Voice search is taking over. 20% of Google searches are conducted by voice search.

What does this mean for you, as a business? If you are trying to attract your local consumers, your local SEO strategy has to be optimized for voice search.

The way we type is different than the way we speak. You have to alter your keywords and content to be optimized for speech. How do you do this? Read these 4 local SEO tips about voice search.

1. Optimize Questions

When people use voice search, they’re more than likely asking a question. This is why your content should be informational and responsive — i.e. your content should provide the answer to a question.

Just because your content is informational doesn’t mean it should directly answer the question.

For example, let’s say you own a restaurant and someone asks Google for restaurants near them. Since you optimized your content for questions, your restaurant will appear on the search.

There are three main types of content:

• Navigational (store location, etc.)
• Informational (how-to, etc.)
• Transactional (product information, etc.)

All of these content types can serve as the answer to a question.

2. Optimize Long-Tail Keywords

In addition to questions, people likely say phrases as a Google search. These are specific keywords called “long-tail keywords.” Instead of one simple word, these keywords are longer phrases and even full sentences.

When conducting keyword research, target long-tail keywords that have impressive traffic with low competition and low difficulty.

How do you use these keywords? Great examples include in your blogs and your product/service copy.

3. Structure Your Data

The modern consumer is becoming more impatient. When they ask a question into Google, they want an immediate answer.

Let’s say you own an escape room.

If the customer is looking for escape rooms, they want Google to show them the nearest escape room. If they want to know what escape rooms are, they expect the snippet to describe what escape rooms are.

Structure your data. Google will include the latest information in the snippet. They will also include content that’s easy to read and can match your page to the search query.

You can structure your data for Google’s algorithms in a few ways. First, ensure your sitemap is easy to crawl. Write comprehensive metadata for your pages so Google can match the snippet with the search query.

4. Make Your Business Easy to Find

Customers using voice search will likely find local businesses using specific geographical keywords or even the classic “near me” line. Optimize these keywords so Google can find you.

There are other ways to inform Google of your location. Claim your Google listing and include your business address. Include business citations (name, address, phone number) in all website pages.

These Local SEO Tips Will Dominate Voice Search Results

As a local business, you want to ensure you’re attracting local traffic. How do you achieve this with voice search? From optimizing your content to your data, these local SEO tips will also improve your voice search results.