Google and Bing already agree that a big number of queries in their search happen through voice search. The search engines can now process natural language making it possible for users to speak words and syntax in normal conversations with their devices without using specific keywords and get information.
Given that many people utilize mobile devices to access the internet, the number of voice search is expected to rise further. Adweek reports that by 2019 the United States alone will have more than 67 million devices that are voice assisted.
Because of the expected changes, site owners must adjust how they think and implement techniques that can help voice searchers to find content easily. If you are tech savvy, then you might already understand the benefits of voice search in your strategy.
Here are tips you need to embrace and benefit from voice search:
Think About FAQ
How people find information using voice is different from how they do it through text. If you frequent Google search, you might already be aware of this fact. Those who receive phone calls from customers will notice that they use specific keywords in their speech. It is this pattern you should take note of and frame your questions around. Then provide answers to these queries.
After gathering frequently asked questions, you can create an FAQ page. The top queries you should consider are those that people are asking about your company and products. Make sure your answers are concise and accurate. Afterward, you can create an informational page where you can elaborately answer individual questions.
The Content Needs to be Mobile-Friendly
Primarily people do voice search on mobile devices. This trend means you need to ensure all your content is mobile-friendly. Make an effort by using testing tools to confirm if the website meets mobile-friendly standards. Through the tests, tweak where necessary to optimize your content for mobile use.
In situations where you are not using tools, consider the following basis tactics to improve the page layout in mobile devices.
- Leave a lot of white space
- Be brief
- Use optimized images
- Short paragraphs
Drop the Pushy Marketing Language
It is natural for a marketer to want to sell their products. However, in voice search, you will need to drop your pushy messages. Instead, focus on presenting value by putting yourself in the shoe of the customer. When you meet the needs of the consumer, your content will optimize the content for search organically. Remember customers do not speak to their appliances to look for marketing language. Provide them services first.
Simplicity Conquers
Keep-it-simple is a language you must master if you want to reach many people – whether through text or talk. Unless they are looking for the definition of a word, no one will use complex terms or phrases during a voice search. Avoid the jargon. Take advantage of every simple statement instead of intricate words to carry the point home.
Give Value All the Time
Strong voice search use will maximize on value delivery and be entertaining as well. Embracing these two will make your brand stand out from the rest. So it is not just about creating content to appear during voice search, but also ensuring that what you are providing is truly helpful to your audience. Again, this value needs to be unique to be successful in your field.
Optimize for Local SEO
Research indicates that voice search is three times likely to be local. In response to this, companies should ensure their profile information is up to date because search engines will consider questions like, “where can I find a dentist in Miami?”
If you are a dentist in the location of the searcher, this would require you to have precise locations on your profile, opening hours, and have optimized content. Keywords like “dentist in Miami”, “best dentist” or more specific words like “root canal in Miami” can help clients to find your business quickly.
Try and get questions your prospective audience might use and provide particular answers to them.
Be Conscious of Context
While people are shifting towards voice search, there are topics they would rather search while alone rather than in public. Queries entailing words such as “near me” or “nearby” often come from people who are in public and find texting to be inconvenient. So you will need to create topics that are fine to say out loud in public around such keywords.
Be Conversational
With online voice search, audiences always ask questions. So, create your questions and content around like when who, how, what among others. The answers must be conversational in nature. Don’t let your responses stop the conversation. Keep it going by providing the closest possible query they might ask.
Follow Accessibility Guidelines Seriously
Your audience will need various channels to access information on your site. There are accessibility standards set by search engines like Google that you can use. Accessibility guidelines will require you to make your content easy for the bots to index to make it possible for your potential visitors to find you and read your content.
Target Featured Snippets
Asking Google a question through text sometimes avails the answer directly on the search page. When you target featured snippets and ask the same question through voice search, Google will recognize your website in the answer they give on this page.
To feature in the snippets, use analytics to get keywords, look into the “also asked questions”, and use the most common keywords such as best, price, recipe and the rest to create your content.
You should know that voice search will continuously grow as long as people acquire mobile devices. If you intend to take advantage of the rising numbers, you ought to optimize your website, particularly for mobile. The secret is to ensure you remain competitive and relevant according to the rapid shifts in technology.
There’s no better time to incorporate voice search into your content marketing strategy than RIGHT NOW!
