Last updated on November 8th, 2022 at 12:05 pm
Voice search is a fast-growing SEO trend that can get your website content on top of Google’s SERPs. This is because people increasingly use smart voice assistants to search the web and get what they need.
A voice-based search’s interpretation of the content is different. These voice assistants often search for condensed snippets of information that summarize the answers to web users’ queries in just a few sentences.
Since voice search is becoming popular, it’s vital to understand how you can optimize your content for voice search.
How Voice Search is Connected to Google’s Algorithm
During the launch of its algorithmic update in 2013, known as the Google Hummingbird, Google started considering the contextual meaning of queries and user intent. That’s when marketers changed their strategies to stop stuffing articles with unnecessary keywords and instead focus on addressing their audience’s pain points.
Voice search depends on Natural Language Processing (NLP) to recognize behavior, interests, and voice texture. The technology aims to improve user experience with semantics.
Characteristics of Voice Search You Should Know
Voice queries are longer, and they contain conversational words. Since voice search engines are powered by artificial intelligence, voice search is smarter than computer search.
On a computer, you find information using short phrases, but on mobile, you converse with a virtual assistant using question phrases that keyword research tools cannot identify. Speech search is longer through the tail.
Most voice queries look for local content since they use their mobile phones on the go. They use ‘near me’ searches, and voice search can provide fast results, making it easy for users to find information.
The audience wants immediate results, and using voice search guarantees them immediate personal assistance.
Strategies to Optimize Your Content for Voice Search
1. Research Your Target Audience
Thoroughly researching your target audience can help you understand their search intent and the phrases, jargon, cadence, and colloquialisms they use while searching for information on the web.
To optimize for voice search, you need to know how people speak about your brand, products, and services. This way, you’ll get an idea of their mindset and channel it to your marketing funnel.
It is easy to interpret user intent based on the question phrases they use in their searches. In most cases, the ‘Who’ and ‘What’ questions imply that the person is researching. But when they use the ‘Where’ questions, it shows that they’re ready to buy from you.
You should also determine if they use colloquialisms and cadence. But in your voice-based SEO content, don’t include buzzwords; instead, use a natural tone that can be recognized on voice search.
Optimization is essential, but quality content will be well-read, shared, and linked, and search algorithms will only favor good content.
Align your content type with the search intent keywords by defining which queries your content answers so you can compel users to read your post. It also helps search engines to identify the pieces of information ideal for voice search.
One vital point to note is that you should not only dwell on written content when optimizing for voice search. Visual content is equally essential since Google uses file names, captions, and alt tags to rank visual content, which is excellent since you can optimize for mobile voice search.
2. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
When optimizing for voice search, long-tail keywords and in-depth content are vital. Voice search considers the user’s search phrases, so you should create content using long-tail keywords that match voice search’s conversational, query-like characteristics.
In your content, consider using subheadings as you provide answers to readers’ questions. Smaller segments of content often give intensive information. A table of contents will be ideal for helping readers navigate to particular sections they are looking for.
The way we talk differs from when we type, and the phrases and keywords used when speaking to digital assistants differ from those used on Google search.
You must focus on long-tail keywords and phrases since they closely match the searcher’s intent more than the broad, one-word keywords.
For example, it is easier to say ‘Where to buy black jeans with sequins’ than typing it out.
3. Optimize for Featured Snippets
Voice assistants and smart speakers use snippets to identify information searchers look for and answer the queries they pose. Featured snippets are short sections of text that often appear first on Google search results. They are essential for voice search SEO since most users click on them instead of browsing search results.
When you optimize your content for the featured snippets, you’re helping Google algorithms, and smart assistants find answers to queries faster. If you do it right, your SEO content will rank highly on search results.
You should optimize featured snippets for voice search with search intent in mind. Your snippets should provide information and answer the ‘who’ and ‘what questions. Don’t forget the ‘how’ questions, which are in bullet lists.
Searchers also have commercial search intent queries and need information in the form of recommendations and reviews. There are also those snippets that help to navigate users around your website, so don’t forget that.
The best way forward is to do keyword research on the type of snippet you are creating. Remember to pay attention to the snippet’s word count, which is not more than 50 words.
Optimizing for featured snippets is a great way to drive traffic to your website. It also boosts organic traffic to save you money on pay-per-click advertisements.
4. Use Natural Language Instead of Business Jargon and Term
Smart assistants and speakers use the Natural Language Processing (NLP) to understand users’ search queries. Your content should match the tone of voice the audience uses during their search to optimize for voice search.
Use a natural/conversational language spoken by the digital assistant and focus on the nature of voice search. NLP looks for concise answers that are clearly defined. Avoid content with excess fragmentation, as voice assistants may fail to pick it up.
Always anticipate the specific questions that users ask conversationally. Optimize your content for specific and intuitive queries, such as a blog with authoritative content, conversational questions, or a detailed FAQ page. Your content should answer audience queries in the most helpful way possible.
By now, you should know that voice searches are more conversational and longer. They use a much simpler language compared to text search. In your content, you should avoid buzzwords and jargon and use a natural tone instead. Focus on delivering value to your audience by keeping your content information simple.
Let your content be informative, engaging, and entertaining to make readers feel they’re receiving something they cannot find anywhere else.
Your content should be visually appealing too. Consider including video, infographics, or images to keep up with the latest SEO trends (or VEO trends?)
Related: Google Chrome Extensions for Bloggers (That Work Great)
Voice Search Is the Future
The evolution seen in search algorithms and the nature of search patterns based on the evolving technology and the shift in consumer habits requires you to adapt to the new trends. This way, you’ll remain relevant and competitive.
Applying voice search optimization tips to your content is the best way to make your content specific and search engine worthy.
Voice search is becoming popular and constitutes 20% of Google search results, which means its impact is rising. Keep optimizing your content for voice search and make the user intent your priority while at it.
If your content is well-optimized and easy to read, voice search will help you increase your bottom line. Don’t be left behind; join Google Business Profile to enhance your visibility on voice search.
What about you? Do you want to share other tips on optimizing content for voice search? Please leave them in the comment section. I’d love to know about them.
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Hello Heather, I have found that using natural language is helpful in optimizing for voice search. Thanks for such a useful article.
Thanks, Anamika for reading the post and sharing your thoughts!
Optimizing content for voice search is a must in today’s time Thanks Heather for sharing this article.
Indeed, voice search is going to play a critical role in the future. Thanks for the comment, Rahul.
With the increasing use of AI, voice search is going to play an important role in the future. Thanks for the article.
You’re welcome, Ravi. Please subscribe to our newsletter.