Simple SEO Tips to Help Optimize for Voice Search

“Where can I get some chocolate ice cream?”, “OK Google, will it rain today?”

People all around the world use the voice search option on their smartphones and laptops to make similar queries every day. People of all demographics are widely using the voice search option. The youngsters use it purely for its ease, and the elders use voice search as it is much easier for them when compared to typing the query.

Google recently declared that around 20% of all searches are voice searches right now. And it is being predicted that in a few years, this figure will rise to 50%. The way you type a query, and the way you phrase it for voice search is different. If you want your site to remain relevant and not fade away, you need to ensure that the site is optimized for voice searches as well as text searches.

Here are a few SEO tips to follow to optimize your site for voice searches:

  1. Long Keywords

Voice searches are mostly made in the form of a long phrase. It is no longer enough to just optimize the site for keywords; you need to optimize for long-tail keywords. Think about what questions you would ask and what questions and phrases can lead to your site. Make sure to consult about these SEO tips to be sure your content is optimized for long-tail keywords.

  1. Understand Voice Search

Although it may seem complicated and time-consuming, spend some time going through the user manual or working principle of different voice search protocols. SEO was born because people realized that the way they put content on the site affects its rank and its position in a search. Understanding the working of voice search protocols can help you ensure that your site is optimized for voice search.

  1. Add an FAQ Page

Since most of the voice searches are in the form of questions, if you have questions in your site, it will make it easier for the search engines to find your site. Search engines like Google often search for pages that have the same question that the user asked and also has short snippets of answers. While it may seem impossible to add a question to every page, having an FAQ page with all the problems solutions is a neat way to direct traffic to the site.

  1. Understand Your Audience

The aim of the person who uses text search and voice search is different. It is crucial that you look at your website from the point of view of a user. Try to think of the exact questions they may have that can lead to your site. Understanding the user’s point of view can go a long way in making your website traffic a success.

  1. Use Google My Business Listing

Google has ‘‘My Business’’ feature where you can add all the details about your business to make it easier for users to find you. Make sure you have claimed and optimized your Google My Business listing. You have to use every avenue available to direct traffic to your site and improve your ranking, and this is a great tool to do so.

  1. Optimize Locally

Most of the people who use voice searches are using it to locate some type of business near them. If you are a local business, have all your contact details like address and phone number explicitly listed on the website. Also, try to get your customers to leave reviews for your business. This will also help in improving your page rank for a voice search query.

  1. Improve Readability

Although this rule applies to text searches as well, it becomes more critical when it comes to voice searches. Your site should be easy to read and scan and should be divided into subdivisions. It is also best to avoid having many pop-up screens or ads that can make it difficult for the search engine to scan the content.

Whether you are hiring an SEO writer or you’re posting the content on your website on your own, keeping the above points in mind will help you in optimizing the site for voice search.