Apple’s Siri, industries are adapting to the on-the-go needs of consumers—providing platforms that make it easier for us to multi-task, and receive on-demand results.
And here lies the challenge.
Research has shown that consumers use more informal, long-tailed keywords when using IoT devices to voice search—an implicit difference compared to traditional search methods.
With great anticipation of the predicted drop of organic click-through rates, businesses are being tasked in discovering the best way to market their content so that it may be found not only through the classic internet search, but voice search as well.
The future is in voice search—how will you adjust your SEO strategy to prepare?
Best SEO Techniques for Voice Search
Voice search is quickly integrating within our everyday lives, making information much easier and quicker to access.
Technology has allowed for natural conversation to occur when making a voice search.
To effectively connect with the changing search market, new techniques in SEO must be adapted by considering the following.
Conversational Keywords
When doing keyword research, consider how a person might verbally ask a question rather than in traditional search.
In doing so, you can incorporate these phrases within your content so that it may be found more easily by your target audiences who are using voice search.
Use a tool like Answer the Public — when you input a keyword it then returns various questions and phrases associated with that term.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Leverage your frequently asked questions page, or add one if you haven’t already.
This is your chance to connect directly with your target audience, brainstorming any and all possible questions that they may have when they interact with your business, products, or services.
Mobile Friendly
As voice searches are predominantly made on mobile devices, it is critical your business’ website be mobile friendly.
If your website is not responsive and cannot be accessed properly via mobile devices, Google won’t display your content to answer the questions of searchers.
Not sure if your site is mobile friendly?
Use this handy Google Mobile Test Tool to learn if your site is providing a mobile-friendly experience to visitors, and what avenues you can take to further optimize it.
You’ll want to make sure that your mobile site has quick load speeds to keep the attention of your viewers, as well. To test this, use the Google PageSpeed Insights Tool.
Schema
Schema, also known as structured data or metadata, can help you get a leg up in the online market.
By marking up your content with metadata, you can connect directly with Google so that it can understand your content and learn what is most important about it.
Contact and general business-related information can be marked up with schema so that Google can classify and showcase it quickly, as well as correctly, to your audience.
Featured Snippets
Many voice search results are pulled from featured snippets, or rank #0 (the exact answer to your query that you see above the list of search results).
Featured snippets are pulled from any of the webpages ranked on the first page of the SERP.
Often, information used for featured snippets are taken from sites that include clear bulleted lists, allowing for users to obtain immediate responses to their questions.
This also holds true for voice search queries, as searchers desire the same type of immediacy in responses—especially as many voice searches are made on-the-go.
Incorporating bulleted lists and proposing a clear hierarchy using header tags and image alt text will allow Google, and searchers, to have a higher chance at accessing your content first.
Local Search
Optimizing for the local search market is an essential element in Voice Search SEO.
If haven’t, be sure to claim your Google My Business listing.
Once claimed, accurately fill out your business information so that customers and searchers can find you, especially if they are nearby.
Complete your business introduction section and offer a clear description as to what your business is, what you offer, and what type of market your business falls under.
The category section on Google My Business will help you connect with local searchers, so assigning the correct categories to your company is imperative.
For example, categories for Brave River Solutions could include:
- Web Designer
- Internet Marketing Agency
- Business Consultant
Your categories should express what your business really is, not what you are selling.
Also, if your NAP (name, address, phone number) is not the same across the internet you need to fix that.
It isn’t Google’s responsibility to interpret the accuracy of the contact information you include in your listing — therefore, Google might not showcase your contact info if it doesn't match other resources like the contact information featured on your website.
Blogging
Capitalize on blogging opportunities to connect with voice searchers.
Directly basing your blog posts off questions your target audience is likely asking will show Google that your content is worthy of being showcased for that topic area.
Including these questions within the blog post itself will benefit you greatly, as long as you offer quality content that fully answers the questions and provides value to your audience.
Again, be mindful that the questions your audience will be asking via voice search may not directly coincide with what they would ask if they were typing a query into a search engine.
Include casual, "spoken" language in your blog posts so you can provide content that is universal and inclusive for both voice search and traditional, typed search queries.
Adopting Unique SEO Strategies
With voice search quickly gaining momentum, it's time to start thinking about unique approaches to incorporate within your current SEO strategy. Voice search is still a relatively new territory for marketers, so this can, and will, take time.
However, the Search Engine Optimization Specialists at Brave River Solutions are fully equipped with the proper knowledge and creativity to help your business reach new heights with Voice Search Optimization.
Give our team a call today at 401-828-6611; we are here to help your business succeed.
Additional Resources
How to Skyrocket Your Rankings Overnight by Implementing Schema Markup
