Voice search is quickly transforming how consumers search online. In Australia alone, 40% of surveyed households own a Google Home smart speaker. Moreover, 90% of users say voice search is more convenient than text-based search.

These findings only mean voice search is crucial to your local SEO efforts. Why?

It’s because most voice searches centre on relevant and nearby businesses. People use this technology to find the nearest restaurant, get directions to a shop, or check store hours.

Many customers now ask Siri or Alexa for answers rather than type on search engines. Adapting to this trend can boost your online visibility, customer reach, and engagement.

This article walks you through optimising your local SEO for voice search and smart devices. Let’s make the necessary tweaks so customers find your business first when they make that voice query.

Understanding Voice Search and Smart Device Behaviour

Before optimising your local SEO for voice search, it’s best to understand how these two concepts impact businesses and customers today. These can help you integrate voice technology into your operations better.

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1. Users interact with local businesses through smart speakers and other devices.

Because of voice commands on smartphones, smart speakers, and voice assistants, users can now perform voice-activated business interactions, like:

  • Do voice-activated searches. People can say, “Alexa, find a 24/7 plumber near me” or “Hey Google, book me an appointment at ABC Dental Clinic for tomorrow”.
  • Ask questions. Users can ask their smart speakers for business locations, operational hours, service range, and other relevant details.
  • Make bookings and purchases. Smart speakers let users schedule appointments, make reservations, or book services.
  • Get customer support. Users can ask smart speakers frequently asked questions about your business and then direct them to real agents for further assistance.

2. Smart speakers and devices encourage the use of conversational queries.

Compared with traditional text-based searches, voice queries are longer, question-based, and conversational. Instead of saying “law firm near me” to their voice assistants, users are more likely to ask “Where is the nearest property law office?”

This shift in search behaviour suggests that local businesses should infuse natural language, long-tail keywords, and conversational phrases into their content. Matching user behaviour with your localised content can help boost your visibility in voice search results.

3. Voice searches often involve immediate needs and location-based intent.

When a user asks, “Where is the closest plumber?”, the voice assistant searches the Internet for the best answer. These devices heavily depend on the information they find in local business listings and directories.

That means the voice assistant may not find you if you have not claimed your Google Business Profile (GBP) yet or added your business to reliable online directories. Voice-enabled devices may not pick you either if you have inaccurate or inconsistent business details online.

Ensuring your NAP (name, address, phone number) details are complete and accurate increases your chances of appearing in voice-activated local search results.

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Optimising Your Local SEO for Voice Search

Now that we know how voice-activated devices, user behaviour, and SEO work together, you can tailor strategies centred on these components and your business.

Here’s a voice search optimisation checklist to help you get started.

1. Look for Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are conversational and highly specific. Compared with short-tail keywords, long-tail ones have a lower search volume but are often more targeted.

These usually consist of three to five words, reflecting how people formulate a question or request. Examples are “emergency plumber in Melbourne”, “electrician for repairs near me”, and “best carpet cleaners Melbourne CBD”.

To identify long-tail keywords for voice search optimisation, you need to:

  • Understand user intent: Think about how your customers speak, phrase commands, or ask questions when using voice search, then frame your content accordingly.
  • Use Google Search: Check the suggestions that appear as you type into Google’s search bar or the questions in the “People also search for” section.
  • Use keyword research tools: Semrush, Ahrefs, Wordtracker, and similar tools can generate long-tail keyword variations, their search volume, and difficulty. Focus on keywords starting with the five W’s and how (who, what, where, when, why, how).
  • Check user-generated data: Examine your Google Analytics insights to see what users are searching for. You can also read people’s enquiries and reviews on your business profile to identify keywords.

2. Leverage Schema Markup or Structured Data

Schema markups or structured data are codes that search engines use to understand your website’s content. Like search engines, voice search devices also need structured data to understand your business details and provide accurate results to users.

To implement schema markup for voice search, you need to determine which pages require marking up and what schema type applies to each:

  • Use schema.org to add relevant markups.
  • Focus on schema types related to voice search, like FAQs, how-tos, and local business.
  • Test your schema markup with Google’s Rich Results Test tool.

Check out our schema markup guide for beginners for more details.

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3. Create Local FAQs and Question-Based Content

High-quality and relevant content remains essential even in voice search optimisation. You can do this by:

  • Using conversational language. Create articles, blogs, or descriptions in a natural, conversational tone, reflecting how people speak.
  • Answering customers’ questions. Most voice search queries are in question form. So, it is best to structure your content to provide direct answers. For example, you can incorporate question keywords and phrases into your blog headings. Another method is to develop comprehensive FAQ pages (highlighted with an FAQ schema markup) that address questions related to your business.
  • Focusing on local-based content. Voice search users often use local keywords or look for local information. So, have landing pages, service area pages, blog posts, and FAQs that mention local topics and geo-targeted keywords.

Good content for vocal search should be informative yet clear and concise. It’s also best to break down information by providing summaries or bulleted lists.

4. Prioritise Mobile-First Optimisation

Many users rely on mobile devices for voice search and expect quick answers. Therefore, your business website must be fast and mobile-friendly to provide an optimal experience and improve rankings.

Focus on these mobile-first optimisation tasks:

  • Ensure a mobile-first design. Your website should adapt to different mobile devices and screen sizes. Use thumb-friendly dropdowns, clear labels, and clickable contact details.
  • Check your site speed. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. Also, optimise images and other media to reduce loading times.
  • Monitor regularly. Test your website speed on different devices for optimum user experience, especially when making significant site updates or changes.

Don’t forget to incorporate Google’s mobile-first indexing best practices as well.

Enhancing Your Local Presence for Smart Devices

Aside from voice search optimisation, local businesses should adapt to the smart device trend. Your customers now prefer searching online using smartphones or saying quick voice commands to accomplish tasks.

Your strategies should then involve these devices to maintain a strong online presence and keep your business in front of customers. Here’s how.

1. Optimise Your Google Business Profile

  • Claim, verify, and optimise: Have a claimed and verified GBP with accurate business information, like NAP details, categories, and opening hours.
  • Professional photos: Upload high-quality images of your business, team, and products or services.
  • Local keywords: Insert location-specific keywords on your GBP descriptions or posts.
  • FAQs: Create an FAQ section on your GBP to answer common questions and boost engagement.
  • Monitor: Use GBP analytics to track how your voice search optimisation effort and make the necessary adjustments.

2. Publish Voice Search-Friendly Content

  • Conversational tone and natural language: Compose content as if you are telling about it to an audience. Avoid jargon and too complex terms that people do not often use in everyday conversation.
  • Question-based: Structure your content into questions that you can directly answer. Keep articles clear and concise by adding headers, bullet lists, and summaries.
  • Local and long-tail keywords: Insert local-based terms to make your content more visible in the search results. Then, use longer, more specific key phrases to mimic how people speak in voice searches.

3. Get Listed in Local Directories

  • NAP consistency: Be sure your business name, address, and phone number are the same across all listings. Even minor discrepancies can affect your visibility.
  • Customer reviews: Getting listed on Google, Bing, Apple Maps, and other platforms allows customers to leave positive reviews. These build trust and authority, boosting your chances of appearing in voice search results.

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Conclusion

Without a doubt, voice search is changing the local SEO landscape. It influences how your customers find you and interact with your business. You’ll miss many opportunities if you do not start optimising for this emerging trend.

By implementing the voice search optimisation strategies outlined in this article, your SEO efforts can stay adaptable, competitive, and future-ready. Employ these practices now, or contact the Infinite Ace team for assistance.