Hey Siri!!! Copywriting Techniques that Optimize for Voice Search

With over 41% of adults using voice search technology at least once a day, smart marketers are adapting to this trend and optimizing their content to match this advancement in technology. Writing for audio SEO can be done by making slight modifications to your current copywriting and content writing strategy, resulting in Google and other search engines rewarding you with higher rankings and even a chance to grab that coveted “featured snippet” spot. Here are some copywriting Techniques to optimize voice search.

How Do You Optimize for Voice Search?

Many business owners opt to partner with a copywriting agency or take a copywriting course to learn how to write voice search optimized content. However, there are ways you can start optimizing your content, DIY-style.

Optimizing for voice search can be done using the below copywriting techniques that are both effective and easy to implement:

Use a Question-Answer Format

Consider how people speak to their voice search assistants: most queries are in the form of questions. Use questions in headers and then answer the questions within the subsequent body text.

Utilize Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are phrases that are typically more than 3 words long that provide more detail into what a user is searching for. Long-tail keywords not only mimics how someone speaks to their voice assistant, but those who search using long-tail keywords are closer to making a purchase decision because they are looking for something highly specific.

For example, let’s say you are a clothing retailer in Columbus, Ohio with a large raincoat selection, and you are trying to rank with related keywords. It’s less likely that a voice search query would be something as simplified as a “raincoat.” A voice search user would typically go into detail with the phrasing, using a search query such as “where can I buy a raincoat in Columbus, Ohio?”

As the retailer, you would utilize this long-tail phrase to better optimize your content (and attract qualified leads!).

Write Conversationally

In addition to writing in a question and answer format and utilizing long-tail keywords, writing in a natural and conversational tone mimics how someone makes voice search queries.

Consider: some of these voice assistants have actual “names”. When someone is calling out for Siri or Alexa, it is almost as if they are speaking to a friend. Speaking in full sentences and in a conversational tone. Mimicking this tone within your content can help you rank for voice search.

Update Your Older Content

Voice search optimization can be applied to your older content as well as any of your future content. Not only does updating your existing content make it more likely that you will have more opportunities to rank for voice queries, updating older content signals to Google that your content is still relevant. Which is good for search engine optimization overall.

What Content Can Be Optimized for Voice Search?

With Siri, Alexa, and GoogleHome becoming household names, copywriters and content writers are recognizing the importance of optimizing for voice search across all platforms.

Four of the most important (and easiest to implement) pieces of web content to optimize for voice search are:

• Blog posts

Blog posts are a great place to optimize for voice search as well as provide a superior customer experience. Because blog posts are typically focused on a singular topic, you can answer your customers’ questions on a specific topic. Utilizing headings in the question and answer format as seen above.

• Frequently asked questions pages

Your FAQ page is arguably the easiest place to implement voice SEO techniques. This is because, inherently, the headings will be in a question format. To build on this, go in-depth with your frequently asked questions. And anticipating any questions your audience may have so that you are utilizing this space as much as possible.

• Landing pages

Another great place to implement voice search optimization techniques, your landing pages are where your audience can find detailed information on your products, services, or business. You can utilize landing pages to answer consumer questions. While simultaneously writing copy that moves your audience towards a sale, making your landing pages high-converting machines.

• Product descriptions

With Amazon’s Alexa exploding in popularity and Amazon’s popularity as an online shopping platform, e-commerce businesses are smart to optimize their product descriptions for voice search.

Voice Search: Worth the Effort?

So, is it worth the time and effort to optimize your content for voice search?

Search engine optimization is constantly evolving, but with the rapid growth in popularity of voice search assistants (and zero signs of slowing down), it is clear that voice search has a definite future in SEO.

Continue Reading: What is Voice Search? And Why Will VEO Be As Important As SEO?

About the Author

Over the past decade, Liz Slyman has worked as a copywriter and digital marketing executive for a multitude of companies from startups to and mid-sized businesses to working as the VP of marketing for award-winning, platinum-selling artists. Leveraging an understanding of the nuance of language in marketing, Liz founded Amplihigher, a content marketing and copywriting agency, designed to connect consumers to companies in a way that results in next-level brand expansion.