The way we use technology is constantly changing as it grows and develops. For example, there’s a rising trend of hands-free and automated interactions through smart devices. Voice search is becoming more common, due in part to the improvement of voice assistants, like Google Home and Amazon Echo. What was once a unique feature in some gadgets are now mandatory for almost all next-gen products.
The impact of voice search on SEO
Hitwise reports that over 60% of searches come from mobile devices, making voice search one of the more prominent methods of looking up answers to queries. This marks a shift on how they should prioritize their Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies for business owners. Since voice search doesn’t precisely follow similarly with typed searches, it’s necessary to involve alterations on content if you want to remain visible to online searches.
If you want to optimize for voice search, here are four tips you should follow:
1. Publish scannable content on your digital platforms
Unlike traditional search engine input, one key difference with voice search is that it focuses on detecting small phrases and conversational tones. Since your phone is translating your words verbatim, it’s better to develop content that contains compact and scannable features. Stick to simple sentences and avoid industry jargon. It’s best to maintain short paragraphs and bold headers to prevent your copies from looking long and bulky.
2. Update your Google ‘My Business’ Listing information
People often use voice search while they’re on the go. They tend to utilize their devices’ hands-free features while driving or walking. When these consumers are looking for potential establishments or services, their phone uses either GPS or location keywords to filter out their search results.
Updating your Google My Business listing profile is one way to be more visible to these search queries. It gives a significant boost to your business’s online visibility since it will provide Google critical information about your business. Make sure that your listing contains up-to-date details like your phone number, address, and business hours to increase your pages’ chances of appearing in relevant voice search queries.
3. Double-down on long-tail keywords
Utilizing long-tail keywords is an SEO strategy that works even before voice search. It’s a focus on using short phrases to provide better specificity in matching user search queries. It could be challenging for you to go beyond building your conventional keyword lists at first. This is why it’s necessary to get your customers’ input and see how they word their questions about your services.
Avoid using a number or star rating system for your customers when they give feedback. Instead, provide them with the option of leaving short messages for questions and suggestions they may have about your services. Studying these testimonials will assist you in developing your list of long-tail keywords.
4. Set up a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page
Setting up FAQ pages is one way to take advantage of voice search’s preference for conversational tone in writing. FAQ pages can replicate the general questions your potential customer will ask when interacting with their devices. This gives you a better fit as a potential hit on search queries.
Remember to apply long-tail keywords and observe the proper guidelines on making scannable content. The more particular you are about your questions, the more likely voice search processes will index and boost your content on a user’s search.
Conclusion
It’s an amazing improvement to think that voice recognition is going beyond learning simple key phrases to making intuitive guesses for our benefit. As this technology continues to refine itself through AI learning, there will come a time when what we have now will look primitive in contrast to what it will become.
Understandably, many businesses will need to adjust to this new trend in SEO, which is why it’s best to partner with professional digital agencies to improve your marketing strategies. At Local SEO Pro, we help our US clients receive the best SEO to adapt to voice search. Sign up with our service today, and discover flexible marketing subscription packages that will fit your business’s needs!
