Optimizing Content for Voice Search and Virtual Assistants
It’s predicted that as many as half of all searches performed could be voice-initiated at some point in the not-so-distant future. The growing reliance on Siri, Alexa, and other virtual assistants (VAs) suggests voice search is here to stay. While SEO will undoubtedly evolve to the point where voice search is a routine part of the optimization process, there are already some steps you can take to make your content more appealing for voice searchers and virtual assistants. The experts at Saba SEO, a leading San Diego SEO company, share a few tips on optimizing your content for voice-based search.
Earn Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are an important part of voice search optimization because Google uses these blurbs of text to deliver responses for voice queries. Increase your odds of making your featured snippets the go-to answer for voice searches by:
• Providing responses to common questions specific to your niche/industry
• Developing related questions you can also address in your content
• Using clear phrasing within your content as you provide answers to common questions and customer problems
Use Question-Based Keyword Phrases
If you aren’t sure what questions to answer in your content, an excellent tool is Answer the Public, which will give you a list of questions specific to certain keywords or phrases specific to your business. These results offer an idea of what people are asking in relation to your products and services.
Localize Your Content
According to a 2016 report, more than 20 percent of people use voice search to find local information. You can easily localize your content and increase your visibility across voice search results by:
• Including location phrases like “near me” in your title tags and meta descriptions
• Using terms or phrases in your content that people in your area use to describe local neighborhoods or districts
• Referencing local landmarks around your business’ physical location
Build Actions and Skills Related to Your Business
Alexa increases the ability for users to do things with Skills. Google Assistant does the same thing with Actions. While there are already thousands of these helpful add-ons in existence, you’ll be doing your brand a big favor if you create some Skills and Actions specific to your business and what you offer, and you don’t have to be an expert coder to do it. There are sites and services available to help you out once you come up with some ideas.
Another optimization tactic is to create voice apps with personalities reflective of your brand. You might have a voice app that can match the gender of the speaker performing a query since research suggests that people prefer to interact with voices of their own gender. You can go even further and give your voice app an outgoing, professional, or playful personality—whatever matches the nature of your brand or industry will work best.
If you need help optimizing your content for voice-based search, turn to Saba SEO, one of the leading marketing companies San Diego businesses trust. For over ten years, our experts have designed winning digital marketing strategies for companies all around the globe. We rely solely on white hat SEO tactics, and we have a proven track record of success. Call us at 858-277-1717 to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable SEO Managers.