Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google handle over 1 billion voice searches per month. Questions have evolved from basic inquiries like “What’s the weather?” to more specific requests like “Order me more…” or “Vegan restaurants near me.” Businesses that fail to include voice search optimization in their marketing strategies risk falling behind their competitors—especially local businesses, where more than 55% of people search for nearby businesses using voice commands.
Just Tell Me What You Want: Voice Search Optimization
Voice search optimization is when you optimize your website content to rank higher in search engine results when users ask it questions through voice commands. This includes using conversational language, long-tail keywords, and providing direct answers to common questions. The hands-free convenience, speed, and accuracy of voice search explain why 41% of adults in the United States use it daily.
Overall, voice search optimization is becoming crucial to digital marketing and customer engagement strategies as more consumers turn to voice-controlled devices for information, entertainment, and shopping. Businesses that adapt to these trends and incorporate voice optimization into their marketing efforts are likely to stay ahead of the curve and maximize the benefits. Here are some ways that business owners can and should be using voice search optimization in their marketing strategies:
Create Conversational Content
When optimizing content for voice search, remember that people are more likely to use natural language when speaking to voice assistants. Therefore, Your business should create conversational content that reflects how people talk in real life.
Incorporate Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more detailed, conversational, and less competitive than shorter, more generic ones. For example, a short-tail keyword like “pizza place” is much less specific than a long-tail keyword like ” gluten-free pizza place near me.” By including long-tail keywords in their content, business owners can increase their chances of ranking higher in voice search results.
Optimize for Local Search
Many voice searches are for local businesses or services, so you need to optimize your online listings for local search. This includes ensuring your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across all online platforms and directories. Also, include relevant keywords specific to the nature of your business and the local area.
Focus on Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are short answers that appear at the top of search engine results pages. By optimizing your content for featured snippets, you can increase your chances of being the first result read out by voice assistants. So, if someone asks Alexa a specific question, your business is read back as the answer.
Invest in Voice Search Ads
As business owners, you should also consider investing in voice search ads to reach a wider audience and drive more website traffic. These ads can appear on voice search results pages and can help businesses stand out from their competitors.
Don’t Miss Out on This Next Wave of Marketing Opportunities
Voice search optimization has become a critical component of a successful marketing strategy. By implementing strategies around this new technology and method of communication, business owners can ensure that their content is tailored to reach their target audience and increase their visibility in voice search results.
