According to eMarketer, Google Home is the most popular smart speaker in Canada, with Amazon Echo right behind. It’s estimated that almost 20% of the population used smart speakers in 2020. Even more important, voice technology is on the rise, as Media in Canada reports. Over 88% of Canadians are using voice search. If your business isn’t addressing voice search in your SEO content, you could be missing out.
How is Voice Search Different from Traditional Search?
To optimize your content marketing for voice search, you need to understand how voice search differs from traditional search. Traditional search is when someone types the search terms into the search engine. With voice search, someone speaks into the microphone to pull up a search. Voice searches often start with, “who,” “what,” “where,” or “how.” Voice search tends to be more conversational, not always using keyword strings as in traditional search.
How to Optimize for Voice Search
Copywriters can write for voice search in the same content pieces that are optimized for traditional SEO. Developing content for voice search just means thinking deeper about the user and how that individual may search. Voice search is often used to get answers and information, so keep in mind what your audience wants when you optimize for voice search.
1. Identify User Questions
Your audience has questions and wants answers. Google’s algorithm, Hummingbird, is helping users find better answers with voice search, but when your copywriters use FAQs to provide informative content, voice search can pull responses more effectively.
2. Focus on Local Search
Your small business has the edge in local search. Mobile and voice searches are often location-based searches, trying to find hours of operation, parking information, and addresses. Keep your Google My Business information updated to make sure you show up in local search results.
3. Use Conversational Language
Focus on how people talk when you create content. Your customers talk to voice assistants differently than they type. You may need to use more specific search phrases. Writing for your audience as though you were responding verbally, is more engaging. Create high-quality voice searchable content and you will boost SEO results.
4. Simple, Concise Language
Although you may be using longer keyword phrases, you should still try to keep content structure simple and concise. Remember to think about how people talk to Alexa or Siri. They aren’t going into great detail or using complex, long-winded sentences. You want the software to recognize your answer for their question.
Creating Simple, Search-Friendly Content is Complex
To get results with your content strategy, you need a solid plan that optimizes for voice search, traditional SEO, and your reader’s engagement. Your readers want simple, clear, meaningful content—and producing this is not an easy task. MintCopy is a content agency that can power results to connect your business with customers, regardless of how they search. Contact us to discuss your content needs and let us show you how we can support your content strategy.
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Sheetal Pinto is the founder of MintCopy, a content agency that has been helping businesses communicate effectively since 2008. With a passion for words and a knack for SEO, she’s worked with companies around the world to craft copy that not only engages but ranks. Whether it’s blog posts, website content, or social media updates, Sheetal has a talent for turning complex ideas into compelling stories. When she’s not optimizing content or editing for clarity, she’s probably daydreaming about the perfect headline or debating the Oxford comma. With over 16 years in the business, she’s seen the digital marketing and SEO content landscape evolve and grow. Sheetal’s mantra? Fresh copy, refreshing results!
