As copywriters, we work to create compelling yet optimized\ncopy for websites, social media, ads, and more. Now, we need to consider the\neffects of voice search on our writing efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Person](\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/7357\/startup-photos.jpg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=3&h=750&w=1260\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Voice Search?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nVoice search is defined<\/a>\nas \u201cvoice recognition technology which allows people to perform searches by\nspeaking into a device.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, you can ask devices such as your smartphone or\nhome device any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- What year did the United States land on the\nmoon?<\/li>
- Where is the closest grocery store?<\/li>
- What time is sunset?<\/li>
- What movie times are available today?<\/li>
- When does the coffee shop close?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Voice search technology takes your query and runs it through\ndatabases and search engines to find the most accurate answer. Interestingly\nenough, TheeDesign<\/a>\ndiscovered that almost a third of the 3.5 billion searches performed on Google\nevery day are voice searches.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVoice search took off with the invention of Apple\u2019s Siri,\nfollowed by in-home devices such as the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In Q3 of\n2018, smart speaker shipments grew almost 200% YOY\nacross the globe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou may remember Burger King\u2019s,\n\u201cOkay, Google\u201d ad<\/a> which was purposefully designed to activate\nin-home devices and phones. This was prompted by the increasing popularity in\nthese devices, along with their use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Three](\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/1471752\/pexels-photo-1471752.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=750&w=1260\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy Does Voice Search\nMatter for Copywriters?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWith the influx of voice searches and devices, copywriters\nmust shift their thinking and writing tactics to include this new technology.\nOutside of the benefits for brands, altering your writing to incorporate voice\nsearch also improves the customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating Customer\nRelationships Through Voice Search<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoogle<\/a>\nfound that 41% of people who own a voice-activated speaker say it feels like\ntalking to a friend or another person. This is an opportunity for writers to\nforge a relationship between the customer and their brand via searches on these\ndevices.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWork to develop copy that influences users to interact with\ntheir device to find out more about your brand, product, and offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voice Search Leads to\nIncreased Online Sales<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCopywriters also seek to improve sales through their\ncaptivating and informational writing. When working on product descriptions,\nblog posts, and other forms of online content, be sure to optimize it for voice\nsearch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study from Edison\nResearch<\/a> found that 22% of U.S. smart speaker owners have\npurchased something using their devices. And, voice search sales are predicted\nto reach $40 billion by 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRethinking SEO<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor years on end, we\u2019ve been told to optimize our content to\nrank on page one of Google. Well, thanks to voice search, this goal has\nchanged. Page one is no longer good enough; now you need to be at the top of\nthe listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With voice search, users aren\u2019t presented with a list of\noptions. Instead, they receive one answer. If your content isn\u2019t optimized to\nbe this sole answer, you\u2019re missing out on the chance to get your brand in\nfront of the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With all this in mind, revitalize your content and\ncopywriting strategy to focus on voice search using these quick tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/914931\/pexels-photo-914931.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=750&w=1260\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n8 Copywriting Tips For\nUsing Voice Search<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nReady to improve your business\u2019 content, website traffic,\nand online sales with voice search? Utilize these quick copywriting tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Focus on Featured Snippets<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs defined by Moz<\/a>,\nFeatured Snippets are \u201cselected search results that are featured on top of\nGoogle’s organic results below the ads in a box.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nSince we know voice technology will deliver a single result\nto devices and phones, creating content to rank as featured snippets are the\nkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To rank your content as a featured snippet, use the\nfollowing quick tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Start with keyword research – Identify\nopportunities, questions, and queries your audience is asking or searching for.<\/li>
- Answer questions – Content that answers a\nquestion succinctly tends to rank as a featured snippet.<\/li>
- Organize your content – Just as you would for\nSEO purposes, structure your content with bullet points, headers, and other\ntypes of formatting for smooth and concise readability.<\/li>
- Consider on-site SEO – Ensure all areas of your\nwebsite and pages are optimized properly so your content stands a greater\nchance of ranking.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Leverage Long-Tail Keywords<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen you search for something online or via voice search,\nwhat types of phrases do you use? You don\u2019t simply say \u201cRestaurant\u201d and hope\nGoogle knows what you mean (although chances are, it does!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, we use queries like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- What sushi restaurants are near me?<\/li>
- Where are the best restaurants in NYC?<\/li>
- What\u2019s the best-rated seafood restaurant in the\nUSA?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These are known as long-tail keywords<\/a>\nor phrases. Identify which long-tail keywords your audience searches for and\ncreate content focused around these phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Write in a\nConversational, Personable Tone<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRemember those statistics about people talking to their\ndevices like a friend? (A little strange, but true.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You wouldn\u2019t talk to a friend in a robotic tone, would you?\nInstead, you have a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversation is the basis on which voice technology\nrelies. Therefore, your content needs to read conversationally. Say goodbye to\nthe stiff, corporate mumbo jumbo and just talk to your customers. It\u2019s that\neasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Develop Authoritative Content<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile there\u2019s no quick trick to ranking for voice search or\nsearch engines in general, you should always aim to write valuable content that\nconnects, informs, and captivates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continuing to develop content that educates readers and\npositions your brand as an authority on the topic will prove to Google and\nother search engines that your content is relevant to a user\u2019s query. As you\ncreate more and more authoritative content, your chances of ranking higher\nincrease and thus improve your chances of becoming the selected answer for a\nvoice search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Fill Out Your Google My\nBusiness Listing Entirely<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWith voice-related searches being three times\nmore likely to be local-based than text-related searches<\/a>,\nit\u2019s imperative to have your Google My Business listing completely filled out.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you fail to do so, your listing may not be chosen by the\ndevice or phone. Alternatively, if a voice search does pull up your listing and\nit contains incorrect information, your potential customer will be misled and\nunhappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since these searches are of local intent, double-check that\nyour listing contains the correct address, phone number, and local keywords to\nbest assist the user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Write Answer-Focused Content<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nConsidering users are likely to be using voice search to ask\na question, you should create content containing answers to these queries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start with a robust FAQ page. Answer common customer\nquestions about your products, services, team, location, and other areas of\nyour business. Remember to optimize this content accordingly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, create various forms of content around these\nquestions. Types of content can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Blog posts answering specific questions about\nyour products\/services<\/li>
- Product videos (with optimized descriptions)\ndetailing the answer to a customer question<\/li>
- A FAQ for individual products and services<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Your options are limitless, so long as the content seeks to\nhelp a consumer answer a question!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to include the long-tail keywords most searched for\nby your customers, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Hone in on Local SEO<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA local SEO and voice search marketing strategy go\nhand-in-hand. Since the majority of voice searches have a local intent, it is\nin the best interest of your company to have a solid local SEO plan already in\nplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to a robust Google My Business listing, make\nsure your website contains keywords and information related to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Your address<\/li>
- Your phone number<\/li>
- Service areas<\/li>
- Local organizations and involvement<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can also take your local strategy a step further by\nusing Google\u2019s\nLocal Services ads<\/a> and creating locally-focused blog content<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Drive Sales by\nOptimizing Product Descriptions for Voice Search<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlthough only 5% of consumers currently use voice search for\nshopping, MoffetNathanson<\/a>\nreported this number could skyrocket to 50% by 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you can ask devices such as your smartphone or\nhome device any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- What year did the United States land on the\nmoon?<\/li>
- Where is the closest grocery store?<\/li>
- What time is sunset?<\/li>
- What movie times are available today?<\/li>
- When does the coffee shop close?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Voice search technology takes your query and runs it through\ndatabases and search engines to find the most accurate answer. Interestingly\nenough, TheeDesign<\/a>\ndiscovered that almost a third of the 3.5 billion searches performed on Google\nevery day are voice searches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voice search took off with the invention of Apple\u2019s Siri,\nfollowed by in-home devices such as the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In Q3 of\n2018, smart speaker shipments grew almost 200% YOY\nacross the globe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may remember Burger King\u2019s,\n\u201cOkay, Google\u201d ad<\/a> which was purposefully designed to activate\nin-home devices and phones. This was prompted by the increasing popularity in\nthese devices, along with their use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy Does Voice Search\nMatter for Copywriters?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With the influx of voice searches and devices, copywriters\nmust shift their thinking and writing tactics to include this new technology.\nOutside of the benefits for brands, altering your writing to incorporate voice\nsearch also improves the customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating Customer\nRelationships Through Voice Search<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google<\/a>\nfound that 41% of people who own a voice-activated speaker say it feels like\ntalking to a friend or another person. This is an opportunity for writers to\nforge a relationship between the customer and their brand via searches on these\ndevices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work to develop copy that influences users to interact with\ntheir device to find out more about your brand, product, and offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voice Search Leads to\nIncreased Online Sales<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Copywriters also seek to improve sales through their\ncaptivating and informational writing. When working on product descriptions,\nblog posts, and other forms of online content, be sure to optimize it for voice\nsearch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study from Edison\nResearch<\/a> found that 22% of U.S. smart speaker owners have\npurchased something using their devices. And, voice search sales are predicted\nto reach $40 billion by 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rethinking SEO<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For years on end, we\u2019ve been told to optimize our content to\nrank on page one of Google. Well, thanks to voice search, this goal has\nchanged. Page one is no longer good enough; now you need to be at the top of\nthe listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With voice search, users aren\u2019t presented with a list of\noptions. Instead, they receive one answer. If your content isn\u2019t optimized to\nbe this sole answer, you\u2019re missing out on the chance to get your brand in\nfront of the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With all this in mind, revitalize your content and\ncopywriting strategy to focus on voice search using these quick tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n8 Copywriting Tips For\nUsing Voice Search<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ready to improve your business\u2019 content, website traffic,\nand online sales with voice search? Utilize these quick copywriting tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Focus on Featured Snippets<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As defined by Moz<\/a>,\nFeatured Snippets are \u201cselected search results that are featured on top of\nGoogle’s organic results below the ads in a box.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since we know voice technology will deliver a single result\nto devices and phones, creating content to rank as featured snippets are the\nkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To rank your content as a featured snippet, use the\nfollowing quick tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Start with keyword research – Identify\nopportunities, questions, and queries your audience is asking or searching for.<\/li>
- Answer questions – Content that answers a\nquestion succinctly tends to rank as a featured snippet.<\/li>
- Organize your content – Just as you would for\nSEO purposes, structure your content with bullet points, headers, and other\ntypes of formatting for smooth and concise readability.<\/li>
- Consider on-site SEO – Ensure all areas of your\nwebsite and pages are optimized properly so your content stands a greater\nchance of ranking.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Leverage Long-Tail Keywords<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you search for something online or via voice search,\nwhat types of phrases do you use? You don\u2019t simply say \u201cRestaurant\u201d and hope\nGoogle knows what you mean (although chances are, it does!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, we use queries like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- What sushi restaurants are near me?<\/li>
- Where are the best restaurants in NYC?<\/li>
- What\u2019s the best-rated seafood restaurant in the\nUSA?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These are known as long-tail keywords<\/a>\nor phrases. Identify which long-tail keywords your audience searches for and\ncreate content focused around these phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Write in a\nConversational, Personable Tone<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Remember those statistics about people talking to their\ndevices like a friend? (A little strange, but true.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You wouldn\u2019t talk to a friend in a robotic tone, would you?\nInstead, you have a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversation is the basis on which voice technology\nrelies. Therefore, your content needs to read conversationally. Say goodbye to\nthe stiff, corporate mumbo jumbo and just talk to your customers. It\u2019s that\neasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Develop Authoritative Content<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While there\u2019s no quick trick to ranking for voice search or\nsearch engines in general, you should always aim to write valuable content that\nconnects, informs, and captivates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continuing to develop content that educates readers and\npositions your brand as an authority on the topic will prove to Google and\nother search engines that your content is relevant to a user\u2019s query. As you\ncreate more and more authoritative content, your chances of ranking higher\nincrease and thus improve your chances of becoming the selected answer for a\nvoice search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Fill Out Your Google My\nBusiness Listing Entirely<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With voice-related searches being three times\nmore likely to be local-based than text-related searches<\/a>,\nit\u2019s imperative to have your Google My Business listing completely filled out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you fail to do so, your listing may not be chosen by the\ndevice or phone. Alternatively, if a voice search does pull up your listing and\nit contains incorrect information, your potential customer will be misled and\nunhappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since these searches are of local intent, double-check that\nyour listing contains the correct address, phone number, and local keywords to\nbest assist the user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Write Answer-Focused Content<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Considering users are likely to be using voice search to ask\na question, you should create content containing answers to these queries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start with a robust FAQ page. Answer common customer\nquestions about your products, services, team, location, and other areas of\nyour business. Remember to optimize this content accordingly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, create various forms of content around these\nquestions. Types of content can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Blog posts answering specific questions about\nyour products\/services<\/li>
- Product videos (with optimized descriptions)\ndetailing the answer to a customer question<\/li>
- A FAQ for individual products and services<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Your options are limitless, so long as the content seeks to\nhelp a consumer answer a question!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to include the long-tail keywords most searched for\nby your customers, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Hone in on Local SEO<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A local SEO and voice search marketing strategy go\nhand-in-hand. Since the majority of voice searches have a local intent, it is\nin the best interest of your company to have a solid local SEO plan already in\nplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to a robust Google My Business listing, make\nsure your website contains keywords and information related to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Your address<\/li>
- Your phone number<\/li>
- Service areas<\/li>
- Local organizations and involvement<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can also take your local strategy a step further by\nusing Google\u2019s\nLocal Services ads<\/a> and creating locally-focused blog content<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Drive Sales by\nOptimizing Product Descriptions for Voice Search<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Although only 5% of consumers currently use voice search for\nshopping, MoffetNathanson<\/a>\nreported this number could skyrocket to 50% by 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n