Speak Up: Enhancing Your Website for Voice Search Success
Jade Grant | April 11, 2024
Voice search is changing the way we think about SEO. As more people use voice-activated devices like smart speakers and smartphones to find information, businesses need to adjust their SEO strategies. Here’s a simplified guide on what this means and how to adapt:
Talk Like Your Customers
People use natural, conversational language when they speak to devices. This means your content should include long-tail keywords and questions that sound like real conversations. Think about the questions your customers might ask out loud and use those in your content.
Local SEO is Key
Voice searches are often local. Users might ask for “the best pizza place near me” or “the closest gas station.” Make sure your business shows up for these local searches by claiming your Google My Business listing and including local keywords in your content.
Answer Questions Clearly
Since voice searches are question-based, format your content to answer questions directly. A straightforward answer at the beginning of your content can help voice search devices pick your answer to read back to the user.
Aim for the Top Spot
Devices usually read the first result for a voice search. This makes it even more important to aim for featured snippets or the top position in search results. Organize your content to directly answer questions, using headers for the questions and providing concise answers.
Speed and Mobile-Friendliness
Because voice searches are mostly done on mobile devices, your website must load quickly and look good on phones and tablets. A mobile-friendly, fast-loading site is more likely to rank well in voice searches.
Adapting to voice search means thinking about how real people talk and what they’re looking for, especially when they’re on the go. By making your content more conversational, focusing on local SEO, and ensuring your site is mobile-friendly, you can improve your chances of being found through voice search.