Should I prioritize Voice Search optimization for local SEO in 2023?

All answers to this question.

Voice search is all about conversational language. People speak differently than they type. To win here in 2023, you need to focus on "Question" keywords. Create an extensive FAQ page that uses natural language—think "Where can I find an affordable plumber in Chicago?" rather than just "Plumber Chicago." Technically, your Google Business Profile must be 100% complete with accurate hours, services, and a high volume of recent reviews. Voice assistants often pull the "best" result based on proximity and rating, so those five-star reviews are your biggest ranking factor for voice.

   Answered 2023-11-14 by Melissa Jenkins

Are you also looking at "Local Business" Schema? Adding the specific geo-coordinates and service area markup can help search engines pinpoint the business location for voice queries.

   Answered 2023-11-17 by Brian Miller

• Brian, I haven't implemented the geo-coordinate schema yet, but that’s a brilliant idea. I've mostly focused on the NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across directories. I’ll start adding the JSON-LD schema to the footer of our client sites this week. Do you find that adding the "Speakable" schema property actually helps with Google Assistant, or is it still a bit hit-or-miss for local service businesses? I've heard mixed reviews on its effectiveness outside of news and media sites.

     Commented 2023-11-19 by Christopher Paul

Speed is the most important factor for mobile voice search. If your site doesn't load instantly on a 4G connection, the voice assistant will skip you for a faster-loading competitor.

   Answered 2023-11-22 by Sandra Bullock

• That is a vital point, Sandra. Most voice searches happen on mobile devices on the go. If the site is slow, you've lost the customer before the page even renders.

     Commented 2023-11-24 by Gary Thompson