In researching trends in voice-activated speaker use, NPR and Edison Research reports that approximately 65 million Americans own smart speakers today. And this is only expected to grow: Thirty percent of all searches will be done without a screen by 2020.
What Makes Voice Search and Text Search Different?
In content marketing, specifically, you’ll need to understand how consumers are using this search method and how it can affect your SEO rankings. Searches over voice tend to differ from traditional text queries in that they’re:
* Much longer * More conversational in tone *Posed as questions or commands
Learn How To Optimize Your Content for Voice
1. Embrace natural language
Voice-optimized content makes use of long-tail keywords and conversational language. Voice search questions are usually three to five keywords in length, if not longer, whereas the average traditional search is just two keywords long. Using certain question-oriented phrases—such as who, what, where, when, why, how, can, top, and best—in your keywords and natural language can help you get your content heard by more audiences.
2. Make your content as easy to digest as possible
According to a report by Backlinko, the average search result is written at a ninth-grade reading level. So use clear and direct language to optimize your voice content. Keep this in mind with formatting, too. Steer clear of complex data tables or long lists of links, and simplify your site navigation.
3. Ensure your site is mobile-friendly
Mobile is the primary source for voice-driven search. Also, remember that page speed is absolutely critical to engaging site visitors. Users expect the website and pages to load quickly, if not instantaneously. A good rule of thumb: If it’s good for mobile, it’s probably good for voice.
4. Add a FAQ page
FAQ pages come up more often in the results for voice searches than those performed on a desktop. So research questions that your audience is likely to ask and then create content around them.