How Voice Search SEO Works in 2023?
Voice search SEO is an aspect of search engine optimization that basically focuses on optimizing content to appear in only voice search results. There has been a recent shift to include voice search SEO to almost all digital advertising campaigns. Studying the stats proves that over 55% consumers resort to voice search rather than typing. The dependency on virtual assistants like Siri, Google assistant, Alexa and Cortana has added to the popularity of voice search SEO.
BEST PRACTICES FOR VOICE SEARCH SEO
The cut throat competition in voice search SEO leaves no room for newbies. Since the devices that allow voice search cater to only the top three results for a given query advertisers have to come up with compelling content targeting their niche audience to capture interest and convert it to sale. The basic techniques to help with an effective voice search SEO that seamlessly blends with the existing SEO without over powering it are listed below.
1. Conversational Content
The first and foremost difference between typed queries versus a voice search is the way the query is asked. Typing a query is far different than asking one. When a user asks a query through voice search the manner is conversational which makes it almost personal. So the answer should be in the same conversational tone as well.
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2. Long-Tail Keywords
Long tail keywords and conversational phrases should be your go to if you’re looking to maximize the impact of your voice search SEO strategies. Short tail keywords become less relevant in terms of phrases used in voice searches since they are more casual. But focusing only on keywords is redundant since the context is extremely important too. Unlike typing that requires more research and is more time consuming voice searches not only help to save time but are also able to find quick solutions. Verbal queries are no doubt more directional than written ones which is why they yield better and concise results. So the first step is thinking about all the related questions that can be possibly asked regarding services and products being offered and then coming up with content that helps answer those in a friendly yet compelling manner that engages the mind of the user.
3. Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are the short pieces of content that are displayed at the top of the results page above the organic search results. Ending up on the featured snippets is ideal for an organic traffic boost but is extremely hard as well considering the competitive nature of SEO.
Almost 40.7% voice search results are shared from featured snippets.
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4. Schema Markup
Schema markup is a means of getting structured data through the use of a code that is added to the website’s HTML which helps in making your content available to different search engines. Its sole purpose is to make the content visible in search engine result pages (SERPS). It helps in sharing key information about a business which helps in driving traffic to the website.
5. Mobile Optimization
Most of the users who use voice search are on the go and do it through their mobile phones or other mobile devices which means that your content needs to be mobile friendly to reach them. 20% of all mobile queries are made through voice search. It is crucial for advertisers to have a website that is well optimized for mobile phones. In addition to that short loading time also helps in getting it shown in the top results. The focus should be on improving page speed along with load time. Ever since page speed became a ranking factor for mobile searches it has highlighted the consideration for the experience of the user. So, the success of voice search SEO depends on the experience of the user which is more often than not coming from a mobile device which is why this particular area should be targeted first for a better and high SEO ranking.
6. FAQ Pages
People often tend to ask questions when making voice searches which is why FAQs are a powerful tool for creating answers that provide information to the verbal queries asked through voice search platforms. Most of the times the search results show answers that lead to FAQ pages because of their conversational manner of asking questions and then providing to the point answers to multiple queries related to a single theme. It also increases chances of the website content being added to featured snippets tremendously. Creating content that directly addresses common frequently asked questions can help generate leads. The essence of voice search SEO relies on questions and answers.
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7. Local SEO
Local businesses thrive on the brand awareness and visibility they get from SEO especially when it’s related to verbal queries. Local SEO helps businesses in the vicinity show up in your voice search results as nearby businesses. The best and fastest most efficient way to do this is to have a Google business profile up and running. It not only shows your business in the results but also provides relevant information to the user that is needed to convert them into a potential buyer. Thus local SEO remains a fundamental part of digital marketing.
8. Rank Videos in Search Results
Videos provide better answers and solutions to voice search than a simple and plain old text does. Videos are surely to gain more engagement almost five times more than other forms of digital marketing. A clickable thumbnail along with conversational and long tail keyword phrases in the title of the video are bound to get you a lead. Sometimes the text from the videos is also shown as a result to a query if the video does not pop up which means the content has to be relevant to the business.
Voice search SEO isn’t only a matter of how we search but also when and why we search. Uncovering the answers to these questions reveals the truth about tapping into the hidden potential of your advertising campaigns. Optimizing content for voice search can be tricky because it involves finding the right questions for all the available answers. So picking a topic after carefully selecting keywords, structuring answers and then creating long form content for voice search SEO will surely be able to capture the interest of a host of users if you play your cards right. Voice optimization isn’t separate from the regular SEO strategy but they go hand in hand to raise brand awareness and visibility in a competitive business community.
If you need assistance of a full-service digital marketing agency, feel free to reach out to Syncfour. We will create an all-around SEO marketing plan to boost your website visibility and traffic.
