6 Killer Tips to Propel Your Voice Search Optimization Experience

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Today we’ll show you how to optimize your website for voice search.

Voice search optimization is critical for gaining traction and topping the search engine rankings.

If you want to make your content searchable and your site rank above the competition, you’ll love the practical tips in this guide.

Let’s dive right in.

1. What is voice search optimization?

Voice search optimization involves making your content searchable through speech.

To achieve this, the content on your web pages should answer the question someone asks in a voice search query.

There are specific ways to align your web pages that help users find information on your website when they're speaking to their devices, rather than doing a manual search.

Voice search technology converts speech to text, prompting search engines to find answers matching a user’s query.

The transformation of voice into text happens with the help of automation speech recognition (ASR) technology.

So far, Google possesses the most advanced ASR system known as Search by Voice.

The process is simple. It involves the user prompting their voice search device with phrases such as, “Okay Google . . .” or “Okay Alexa . . .”

They then ask their desired question, after which the device searches for an answer and reads it back to them.

In some queries, you don’t get a voice answer but a text message informing you what it found.

Siri and Google Home are perfect examples.

Voice search optimization is crucial for enterprises that seek to leverage consumers using search devices.

Statistics on monthly voice searches will blow your mind. Did you know that 30% of all daily online searches are voice-based?

With an ever-increasing volume of voice search queries, you cannot ignore the voice search optimization strategy.

People constantly depend on voice search to find businesses in their locality. With a well-thought-out voice search SEO strategy, you can reach these prospects.

Besides, voice queries help drive your sales. When prospects inquire about products or services they intend to buy, the responses coming from your website are the solutions they need.

Once mobile users search and find your business through their device, they’re more likely to purchase your product.

2. SEO strategies to achieve the best results with voice search

Unlike a typical search that involves typing your query, a voice search yields faster results.

You must adopt SEO strategies that help your prospects find quick answers with these aspects in mind.

Here now are strategies to help your business achieve the best results with voice search:

2.1. Use voice schema

Marking up your content with schema makes it relevant and searchable.

This approach involves identifying speakable content segments of your webpage.

Once you have pinpointed the pages to add to a speakable schema, mark up that specific text.

After that, download the page HTML code and insert the schema in the head section.

You must update the webpage code by adding a new one for the changes to take effect, which will require someone with a web development background to do.

2.2. Optimize for voice search

By now, you already know that voice search uses a question-answer approach.

Optimizing a voice search strategy requires the use of sub-paragraphs and snippets.

Therefore, restructure your content to get rid of large paragraphs, and replace these with short sentences.

Remember, all you want is for the search engine crawlers to capture the snippet and point to a blog post or video with the answer.

Also, while rewriting content, use conversational keywords — the idea here is to be creative.

When users opt for voice search, they are shooting for immediate responses.

Voice searchers use featured snippets.

These are short answers from Google’s first-page ranked searches.

An example of a featured snippet on Google's search engine results page

Snippets offer brief query descriptions that appear above organic search results.

Optimizing for featured snippets ensures that your web page has a better CTR (click-through rate).

Overall, voice search works more or less like a typical conversation. The more you leverage words that one would use in a conversation, the better.

2.3. Use long-tail keywords

Long-tail keywords comprise a phrase with 3-5 words. On the contrary, short-tail keywords feature 1-2 words.

In a search query, the words you speak are often more than what you would type. Besides, you use a question-based conversational tone.

To elaborate further, consider a query seeking a local business that offers digital marketing services.

Your voice search would sound like this: “Ok Google, where can I find a local digital marketing agency?”

However, if you were to type out this search, it would be “digital marketing agency” or “digital agency.”

Do you notice the difference? You asked a complete question in the voice search, while the typing query had short-tail keywords.

Again, voice search keywords are less time-consuming.

Another thing to remember is that voice queries utilize question words like why, what, how, and so on.

Consider adding these question prompts to your long-tail keywords.

Therefore, long-tail keywords are your best bet for lead attraction, and here’s why:

They rank higher on voice search rankings
Users spend less time in their search
They make more sense

2.4. Transform voice search queries into questions

As we have mentioned above, voice queries occur in conversational language.

Most people start their voice searches by asking “How?”, “Where?”, or “What?”.

A screenshot of Google’s “People also ask” tool for finding user queries

Optimize your site for similar questions to capitalize on the voice traffic.

A study conducted by Backlinko reveals that Google offers concise answers. Also, voice search results are 29 words long.

Similar research by Semrush found the text length for answers to be around 41 words.

What do these insights tell us? That you need to transform voice search queries into questions.

If you recall from the discussion on long-tail keyword phrases, users approach voice search differently than other inquiries.

In that case, we advise that you frame these keywords as questions.

For example, say you operate a limousine rental service in Los Angeles.

When optimizing local keywords for voice search, transform this to “where can you find the best limousine rental service in Los Angeles?”.

Source: Semrush.com

A screenshot of the verbal searches questions finder tool from Semrush

But how do you tell which questions your customers frequently ask?

Answer the Public is one tool you can use
Keyword Magic Tool by Semrush generates a list of questions
People also ask, from Google, is another useful feature
KeywordTool.io

These tools help you find questions online users are asking and you can use them to frame your voice search queries.

2.5. Design your web page to load fast

An image depicting systeme.io’s website building feature

If your website takes ages to load, you lose lots of online traffic.

Users want responses almost instantly, and if yours drags on, they seek another.

A delay of ten seconds in a website’s loading time increases its bounce rate by 123%.

Also, your website’s conversion rate drops by 7% if the loading time increases by 100 milliseconds.

Even worse, if you ignore website performance, your SERPs ranking decreases, resulting in low traffic levels.

To remedy this, find and get rid of aspects that slow down your site, including:

Large images
Poorly optimized videos
JavaScript files that delay loading
Clogged database or “overhead”
Caching issues

Load time tests are ideal for determining how long it takes for your site to load.

That way, you know where you stand and improve the user experience.

At systeme.io, we can help design your website and make it resonate with voice search users.

2.6. Focus on local search

Over 46% of online users search for local businesses through voice search every day.

Therefore, we strongly advise that you:

Consider local searches when optimizing your pages
Consult Google’s My Business listing when building your local presence
Start by claiming your local listing
Fill out all information about your company in that listing
Include your business operation hours, add some photos, and a short blurb

Also, enhance your local search optimization by using the relevant keywords that apply to your area.

“Auto repair Dallas” and “auto repair shop in Dallas” are examples of locally relevant keywords.

Once you optimize your website for local search using these tips, you pave the way for increased voice search queries.

3. Benefits of using voice search

Users want quick answers, and voice search technology helps you meet their expectations.

Voice search has grown to surpass web search resulting in heavy investment in the technology by leading tech giants.

Voice search trendsetters include:

Alexa from Amazon
Cortana by Microsoft
Siri from Apple
Google Now from Google

Your SEO strategy must incorporate voice search. Read on to discover the biggest benefits of voice search to your business.

3.1. Increases online traffic

A 2019 Microsoft survey revealed that more online users use voice search compared to a web search, and it’s only grown in popularity.

A well-optimized page attracts more traffic.

Your business could gain top search engine ranking among the top three positions or a bonus featured snippet.

Moreover, when more people visit your website, they translate to conversions and revenue.

Also, high rankings place your business as an authority in the industry.

3.2. Enhances customer experience

Voice search SEO connects your business with its target audience, helping you remain relevant in the industry.

Users will appreciate the speed at which they get answers to their queries — no one has all day to keep searching for a solution.

At the same time, customers are glad that they can access your website through their smartphones.

The good feeling among users translates to lower bounce rates, and enhances interaction with your brand.

Besides, you obtain valuable insights on user intent that help personalize content for your customers.

What makes this even better is that they can obtain voice search answers while on the go.

You must ensure that your content resonates with the audience more than anything else.

A customer profile would help a lot since millennials use voice search differently from Gen Z.

3.3. Keeps you ahead of the competition

Almost every mobile device has features that optimize it for voice search.

Tech companies have integrated digital assistants into their products for your convenience.

Take Microsoft, for example. The company has integrated Cortana into Windows 10 for voice search on your phone, PC, and Xbox One.

Google Assistant is on speakers, headphones, and cars. It listens and does not require a trigger phrase.

Smartphone and speaker - voice search devices

Similarly, Amazon has innovatively integrated Echo into home technology.

There is also Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant that responds to your voice commands.

Echo answers your questions through voice prompts, plays audiobooks, plays music, and controls other devices.

What’s our point exactly? The smart device you regularly use already has digital personal assistants primed for voice search.

Xbox will respond to your voice request to find Netflix, navigate its movie menu, and find the one you like.

While you enjoy the movie, you can speak to Echo and order ice cream on AmazonFresh.

Likewise, if you have a meeting at the office, and are stuck in traffic, ask Cortana to text your colleagues. Tell them you are running late.

Beyond that, Cortana also opens your computer apps, displays news, and checks weather updates.

Voice opportunities are endless.

With such a fast-evolving landscape, optimizing your website for voice search will keep you ahead of your competitors.

4. Voice search FAQs

Voice search is still a relatively new concept, so you're bound to have some questions before your get started.

Luckily, we're armed with answers to help you forge ahead on this new digital frontier.

4.1. What is the future of voice search?

Voice search SEO is a long-term engagement that should stay on top of your digital marketing strategy.

Google keeps updating SERPs such that nothing remains static. What is working for your website today may become redundant tomorrow.

So, if you have not optimized your content for voice search, you are losing big time. You ought to have done it as early as yesterday.

The future of voice search is like a marathon where you need to keep up with the entire course’s pace.

4.2. What are the challenges with voice search optimization on search engines?

4.2.1. Staying on top of the SERPs

You must constantly aim for your site to rank number one for target searches.

The first response a user gets for their search query must be satisfactory.

Otherwise, the user refines their search.

You will lose the lead if that happens, especially when your site is not at the top of SERPs.

4.2.2. Managing user privacy

Users’ privacy concerns could erode the gains you make while optimizing for voice search.

Nobody likes it when you intrude into their private space. Yet, tech companies listen in on people’s conversations.

Thankfully, there are measures to mitigate these.

4.3. What type of businesses benefit most from voice search?

Voice searches benefit the following businesses the most:

Local businesses
Information websites
Review websites
Calculator sites
Media streaming
Language translation sites

People want to find a good place for coffee, movie recommendations, or vacation rentals with unique niche features.

Individuals will connect with grocery stores that sell a particular item. Besides, they want to know the screening time for movies at a theater in their locality.

Local businesses also emerge as a leading beneficiary of voice search queries.

So, what does this tell you? People seek services or merchandise from outlets across the block from where they live.

Therefore, you must adapt your business website and optimize it more for local search results.

5. Systeme.io — The tool to help you optimize for voice search

systeme.io logo

Systeme.io offers you all the tools you need to create SEO web pages and blogs that help you optimize for voice search.

Our website builder comes with proven website templates that speed up your process. Also, our platform features a drag-and-drop editor to help you design your site further.

Even more, you can create blogs, optimize them for local SEO, and start connecting with audiences within a short while.

Besides, systeme.io’s platform brings together other tools that you need for your online business, and these are:

Sales funnels
Email marketing
Affiliate program management
Business automation
Evergreen webinars
Online courses
Marketplace

systeme.io features

Over 10,000 users worldwide use systeme.io’s resources to build and grow their online businesses.

Once you open an account on our Free plan, it stays free forever.

When you upgrade to our paid plans, you will gladly see that our services are affordable. A Startup plan goes for $27/month, while the Unlimited option costs $97/month.

Also, if you choose one of our annual plans, you’ll get a 30% discount and free web migration.