Voice Search Optimisation: Preparing Your Website for the Future
Voice search is no longer just a novelty; it has become an integral part of how people interact with the internet. With the widespread use of smartphones, smart speakers, and virtual assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search is rapidly becoming the go-to method for finding information online. As a result, businesses must adapt to this shift in user behaviour to stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape.This article will walk you through how voice search works, why it matters, and how you can optimise your website to take full advantage of this growing trend. By preparing for voice search now, you’ll be well-equipped to meet the needs of your audience and ensure your site remains discoverable.
How is Voice Search Different?
Voice search is fundamentally different from traditional text-based search. When people use voice search, they typically ask full questions, unlike typed queries, which are usually shorter and more direct. For example, while a typed search might be something like "best pizza in London," a voice search would sound more like, "What are the best pizza places near me?" These voice queries are longer, more natural, and often more conversational.The shift towards longer, more detailed queries means businesses must think differently about how they structure their content. Unlike traditional search engine optimisation (SEO), which often focuses on shorter keywords, voice search optimisation focuses on answering specific, question-based queries.
Try and Use Natural Language
When optimising your website for voice search, it’s crucial to use natural, conversational language in your content. People speak to their devices as if they are talking to another person, so your content should reflect this.To effectively capture voice search traffic, incorporate complete questions and answers into your pages. One of the simplest ways to do this is by adding a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to your site. This allows you to create natural, conversational content without disrupting the flow of your primary content. Additionally, tools like Google’s "People Also Ask" can help you identify common voice search queries in your industry, which you can then address in your FAQs.For example, instead of just focusing on keywords like "pizza in London," you could structure content around questions such as "What’s the best pizza in London for vegans?" This way, you’re matching the way people phrase their searches.
Focus on Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are the boxed information that appears at the top of Google search results, offering direct answers to users’ questions. Voice assistants often pull their answers from these snippets, which makes them incredibly important for voice search optimisation.To increase your chances of being selected for a featured snippet, structure your content in a way that provides clear, concise answers to common questions. It’s best to keep your answers between 40–60 words, and use lists or steps when applicable. For example, if you’re providing a "how-to" guide, breaking the information into bullet points or numbered steps makes it easier for both search engines and voice assistants to extract the information they need.Using clear headings and subheadings in your content will also help search engines understand your page’s structure, making it easier to feature your content in snippets. Organising your content for readability not only improves user experience but also makes it more likely that you’ll appear in these valuable spots on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Optimise for Local Voice Searches
Local SEO is becoming increasingly important as more people use voice search to find services near them. Many voice queries have local intent, with people asking questions like, "Where’s the nearest coffee shop?" or "Find a plumber near me." If your business relies on local traffic, it’s crucial to optimise your website for local voice search.Start by claiming and updating your Google Business Profile, ensuring your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms. Make sure your website includes location-based keywords in your content, meta descriptions, and titles. This will help search engines understand your location and match you with local queries.Additionally, ensure that your website includes useful information like maps, opening hours, and directions. Voice assistants often pull this kind of information from websites, so including it on your site will make it easier for your business to appear in local search results.
Write for Humans, Not Just Search Engines
While optimising your website for voice search is crucial, it’s important to remember that you’re writing for real people, not just search engines. Clear, helpful content that speaks directly to your audience is far more valuable than content that’s stuffed with keywords in an attempt to trick search engines.Avoid using too much technical jargon, and keep your sentences short and simple. Prioritise readability and clarity over keyword stuffing. Voice search users are looking for quick, straightforward answers, so your content should reflect that need.For example, instead of focusing on a specific keyword, focus on providing useful and easy-to-understand information that directly answers a user’s question. This will help you not only rank higher for voice search but also engage your audience more effectively.
Voice Search and AI Search Share the Same Foundation
Voice search and AI search are closely linked, and many of the strategies you use to optimise for one will also benefit the other. For instance, both voice search and AI search rely heavily on natural language processing (NLP), which is a technology that helps computers understand human language.As AI-driven tools like Google’s AI Overviews and ChatGPT become more prevalent, they will increasingly pull answers from websites that are optimised for voice search. If your website is already optimised for voice search, you’re essentially future-proofing your content for AI search as well. By focusing on conversational content and clear, structured answers, you’ll make it easier for AI systems to generate relevant results from your website.
Conclusion
Voice search is no longer just a trend; it’s a key part of how people interact with the web. With more users relying on voice assistants for quick answers, businesses must adapt their websites to meet the demands of this growing shift in search behaviour. To optimise for voice search, focus on creating conversational, natural-sounding content, ensuring your site structure supports featured snippets, and optimising for local SEO.By taking the time now to optimise your website for voice search, you’ll not only improve your chances of appearing in voice queries but also prepare your site for the future of AI search. The key takeaway? Optimise your content for humans, not machines, and your website will be ready to answer when your customers ask.
FAQs
What is the difference between voice search and traditional search? Voice search typically involves longer, conversational queries, while traditional search tends to be more concise and keyword-focused. Voice search is driven by natural language, making it important to structure your content around questions and complete phrases.How can I optimise my website for voice search? To optimise for voice search, use natural, conversational language, focus on answering common questions, optimise for local SEO, and structure your content to be easy for search engines to extract information from.Why is local SEO important for voice search? Many voice searches are location-based, so optimising your site for local SEO ensures that your business appears in relevant local queries. This includes claiming your Google Business Profile and ensuring consistent NAP information across the web.How does AI search relate to voice search? Voice search and AI search share similar foundations, as both rely on natural language processing. By optimising your content for voice search, you’re also preparing it for AI-driven search experiences, improving your chances of being surfaced in AI-generated answers.
