More businesses are turning their attention to voice search, and with good reason. People’s aversion to face-to-face interactions leads to a preference for hands-free technology. Over 32% of consumers see this as a mandatory feature rather than a luxury feature to limit contamination, whether they’re in public or personal spaces. Amazon Echo and Google Home are becoming must-have applications in the office or the household. This leads to specific search engine queries that will benefit particular marketing strategies.
Understanding the value of voice search
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a strategy that counts as one of the oldest forms of increasing a website’s quantity of online traffic. Its organic use of unpaid traffic is a long-term investment that considerably benefits small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and even big-name companies. Marketers can optimize SEO in numerous ways, primarily on a user’s interaction with a site or execution of SEO strategies. A crucial factor in these strategies is understanding the medium and technology in use.
Voice search uses an open-domain keyword query through Google Voice Search, Siri, and other apps. Voice search algorithms are more specific as they consider different data points such as location and proximity. For this reason, voice search is most useful for local businesses and on-the-go consumers. It allows people to find nearby solutions with the best potential finds nearby.
Utilizing consumers’ preferences of mobile devices
More people are opting to use mobile devices to handle their personal and business matters. Instead of having a workstation with bulky office equipment, people have the freedom of moving about with a light yet powerful device that has enough processing power for their needs. Slowly but surely, universal mobile network connectivity will become the norm. Because of this, the preference for using mobile devices will open a gateway for voice search and its impact on local SEO.
Mobile devices offer accurate search results for local questions by utilizing XML sitemaps to provide clear directions and local addresses. It’s beneficial for business owners on online directories like Google My Business Accounts to connect with nearby customers.
Adapting to voice search
Adapting to voice search isn’t too different from conventional SEO strategies. However, you must prioritize several crucial elements of your content, such as context and brevity. In contrast to typical SEO strategies, you must offer short and precise answers to general questions. This is why FAQ pages can be beneficial in improving your site’s visibility to voice search.
Start your content with general questions that people will most likely ask about your product or service. Afterward, offer a clear definition that can provide specific information with the right location-specific keywords. For example, the simple use of “near me” searches can work best for consumers looking for brands and services while near your business’s area.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t go full-force in implementing SEO that will cater to mobile users. It’s better to create a separate experience to cover mobile and desktop visitors that will expand your business’s reach. Doing so will make a tailored treatment for voice search without limiting your site’s online presence.
Conclusion
In the US, over 39.4% of consumers engage with voice search for personal or business use at least once per month. This statistic is vital for companies moving forward to 2021. With the growing preferences on voice search, there are more reasons to execute SEO strategies that cater to the new digital landscape for brands and consumers.
Local SEO Pro is a US-based SEO optimization company that can give your brand a competitive edge in today’s digital landscape. Our SEO experts can lead your company toward greater success with tailored marketing strategies! Sign up with our service today, and choose a subscription package that will match your business’s needs!