Currently, the average voice searches on Google is around 30%. It is estimated that, in 2021, about 25% of workers have used virtual assistants on a daily basis. What’s more, by 2023, a quarter of employee interactions with apps are likely to be voice commands . Based on the above, it is relevant that you ask yourself if your website is prepared to take advantage of this rising trend. To be more specific: are your content and portal optimized for these searches?
Voice searches on Google, what are they and how to use them on our website?
Before learning how to take advantage of Google voice searches , we must know what they are. How does this powerful tool work when implemented on our website? It is also relevant to understand why, at present, it remains the alternative to the typed search .
Voice search is one of the functions developed by Google, which gives us the opportunity to use our voice to make inquiries about any content, service or product that we need. Either from our internet browser or through our mobile device . This function interprets the meaning of the words that we provide them. In addition, it deciphers both the context and the intention of each search that we carry out.
How does Google voice search work?
Google keeps optimizing its algorithm constantly, in order to achieve the ideal positioning of websites. This in order to offer the results we need in the searches we carry out as users. For this reason, if said algorithm detects that a page is important for some searches, it will take care of placing it in the first results. Voice searches have some characteristics that differentiate them from written searches , referring to the way in which it is carried out.
Generally , written searches use “mechanical or robotic terms” that would not be used in normal conversation. An example of this may be that we carry out a search with the following phrase: “Hosting and storage service”, while a voice search gives us the alternative of asking questions naturally, taking as an example this phrase: “What are the best hosting and storage services?
So how can I get the most out of Google voice search?
To take advantage of this resource on your website, we will mention some key tips that will help you position yourself on the main page of the SERP :
Change the focus of keyword research
With the voice search system already in place, we need to direct the key phrase that we use on our site to a more conversational style. This way, this style will look more natural and casual. In order for our page to stand out in these searches, we can use “long tail” type keywords . They are made up of a chain of words that are found in sequence and with meaning, allowing a search to be aimed at a more specific audience.
Make sure we design pages with answers to the FAQ
Knowing the frequently asked questions that our consumers ask, will give us the possibility of developing a page aimed at answering all these questions, allowing us to attract more users through voice search . Now, how do we know which are those frequently asked questions that we must answer? To do this, we can have some options such as:
- Request our commercials or those in charge of the customer service area to be in charge of recording the questions that users ask. It is also relevant to observe those formulated through the social networks that we are managing.
- Surveying users is another way to find out how to answer frequently asked questions they may have regarding our products or services.
- Finally, you can choose to analyze through Google Search Console, the key phrases that are related to the questions that are usually received frequently. And based on that, prepare the answers.
Focus our attention on the snippets
Today, both Google Assistant and Google Home read the top meta description when responding to voice queries. Therefore, it is important to locate our website in the “zero position” of the search engine.
Although there is no method as such to position ourselves in that place, there are some tips that will help us improve SEO for these queries made by voice:
- Use an attractive copy as a title. At this point, we must ensure that our website is optimized. To achieve this, our content must be interesting and both our meta description and our link building strategy must be properly optimized.
- Be sure to answer the specific questions. To do this, it is recommended to include the question as an H2 tag and answer directly in the text field.
- Give a concise answer . In other words, use an ideal or appropriate language, depending on the topic and the audience your content is aimed at. So that it is possible to elaborate a clear and simple answer to understand.
Focus our attention on the snippets
Today, both Google Assistant and Google Home read the top meta description when responding to voice queries. Therefore, it is important to locate our website in the “zero position” of the search engine.
Although there is no method as such to position ourselves in that place, there are some tips that will help us improve SEO for these queries made by voice:
- Use an attractive copy as a title. At this point, we must ensure that our website is optimized. To achieve this, our content must be interesting and both our meta description and our link building strategy must be properly optimized.
- Be sure to answer the specific questions. To do this, it is recommended to include the question as an H2 tag and answer directly in the text field.
- Give a concise answer . In other words, use an ideal or appropriate language, depending on the topic and the audience your content is aimed at. So that it is possible to elaborate a clear and simple answer to understand.
Optimize our local SEO
How to get it? The first thing we must do is analyze and improve our local SEO using the Google My Business tool . Once that is done, we must update our page in said tool with the required information. Thus, we will have a greater chance of appearing in the first results, when users make inquiries about articles or services that we offer.
Do not neglect the loading speed of our page
According to statistics compiled by Google, bounce rates are higher on mobile devices than on desktop computers, exceeding them by a percentage of 9.56%. This gives us the understanding that those people who use the mobile phone to make a query by voice, are in constant movement and need a quick response, since they do not have enough time to wait too long.
So what to do to improve the loading speed of our website? A highly recommended option is to implement an AMP version . In a few words, this is an open source protocol, responsible for facilitating the reading and consultation of content through mobile devices. The AMP protocol allows the mobile page to load approximately four times faster than the equivalent page that does not use this technology.
Make use of the inverted pyramid
The inverted pyramid can be a suitable option for voice SEO , since, in this way, Google can distinguish our content and link it as a possible answer, to any query made by users. This concept consists of developing the text, establishing the following order:
- First: place the most important information, directly answering the questions.
- Second: include well-detailed information that can complement the answer, additionally supported by visual content.
- Third: place examples and some case studies.
It has a responsive design
Responsive design is the technology that allows the format of our website to adapt to any type of device that we use. This step is key, since the majority of voice searches are carried out through mobile devices. For this reason, it is important that our website is made from this kind of design.
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