As the world leans into the convenience of voice-activated assistants, it's time to ask: is your SEO strategy listening? According to a study by SEMRush, 58% of U.S. smartphone users use voice to search for information about a product or service.
With voice search quickly becoming the go-to for finding products and deals, optimizing your SEO for this new shopping assistant is more important than ever.
Tune In to Voice Search Trends
👂 Long-Tail Keywords: The era of typing short, choppy queries is fading. Voice search users are conversational, asking full questions like "Hey Siri, where can I buy almond butter?" or "What's the best yoga studio in town?" Optimize your content for these long-tail keyword phrases to capture this evolving audience.
👂 Featured Snippets: When users ask a question, voice assistants often read out the featured snippet from a website. Ensure your content provides clear, concise answers that could be selected as these snippets, boosting your brand's voice visibility. Brands that provide quick answers in bullet points or paragraphs will gain exposure in voice results.
👂Collect More Reviews: A study by SEMRush found that you're more likely to appear in Siri's local results if you have positive Yelp/Google Reviews. Optimize your reviews by filling out all sections on your profile, choosing the most relevant category, adding images, including relevant keywords naturally, replying to customer reviews, and keeping your listing updated with current business information.
👂 Optimize Your Website for Mobile: Voice assistants may disregard sites that load too slowly. With 45% of Americans using their smartphones for voice search, it's crucial to optimize your site for mobile. Google mainly uses the mobile version of your site to index content, so ensure your site is mobile-friendly to rank highly in voice mobile searches.
👂 Local Personalization: Voice searches are highly personalized, using location data and user preferences to deliver tailored results. Make sure your business is visible in local search results to capture customers looking for nearby options.
As you plan your website strategy for 2024, remember to check if your content is voice assistant friendly. Ensuring your site is optimized for voice search is not just about keeping up with trends—it's about staying ahead and making your brand more accessible to your audience. Embrace the future of search and let your brand be heard.