When Google introduced voice search way back in 2011, it was more of a novelty than anything. The Siri voice-activated virtual assistant — an independent app until Apple bought it, also in 2011 — had launched only a year earlier; the internet was rife with articles like “101 Things You Didn’t Know Siri Could Do” and “Funny Things to Ask Siri.”
But in the years since, people started taking voice search seriously. They stopped asking Siri to tell them a joke and started asking her (and the other voice assistants that followed in her wake) where to find the nearest coffee shop, what time their local supermarket closes, and who to call if their AC breaks down on a hot holiday weekend.
Today, more than 120 million U.S. adults use voice search at least once a month. That’s a market you can’t afford to ignore.
That’s why we’re going to talk to you about how to hone your search engine optimization and content strategies for it. Check out our favorite tips for this emerging trend.
3 Tips to Optimize Your Business for Voice Search
#1: Target Full Sentences and Questions
Humans don’t talk the way we type. If we’re entering a query into a web browser, we tend to use phrases. But when we’re talking to Siri, Alexa or Cortana, we’re more inclined to ask questions and speak in full sentences.
Thus, if you want your business to be found on voice search, you need to use well-researched, long-tail keywords. (A tool for keyword research can be a huge help here.)
You can also do a little self-sleuthing, too. Search a question about your business and check out the “people also ask” and “related searches” sections to get an idea of what people are really looking for.
#2: Create a Google Business Profile
More than 52% of people use voice search most often while they’re driving. Which means that they’re already in the car and looking for something right now.
By prioritizing local SEO, you’re making sure that these people can find you. And creating a Google Business Profile is the best way to rank in local voice searches.
A Google Business Profile is completely free and allows you to list important information like operating hours and contact information. It also lists your location on Google Maps.
When someone performs a voice search for a local business, this is where Google will pull the search results from, so having a complete, accurate Google Business Profile is crucial if you want to be found.
#3: Put First Things First
When it comes to content creation, most businesses try their best to develop rich, fully-fledged articles and blog posts. And that’s fine — when someone is sitting at home in front of their computer and thoroughly researching a topic.
But when someone is in their car and uses their voice-activated device to ask “Why are my headlights flickering?” they don’t want to know the history of headlights or where to buy headlights. They want to know how to get them to stop flickering immediately.
You don’t have to ditch the robust content, but you do have to tweak it a bit. Make sure you’re keeping the most relevant information above the fold. Try using your headlines to pose a question and then immediately provide a brief answer in the first paragraph.
Once you’ve done that, you’re free to dive as deep into the subject matter as you want. The people using voice search have the answer to their most pressing question, and the people interested in learning more have the opportunity to do so.
Voice Search Gets People Talking About Your Business!
Siri will still tell you a joke if you ask her to. (Her material has gotten better over the years.) But she’ll also tell you where to get the best chicken marsala in town, which gas station has the cheapest prices and who can fix those flickering headlights. Those are the questions your customers are really asking. Optimizing your business for voice search will put you on the map!
From emerging trends to tried-and-true marketing staples, Mischa Communications has all your business bases covered. How can we help?