Voice search optimization
Much of the current SEO industry hype is centered around mobile optimization, but there is actually another, potentially far more important player in the search arena. As recently as a few years ago, voice search was seen as more of a novelty than as something that is here to stay. Voice search apps now come preinstalled on practically every mobile device, for example, Siri on iPhones and Google Assistant on Android devices.
Another reason for the sudden surge in voice search usage rates over the past two years is the introduction and immediate popularity of in home smart devices such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Let’s take a quick dive into some voice search statistics and usage rates.
Why Is Voice Search Optimization Important for My Law Firm?
As per the 2014 studies commissioned by Google, 55% of teens and 41% of adults use voice search at least once a day. Even more important, the studies also revealed that 38% of teens and 40% of adults use voice search to find directions to local businesses on their mobile devices.
According to Meeker’s more recent internet trends report in 2016, mobile voice-related searches are three times more likely to be local-based than text-based queries. This makes local voice SEO critical for businesses seeking to appear in these results.
In an in-depth study of Google trends data by Search Engine Watch, voice searches were 35 times more common in 2016 than they were in 2008. According to ComScore, 1 in 2 people use voice technology on their smartphone, and 1 in 3 voice technology users use voice technology daily.
It’s safe to say that voice search technology has thrown its name into the ring in a big way and it’s here to stay. That begs the question, “How do I optimize my website for voice search?”
Local Law Firm Voice Search Optimization
Make sure all of your information is correct and up to date in Google My Business. You also want to ensure your business information is as uniform as possible across all local directories, such as Yelp and the Yellow Pages.
Focus on obtaining featured snippets, or what we commonly call in the SEO industry “position zero.” Test data shows that Google voice search queries will most frequently return information from featured snippets in the search results.
Create frequently asked questions sections on all of your landing pages. Try to word the questions in ways that people would ask them. Answer the questions directly and with as simple language as possible. Keep in mind, voice search engines will try to return specific, short answers to what the person is searching for.
Add in long-tail keywords to the content of your site and try to focus on making some of your keywords conversational. Keep in mind how you would search for something if you were speaking out loud rather than sitting at your desktop and typing into a search bar.
Think about what kinds of questions your clients routinely ask you. Why do people need your services? What do they call and ask? Mimic these questions and topics on your landing pages. You can even ask your receptionist to make a list of the top 10 or 20 questions she is routinely asked.
Contact a Voice Search Specialist Today
Taking steps to optimize your firm’s website for voice search now is a great way to get out ahead of the competition. Voice search is still in its infancy, but the data clearly shows that people are using voice to get recommendations, directions and information on local businesses. Are you interested in a free voice search evaluation? Contact us today if you’re considering implementing voice search optimization into your marketing strategy.
