Focus On Local Search Results

We add focus to better optimise for local search engine and 'near me' searches. A high percentage of mobile and voice searches are location-based queries regarding location, hours of operation, etc. We do not ignore local search results that can be optimised by doing something as simple as claiming and updating a Google Business Profile either. That in itself can help present better content that more easily answers location-based questions, that your target audience may be searching for.

 

Choose Long-Tail Keywords and Conversational Language

To optimise a site for local voice search, we focus on 'long-tail' keywords. These are common phrases that people use in conversations and when voice searching, so should be used when creating content that you want voice search to recognise. Next, we consider local SEO. Creating location-specific content for areas that you’re targeting (like this one for Liverpool). This way, you’ll stand a higher chance of appearing at the top of voice-generated search results pages.

 

Properly Structure a FAQ Page

A good way to get started with voice search is to create FAQs that read like a conversation, not a formal document. If you structure them correctly on your site, you are more likely to get 'featured snippets' from Google. If you are unsure about where to start with content, read your online reviews (and your competitors!) for inspiration. Also looked for 'people also searched for' phrases on Google's search engine results. Also consider ...

 

Answer ‘Who,’ ‘What,’ ‘Where’ And ‘How’ Questions

People often use different terms and longer queries in voice search. Most voice queries start with “who,” “what,” “where” or “how.” Build detailed answers to the most commonly asked questions about your business products or services. Ensure this content answers the who, what, where and how of your products and services, and add an element of fun when appropriate.

 

Keep Your Keywords Simple

When optimising for voice recognition searching, it’s important to keep the keywords simple and natural. When people ask their smartphone or Alexa a question, they aren’t going into detail. The software won’t recognise something too complex. Therefore, the simpler you can be while still having effective SEO, the better!

 

Make It Concise And Easily Understood

Decades ago, marketers had to adapt print copy to online. roduct descriptions and value propositions had to be concise, or the consumer would bounce. Then came the mobile revolution, and marketers had to adapt to video, social marketing and content displayed on a tiny screen. Voice assistants take that to a new level. It’s critical that marketers use simple, direct language that is easily understood in five seconds or less.

 

Don’t Forget Regional Variations In Spoken Dialects

When optimising content for voice search, it’s important to remember where your target customers live and the different languages or dialects they may speak. The spoken language is different from the written language, so marketers should ensure that keywords are optimised for each specific region - and differences in spelling that detect the differences in intonation or accent.

 

Consider Impact Of Creative Or Ambiguous Spelling

One of the biggest things to consider is how easy it is to transcribe your business or offering, and how well people can pronounce it. While this doesn’t impact brands such as Ford, it does affect any brand which uses creative spelling or has any kind of ambiguity. If you can’t change the brand itself, make the material easy to remember and unique for each campaign.

 

Keep Speech Patterns And Idioms In Mind

When we optimise content for voice search, we look into speech patterns in more depth versus the typical focus on keywords for SEO. It is important to keep in mind that speech patterns include idioms that will vary by country, culture and industry.

 

Anticipate User Questions And Answer Them

As a marketer, you should anticipate any questions your users may have, and then answer them through your website content. This creates a better user experience and more informative content, making your website more likely to show up in featured snippets, which is where Alexa’s and Siri’s
responses are often pulled from.