With around 40 percent of adults using voice search once daily, it’s no surprise that online marketers have touted SEO voice searches as the next big thing. So while technologies such as Siri, Alexa, and other voice-activated platforms have made this possible, how can you guarantee your site will be the first to pop up once a netizen asks, “Hey, Alex/Siri/some other online assistant”?
The following tips should help:
Factor Online Accessibility
SEO voice search is a feature that allows users to speak their search queries instead of typing them into a search bar. This is especially useful for users with disabilities who may have difficulty typing. Optimizing your digital assets for voice search can make your site more accessible and inclusive for all users.
This type of online searching is also becoming more important to consumers who care about spending their money with ethical, progressive organizations. As a result, optimizing for voice search can help your organization comply with US accessibility legislation, like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Making your content accessible is important not just for people with disabilities but for everyone. Accessible content is easy to read, user-friendly, and search engine-friendly. Applying accessibility best practices makes it easier for devices like screen readers and smart speakers to access and read your content. This includes having a clear site and page structure, providing transcripts and captions for audio and video content, and writing copy that is easy to read.
Improve Loading Speed
Page speed is an important factor in voice search SEO. This is because fast websites are more likely to be picked for voice search results. Tools like Siteimprove Performance can help you speed up your website by identifying and resolving issues slowing down your page load times. When your website loads faster—even with voice searches—this can give you a competitive advantage over your slower competitors.
Include a Schema Markup
Schema is a way of labeling your website’s content so that search engines can understand it better. This can help improve your visibility in search results, especially for features like rich snippets and featured snippets.
For example, by including a publication date or star rating in your schema markup, you can make your voice search results more clickable and improve your chances of increasing search engine rankings.
Reformat Your Content Language
SEO voice search is a lot different than regular text-based searches. With voice search, users usually ask specific questions and look for longer, more detailed answers. This is why targeting long-tail keywords are one of the best strategies for this online search.
To optimize content, think about how people would naturally speak when asking for the needed information. This is why longer keywords and phrases are more likely to be used in conversation, making up 70 percent of all online queries. Voice search usually includes more detailed and conversational language, so ensure your web page copy reflects this. A good rule is ensuring your content sounds natural when read aloud. Avoid using robotic-sounding phrases and words.
Conclusion
While SEO voice search is just an emerging industry, it’s a sleeping giant that businesses and marketers can’t ignore. Once it awakens, those left behind will play a losing game of catch-up, optimizing their websites, while those who went ahead are already reaping the benefits.
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