We all do voice searches on Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. If you think about it, most applications, websites, and search engines also have voice-enabled search options. It has become so common that it no longer surprises us when voice search-focused content is presented before us. If surveys are to be considered, eMarketer’s 2017 reports said about 35.6 million people in America use voice assistance devices at least one time a month. Content and copywriters are also slowly optimizing their formats and strategies to meet the demand. Writing integrates with voice search features to pave the way for innovation and convenience.
What is a voice search?
It is defined as a technology allowing people to search for desired queries just by speaking into their respective devices.
You can practically ask any question or apply a keyword to get your desired result. It works similar to search engines the only difference being with a voice search, you say your query out loud instead of typing the same in a search bar.
The technology runs the recorded query across various search engines and databases to come up with the best possible answer. According to surveys, Google’s daily 3.5 billion searches account for about one-third of voice searches.
Voice search came into being and was popularized with Apple’s Siri. Followed by, Google Home and Alexa that took over consumers like a storm.
Voice Search and Content Writers
With the widespread advent of voice enables searches, it is time for content writers to change their strategies and writing styles. Incorporating ideas that enable voice searches not only helps in improving the brand image but also gives customers a good user experience.
Customer Relationship and Voice Search
41% of all people who own voice-activated devices say that the interaction often feels real. This is a good opportunity for writers by forging a relationship between the brand and the customer through searches on a voice-activated device.
The writing should be such that users interact more with the device and learn about the brand and its products.
Voice Search and Online Sales
Content aims at captivating consumers to buy products of specific brands. Whenever a writer is preparing content, they must make sure to optimize the same for voice search. Sales made through voice searches are predicted by many to reach a whopping $40 billion worldwide by the year 2022.
SEO Standards
Optimization is one of the key features of well-written content. SEO was the priority for a good ranking on search engines. But with voice search, the very goals have changed. Ranking on the first page of a search engine is not the best outcome. To succeed, you must be on top of the listings.
Voice searches give you one answer rather than endless ones like in a search engine. So, writers must optimize wisely to make the brand visible before voice searching customers.
Some Tips for Writers for Optimum Voice Search Results
If you are looking to improve business content, online sales, and website traffic through voice searches, the following tips will help you:
Featured Snippets - According to Moz, featured snippets are nothing but selected search results. They feature atop Google results and are situated below the ads.
Voice searches give single results. Hence, always create content so that it ranks as a featured snippet. The following tips will come in handy:
- Organize your content
- Answer questions
- Start with keyword research
- Consider on-site SEO
Long-tail Keywords
Voice search queries are rarely single keywords.
For example, if you are looking for an eatery near you, you do not just say ‘restaurants’.
Instead, you ask questions like:
Restaurants near me
Best restaurants in London
Best Chinese eatery around me
These are known as long-tail phrases or keywords. As a writer, you must do your research and find out which one is used by most. You can then create your content around these keywords.
Writing Tone
Voice search-focused content must always be personal, conversational, and relatable. Conversation is the backbone of voice technology. So, content should not sound robotic but must have a personal touch. In this new day and age, the known standards of content writing are becoming obsolete and moving towards a more humane and practical approach.
Authoritative Content
Any content irrespective of its goals must be informative, relatable, captivating, and one that connects with the mass. Content that educated readers and makes space for increasing brand awareness, one that is relatable is identified by search engines. Authoritative content is a strategy that improves ranking and increases the chances of becoming the answer to a particular voice search query.
Google My Business
Voice searches are found to be local-based three times more than text searches. So, always fill out your Google My Business listing.
Without it, your listing will find it hard to get chosen by a device. Also, incorrect information will only result in missing out on customers and opportunities.
Answer-Focused Content
Content must be such that it answers the voice search query. Answering FAQs can be a start. Common questions on products, return policies, customer service, etc. can be optimized to get desired results.
Form content around specific question types such as:
- Blog posts on products and services
- FAQ for products and services
- Product videos
- Always include long-tail keywords to help your customer find the right answer as well
Local SEO
Voice search marketing and local SEO are connected. Voice searches mostly have local intent. So always have a local SEP plan ready for implementation. Make sure to fill out your Google My Business listing along with information and keywords related to
- Service areas
- Address
- Phone number
- Local organizations
- Involvement
- Optimize Product Descriptions
About 52% of Google voice search users look for information about sales, promotion, offers, and other shopping scopes. This should be kept in mind while writing product details. Optimizing descriptions and pages are a must. Use the following:
- Mobile responsive design
- Local keywords and content
- Long-tail keywords
- Image Description
- Organized headers
- Alt text keywords
- FAQ section
As the use of voice search increases with each passing day, marketing styles are also changing. Optimization aimed towards voice enables searches is a must for all content writers. The above tips will help you shape the written content for your business.
