Story Based Question
Imagine you’re running the SEO for an online grocery store, and you’ve noticed that more people are using voice search to find products like “gluten-free bread” or “organic apples near me.” You want to optimize your website for these types of voice search queries but aren’t sure how to find the right keywords. You know that voice searches are different from typed searches, but how do you approach keyword research to make sure your site shows up when someone asks their voice assistant for grocery-related information?
How do you perform keyword research for voice search queries, and what should you focus on to capture these natural, spoken searches?
Exact Answer
To perform keyword research for voice search, focus on long-tail keywords, conversational phrases, question-based queries, and local intent keywords that reflect how people speak naturally.
Explanation
Voice search is distinct from traditional text search because it involves longer, more natural phrases that often reflect conversational speech. This means that your approach to keyword research needs to be a bit different. Here’s how to adapt your keyword research process for voice search:
- Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Voice search queries tend to be long-tail keywords, meaning they are more specific and often involve multiple words. Instead of just searching for “bread,” a voice search might ask, “Where can I find gluten-free bread near me?”- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Answer the Public to find these long-tail keywords that match how people speak. Look for questions or phrases that reflect common queries related to your products.
- Incorporate Conversational Phrases
Voice searches are often more conversational, meaning people will phrase their queries like they’re talking to someone, not typing them into a search box.- Focus on natural language in your keyword research. Instead of just “organic apples,” look for phrases like “Where can I buy organic apples near me?” or “What’s the best organic apple brand?” These types of queries are more likely to show up in voice search.
- Target Question-Based Queries
A significant portion of voice searches is based on questions, like “What time does the store close?” or “How can I make gluten-free bread?”- Use question-based keywords (who, what, where, when, how, why) to optimize your content. For instance, “How do I make gluten-free bread at home?” is a voice search query, so you’d want to create content that answers this type of question.
- Consider Local Intent
Many voice searches have local intent, meaning people are asking for information specific to their area, like “Where is the nearest grocery store?” or “Which store has gluten-free bread?”- Local SEO is crucial for voice search. Optimize your website and content with location-based keywords (e.g., “best grocery store in [city name]”). Make sure your Google My Business listing is up to date and includes your business hours, location, and relevant keywords for local searches.
- Analyze Search Query Data
Use tools like Google Search Console and Google Trends to look at what people are searching for, especially voice queries. This will give you insight into the types of phrases and questions users are asking about your business.- By analyzing the queries that are already bringing people to your site, you can find opportunities to optimize for similar voice search keywords.
Example
For your online grocery store, here’s how keyword research for voice search might look:
- Voice search query: “Where can I find gluten-free bread near me?”
- Keyword Research: You’d target long-tail keywords like “gluten-free bread near me,” “buy gluten-free bread in [city name],” or “best gluten-free bread delivery.”
- Voice search query: “What’s the best organic apple brand?”
- Keyword Research: You’d focus on question-based queries like “What’s the best brand of organic apples?” or “Where can I buy organic apples?”
- Voice search query: “What time does the store close today?”
- Keyword Research: You’d target questions like “What time does [store name] close today?” and ensure your hours are visible on your website and Google My Business.