Voice search is radically changing the way people find information online. With the rise of voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant on smartphones, smart speakers and other devices, an increasing percentage of searches are being conducted by voice rather than text. This creates both challenges and opportunities for SEO and One Two SEO services can be the best option to understand this.
Why Voice Search is Different for SEO
Voice assistant SEO is fundamentally different from text-based SEO:
- Queries are usually spoken questions – This means query length and format differs from text input. Queries tend to be longer, more conversational and in question format.
- No Screen Real Estate – Voice results are consumed without any visual interface or SERP. This means writing compelling SEO meta descriptions for featured snippets and search is critical.
- More search result items engaged – Since users can’t quickly scan results, assistant algorithms emphasize engagement metrics like click-through rate more in ranking.
- Local intent prioritized – Location context from a user’s device is automatically used. Localized answers are preferred.
These differences mean existing text-focused SEO strategies won’t be fully effective for voice search optimization. Some changes needed are:
SEO Changes Needed for Voice Search
- Optimizing for Long-Tail Questions – Identify and specifically target the longer, more conversational long-tail questions that users are likely to speak. Update related FAQs and web content around these.
- Featured Snippets Optimization – Featured snippets, which summarize the answer in search results, are used extensively in voice responses. The meta descriptions writing should reflect this.
- Action-Oriented Content – Voice search results need to enable actions, like visiting a local store. Content should enable voice assistants to connect users to intended actions.
- Local SEO – Local pages and schema markup help search engines return localized voice search results. Optimizing this can improve rankings.
Top Voice Search Optimization Tips
Here are some key tips for optimizing SEO for voice assistants:
- Analyze Voice Search Queries
Identifying high-value voice search queries to target is the starting point. Some tools that help with query research:
- Google Search Console – Provides data on existing spoken website queries. Humanize these into questions for ideas.
- Ubersuggest – Useful for long-tail question keyword research around topics.
- Answer the Public – Generates lots of spoken question style keyword ideas for content brainstorming.
- Use Featured Snippets Optimization
Ranking well for questions that trigger a featured snippet can allow your business to be prominently visible in voice search results. Tactics include:
- Crafting meta description copy optimized for long-form conversational questions.Adding FAQ markup for qualifying question pages onsite using structured data.
- Implement Action-Oriented Schema
By adding schema markup, your site can rank better for voice queries where users likely want to take action, like:
- Making a purchase
- Booking something
- Getting directions
- Finding business contact info
- Improve Local SEO Relevance
As voice results are localized, improving local relevance signals can prioritize your business. Tactics include:
- Completing and verifying Google My Business listing with consistent NAP.
- Building localized links and citations for area relevance.
- Optimizing onsite city pages for locally searched questions.
- Optimize Content for Long-Tail Questions
Analyze and identify many long-tail question variations that prospects may use related to your products or services. Craft natural sounding answers to these in existing and new website content.
- Make Website Fast & Mobile-Friendly
Slow load times significantly impact voice search crawlability and user experience. Improve site speed and mobile optimization for better engagement metrics that factor into voice ranking.
As voice interactions become a daily part of life for more consumers, voice search optimization will soon be a standard component of effective SEO. Businesses that adapt fastest to its unique requirements will have a definite competitive advantage in the coming years. One Two SEO services can provide expert guidance optimizing your website for voice assistant search success.