Search queries used to be composed of one or two simple keywords, with the user doing most of the heavy lifting while browsing on search engine page results (SERP). This has gradually changed into long-tail keywords, as SERPs have evolved to show more relevant content in response to users keying in more advanced search queries. Where it drastically changed, however, was when voice search technology was introduced.
Knowing what makes voice search different will allow you to update your existing best SEO practices and gear it towards regular and voice search results. Identifying patterns when you are using voice search personally can help you understand it better for your business.
Keep the following in mind, and your SEO strategy will be better suited for voice search.
Think out loud to understand conversational phrases
This one might sound a bit silly, but by thinking out loud, you’ll understand the difference between search queries typed on a keyboard versus ones that are said out loud for a search assistant to read. Voice search is programmed to listen to and understand natural speech when it processes queries to pull up search results. For instance, you might key in a search query like “hospital Charleston” on your phone; but if you were to ask Siri, Google, or Alexa, then it might be in the form, “Where is the nearest hospital with diabetes treatment options in Charleston?”
Voice search also takes it one step further by working on understanding contextual queries. These take into account pronouns based on previous queries. For instance, you might follow up with, “How far is it?” and it will understand that you’re referring to that same hospital from the previous query.
Finding a way to optimize your content for voice search takes a lot of self-testing. By asking a string of search queries on your own devices, you develop a pretty good idea of how a user might ask similar queries when searching for your product or service.
Make your site mobile-friendly
Making your site mobile-friendly isn’t just an add-on; these days, it’s a necessity. People are spending more of their time searching using their mobile devices rather than their desktops, so the likelihood that a voice search will come from a phone is very high. By optimizing your site for mobile, it makes your website easier for customers to find using their mobile devices.
Implementing a responsive design is the most important part of making your website mobile-friendly. It uses fluid layouts and conditional CSS queries that will apply different styles based on the phone’s specifications, including screen size.
Be local-friendly
There’s a very high chance that many search queries are going to be localized. In other words, prepare and optimize your content for customers looking for something “near me.” A search query that’s quite common is asking for directions, whether it’s to a restaurant or another business or establishment. Making sure your content includes those search queries and the answers to each will increase the likelihood that someone will drop by your store.
To generate the right local SEO for your content, consider your local neighborhood and what questions they might ask to get to your business.
Conclusion
The best way to grasp voice search is to humanize the process of the search query. Asking devices questions can already be considered a lot more personal rather than typing something down and hitting that ‘Search’ button.
While self-testing can only take you so far, professional SEO services can make sure that you’re ticking the right boxes when it comes to rebuilding your content’s SEO. Voice search is the future of search queries, one that businesses who’ve yet to do so must hear out.
You may be on the lookout for an affordable SEO service to help refine your content for optimal results. Here at Voice SEO PRO, we offer on-site optimization, quality outreach link building, content strategy, and the best voice-focused SEO solutions. Sign up with us and boost your visibility today!
