Story Based Question
Let’s say you run a bakery that specializes in organic, gluten-free pastries. A customer asks their smart speaker, “What are the best gluten-free desserts to try?” Your bakery’s website has tons of delicious recipes, but it isn’t showing up in voice search results. You’ve heard that featured snippets are a key source for voice search answers, but you’re not sure how to rank for them. You wonder, “How do I use featured snippets to rank for voice search queries?”
Exact Answer
To rank for voice search queries, optimize your content for featured snippets by providing clear, concise answers to commonly asked questions, using structured formatting like bullet points, numbered lists, and direct responses.
Explanation
Voice search often pulls information directly from featured snippets, which are short, well-structured answers that appear at the top of search results. If your content is optimized for featured snippets, it increases the chances that your site will be selected for voice search answers. Here’s how you can do it:
- Answer Questions Clearly
- Voice assistants often pull content that directly answers a question. Structure your content so that each page answers a specific question concisely, like “What are the benefits of gluten-free pastries?”
- Use Structured Data
- Organize your content using headings, bullet points, and numbered lists. These formats are favored by Google for featured snippets because they’re easy for the algorithm to digest and display in voice search.
- Target “Question-Based” Keywords
- People tend to ask questions when using voice search. For example, instead of just searching “gluten-free pastries,” they might ask, “What are the best gluten-free desserts to try?” Target these types of long-tail, question-based keywords in your content.
- Write Short, Direct Answers
- Featured snippets often display short answers—usually around 40-50 words. After the direct answer, you can follow up with more details if necessary.
- Optimize for “People Also Ask” Boxes
- Featured snippets sometimes appear in the “People Also Ask” box. If you can rank for these related questions, you increase your chances of being selected for voice search.
Example
Let’s go back to your bakery’s website. You decide to optimize your content for featured snippets to rank for voice search queries. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Identify Common Questions
You research common voice search queries about gluten-free desserts, like “What is the best gluten-free pastry?” - Step 2: Optimize Your Content for Featured Snippets
You create a page with a list titled:
“Top 5 Gluten-Free Desserts You Must Try”
You format it like this:- 1. Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft and gooey with a rich, chocolatey flavor.
- 2. Lemon Pound Cake – A zesty, refreshing treat with a perfectly moist texture.
- Step 3: Provide a Direct Answer at the Top
At the beginning of the page, you answer the question directly:“The best gluten-free desserts include chocolate chip cookies, lemon pound cake, and almond flour brownies. These treats are popular for their flavor and texture, even without gluten.” - Step 4: Add Structured Data
You use schema markup to mark up your dessert list so Google understands it as an organized, easy-to-read list.
A customer asks their voice assistant, “What are the best gluten-free desserts?” The assistant pulls your bakery’s page and reads aloud, “The best gluten-free desserts include chocolate chip cookies, lemon pound cake, and almond flour brownies.”
Optimizing for featured snippets boosts your chances of ranking for voice search queries. Provide clear, concise answers in an organized format to increase your chances of being the source for voice search responses.