When it comes to optimizing your business for voice search, there are a lot of different strategies you can use. One of the most effective ways to boost visibility and credibility in the eyes of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa is by building a strong portfolio of local citations.
Local citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (referred to as NAP) on other websites. These come from directories like Yelp and Google My Business, as well as other local-focused sites like chamber of commerce listings or local news outlets.
The key to understanding the power of local citations is to realize that voice assistants like Siri and Alexa rely on structured data to understand and interpret search queries. This is why it’s so important to make sure that your business’s NAP information is accurate, consistent, and listed on as many relevant sites as possible.
When a voice assistant receives a search query, it looks for structured data that matches the user’s search terms. If your business has a lot of local citations, it is more likely to come up in search results, giving customers a better chance to find you.
Another benefit of local citations is that they help to boost your business’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). The more sites that link to your business’s website, the higher your website will rank in search results. This is especially important when it comes to voice search, as the majority of voice search queries are local in nature.
But building a strong portfolio of local citations is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and updating to ensure that your business’s information stays accurate and up-to-date.
To help you get started, here are a few tips for building and maintaining local citations:
· Claim your business on popular directories like Yelp, Google Business Profile, and Bing Places
· Make sure your business’s NAP information is accurate and consistent across all citations
· Check your citations for accuracy and completeness
· Keep your business’s website and social media profiles updated with the latest information
· Encourage customers to leave reviews on sites like Yelp and Google Business Profile
In conclusion, local citations are a powerful tool for boosting your visibility and credibility in the eyes of voice assistants and search engines. By building and maintaining a strong portfolio of local citations, you can give your business the best chance of being found by potential customers through voice search. So, don’t waste time, start optimizing your business for voice search today!