Although voice search SEO technology dates to the 1960s, it became more prominent in the early 2000s. Services like automated telephone directories used it, but it wasn’t yet integrated into mainstream options.
The proliferation of smartphones led to a significant leap in voice search usage. Apple introduced Siri in 2011, followed by Microsoft’s Cortana, Google’s Google Now, and Amazon’s Alexa.
In 2016, Google introduced RankBrain. It is a machine learning algorithm that helps process search results. In return, the search engine can distinguish the nuances of voice searches from a standard query.
If you haven’t considered voice search SEO for your marketing yet, 2024 might be the time to add it or start transitioning towards it.
How to Prepare for the Voice Search SEO Evolution
Transitioning to voice search in 2024 is a smart move for your business because devices make it easier than ever to interact this way with your brand. You’ll need to take a few steps to successfully add this element to your outreach efforts, so let’s take a closer look at your options.
1. Adjust to Natural Language Queries
Voice searches tend to be phrased differently than standard text-based queries. Most people are conversational when interacting with your devices, which means your content must be prepared for what someone might say.
To prepare for this transition, try to include more complete sentences or phrases within your content that your audience would use when speaking.
If you have a hot dog cart in Seattle, a good keyword for standard SEO might be “best hot dog cart in Seattle.” With voice search, you’d want to adjust that to “What is the best hot dog cart in Seattle?”
2. Focus on Local Voice Search SEO
Most voice searches are looking for local brands. People look online for products or services close to them based on specific needs. That means you’ll want to verify accurate listing information on Google, Bing, and other directories.
It helps to use region-specific keywords or phrases in your metadata and content to develop value in this area. That Seattle hot dog cart owner might look at options like “best hot dogs in King County” or “top hot dog carts in Western Washington.”
Hyper-local SEO is helpful in this area for some businesses. If you operate from a specific location, use that information for your voice search transition. Here are some examples for that hot dog vendor that you could duplicate for your business.
- “Is there a hot dog cart at the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal?”
- “Can I buy hot dogs at Pike Place Market?”
- “Are there hot dog carts on Fifth Avenue in Seattle?”
If you’re unsure of what people might ask a search engine, try asking your current customers how they found you. That information will translate into queries that you can turn into viable keywords.
3. Improve Your Website Loading Speed
Did you know that voice search devices give a higher priority to faster websites? This trend is especially prevalent for those using smart speakers at home or in the office.
A fantastic tool to use for checking this metric is Google’s PageSpeed Insights. It lets you see how fast your site operates and delivers ideas to improve the numbers.
One of the first steps to take in this area to improve your voice search SEO is to reduce scripts that slow down your speed. Take a look at your image quality to see if the file sizes could be reduced.
Another option is to review your code or template to see if it keeps speeds down on the initial load. Removing repetitive options that creep into this space can deliver some benefits.
4. Find Voice Search SEO Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are a staple of modern SEO. These specific phrases allow for a more refined result. When people speak, they often use these terms within individually-based verbal commands.
Since longer keywords have less competition than generic ones, it becomes easier for your website to rank for them.
Instead of packing your content full of different phrases, try to target primary and secondary long-tail keywords to help your site transition to voice search. Use them in sentences with natural structures.
Your goal is to be as conversational as possible with your voice search SEO efforts. People aren’t coming to a business for a research paper or college-level content. They want something simple and scannable that lets them find what they need!
Most long-tail keywords contain at least four words. If you choose options with five or more, you’ll have more ranking options.
5. Create Multiple FAQ Pages
People tend to ask specific things with voice search technology. Your Frequently Asked Questions page does an excellent job of providing targeted and relevant content that helps with SEO.
Instead of having a single FAQ page, create one for each topic you cover. Structure them in a question-and-answer format with actual queries from your audience.
It helps to cover a wide range of relevant topics to get the most from this option. You will want to ensure each question is relevant to your brand, business, and industry.
6. Review Responsiveness
When smart tech isn’t being used for voice search, the average person is holding a tablet or smartphone to find content. That means your website should offer a mobile-friendly structure.
Your template or theme should be responsive. Search engines rank sites higher when they automatically adjust to screen size changes for users.
Try testing your site on several devices and browsers to ensure it is readable. If it is, then check its navigability. Correct any issues you discover, then commit to reviewing this functionality frequently to avoid an unpleasant surprise.
7. Use Schema Markup
Search engines use schema markup to understand your content’s context. Since voice search SEO can deliver a direct answer to a user query, it’s a beneficial addition to your marketing efforts.
When you implement semantic vocabulary for the first time, focus on things like your business location, product info, and operating hours.
Several types of schema markups are available to use.
- ‘LocalBusiness’
- ‘Product’
- ‘FAQPage’
- ‘Event’
Before implementing your schema markup, use tools like Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool to validate your markup. Once you meet the basic needs, focus on your audience’s priorities. Review your analytics to see what visitors prefer so that you can refine this information further.
8. Keep Track of the Search Trends
Voice search SEO is an ever-evolving approach to building traffic and revenues. By staying up-to-date on the latest algorithms and technology, you’ll be ready to respond to changes as they occur.
Best practices are also in a state of flux. Try to get into the habit of checking your site’s content monthly to ensure it meets your audience’s needs. It is much easier to do small updates than to completely revamp everything after letting it sit for months or years!
How can you keep track of the latest trends in this category?
- Attend webinars or local seminars that focus on this topic.
- Get alerts from industry blogs that discuss this information.
- Participate in forums and other relevant online communities to glean knowledge from your peers.
Several tools let you track search trends if those options aren’t feasible for your current circumstances. Consider SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Trends. Each has its own strengths, so the best one depends on your specific requirements.
9. Get to Know Your Audience
Knowing how your audience speaks and what they want can help you tailor your content for voice search SEO. You can review customer interactions, monitor reviews, and engage in social media conversations to develop new resources.
Use the insights given to you by your audience to develop a content calendar that matches their search queries and speaking styles.
Instead of a “hot dog cart,” your audience might call it a “hot dog stand.” It’s a small difference, but one that matters from an SEO perspective.
AI products like ChatGPT can be helpful in this area. You can use these tools to research different terms that people use in each geographic region where you’re active.
- “How do people say “hot dog cart” in London?
- “What are hot dog vendors in New York City called?”
- “Can I find street food, like hot dogs, in Paris?”
Don’t rely on the AI tools exclusively to create content or find keywords. Use all your resources to produce content suitable for voice search SEO.
That includes your local knowledge and industry expertise.
Do You Need to Add Voice Search SEO to Your Priorities?
Voice search SEO becomes a crucial marketing priority when you’re targeting audiences who frequently use voice-activated devices or when your products or services align well with these queries.
If your audience heavily uses mobile devices, it makes sense to add this component to your marketing efforts.
Voice search is also helpful for businesses that serve individuals with disabilities or require audio interactions. Your content becomes inclusive and accessible, which can open several figurative doors for your consumers.
Some businesses have significant audience segments where people are early adopters of new technologies or processes. Voice search SEO can help you reach this highly engaged group.
With these tips in mind, please remember that the focus needs to stay on natural language. Keywords are essential, but you also need to know how people ask questions or speak in conversations.
When you target meaningful phrases, you’ll start seeing growth in your audience – and hopefully in your revenues!