Voice search has become increasingly popular, and it’s not difficult to see why. Being able to search for information on-the-go, hands-free, and with immediate results has made it a convenient and efficient alternative to typing. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2022, over 55% of households will own a smart speaker, which means optimizing for voice search is no longer an option – it’s a necessity.
But what exactly does optimizing for voice search entail, and how can you incorporate it into your SEO strategy? Here are a few key elements you should consider:
1. Focus on Long-tail Keywords
When people speak to their voice assistants, they tend to use longer, more conversational sentences rather than short, truncated keywords. As such, focusing on long-tail keywords is crucial when optimizing for voice search. Instead of just targeting “best restaurants,” for example, consider targeting a question like “what are the best restaurants near me?”. This is because voice assistants, like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, provide answers that are conversational and cater to the user’s specific needs.
2. Optimize for Local Searches
Another aspect to consider is optimizing for local searches. People often use voice search for local inquiries, such as “Where is the nearest coffee shop?” or “What are the store hours for Target?”. To optimize for local searches, make sure your business is listed on Google My Business, and ensure that your website contains relevant information such as your location, hours of operation, and contact information.
3. Use Structured Data Markup
Structured data markup refers to a method of organizing the content on your website in a way that is more easily understood by search engines. By incorporating structured data markup, you can help search engines better understand your website’s content, which can lead to better results in voice search queries. For example, you might use markup to specify the name, address, and phone number of your business, which would help voice assistants provide accurate information to users who are looking for a particular establishment.
4. Create High-quality Content
Creating high-quality, informative content that answers questions that your target audience is likely to ask is one of the most important aspects of optimizing for voice search. You should focus on creating content that is relevant, easy to read and understand, and provides value. This not only helps with voice search optimization, but it also increases your chances of generating backlinks, improving your website’s domain authority, and ultimately, ranking higher in search engine results pages.
In conclusion, optimizing for voice search is a key element in any SEO strategy. By focusing on long-tail keywords, optimizing for local searches, using structured data markup, and creating high-quality content, you can ensure that your website is ready for the increasing prevalence of voice search. Doing so will not only help to improve your website’s visibility and traffic, but also enhance the user experience and provide your audience with valuable information that they can use.