It’s no surprise that everybody’s vying for those top spots on search engine results pages (SERPs). Of course, there’s only limited real estate on page one, which means not everybody can be a winner. In today’s world, it’s not just about creating SEO that makes the search engines happy; it’s about creating content that’s voice-searchable. In 2020, it was estimated that 30% of all web sessions will be conducted via voice. This changed the game for companies that are used to using robotic keywords because voice inquiries are based on fluid phrases that reflect the way people actually speak.
If you want to gain points in the world of natural search, you have to give the search engines what they’re looking for. This, in turn, means catering to what your audience is ultimately looking for and how they’re looking for it. With that in mind, here are a few best practices that can help you boost your voice-search rankings in 2021.
How Does Voice Search Work?
Let’s start with the basics. Voice search is used when people ask their questions or give commands to their devices by talking to them. In turn, the device searches the internet on the person’s behalf and fulfills the command or answers the question.
How Do You Appear in Voice Search?
Since voice searches rely on natural conversation patterns, you can no longer stick to clunky keywords because that’s not how people speak in real life. Instead, target long-tail keyword phrases that are more specific and less common than other keywords. The following voice-search optimization tactics can also help you rank better:
- Optimize for rich answers
- Re-imagine and restructuring your content
- Use conversational language
- Improve loading time on your website
- Ensure mobile-friendliness of your site
- Leverage Google My Business listings
How is Voice Search Changing SEO?
When voice search overtakes text search — which is only a matter of time, given that voice search has seen an exponential surge in use in just the past few years — only one search result will matter. If that’s not you, you’re automatically going to be losing out on the attention of that potential audience. This means you should be doing a few things to catch the eye of the search engines:
- Always aim for Google’s featured snippet. In 2018, 40.7% of all voice search results came from a featured snippet. As consumers’ use of the internet has changed and evolved, this number has undoubtedly only increased.
- Create and polish your Google My Business profile. Your Google My Business account is a key way to let Google know who you are, what you’re all about, and where your target audience can find you.
- Transform queries into questions. Instead of using a word like “electrician” as a keyword, use something a voice searcher would actually say when they’re talking to their smart device, such as “Where can I find an electrician near me?” The same goes for the content that’s on your website. It’s a good idea to offer an FAQ page where you can easily create question-and-answer content that can facilitate being found during voice searches.
If you’re searching for voice optimization services that can help you get your content ready for this coming year, you’ve come to the right place! Contact our digital marketing experts today to get started.
