Voice Search in SEO

Likely, you see movies where a computer understands voice commands. Perhaps, you may even wish your devices could do something similar. Well, now they can.

Voice search is an advanced technology that enables users to speak directly into their devices to ask questions or make requests. Likewise, it was becoming an increasingly popular way to search online, as people are using it more often than ever before.

With voice search, you don’t need to type into a search engine; you can speak your query and get results faster than typing could ever provide. But what does this mean for SEO? In this article, you will learn how voice searches work and—

  • Learn about voice search and how it is a convenient alternative to typing queries.
  • Understand how voice search affects SEO and the benefits of optimizing for it.
  • Gain insight into practical strategies for optimizing voice search for their businesses.

What Is Voice Search?

Voice search technology is a revolutionary way to use the internet. Through voice search, you can ask questions or request information and access it quickly. Also, powered by an artificial intelligence (AI) system, voice search recognizes spoken words, processes them, and provides a response.

Google’s voice search is one of the most popular voice search services. As such, it helps users search faster by voice search queries instead of typing them into the traditional search bar.

Besides, Google voice search lets users get more specific with their queries. For example, before, you would perhaps search for “hiking trails in Arizona.” Yet now, you could say, “OK, Google. Show me pictures of scenic hiking trails near Phoenix, Arizona.”

This way, you will get a much more detailed set of results tailored to your exact query. Voice search also uses natural language patterns to interpret more complex questions.

Aside from providing more accurate results for users, voice search helps in everyday life. For instance, it can help visually impaired people with difficulty typing. Lastly, it is helpful for those who cannot read.

How Does Voice Search Affect SEO?

Quickly, voice search is becoming a dominant way of searching online. Hence, marketers must adapt their SEO strategies to optimize for this search type.

Below are some ways voice search is impacting the world of SEO:

Affected AreasReasons
Long-tail KeywordsVoice search requires marketers to think more critically about their keyword strategy. Likewise, focus more on long-tail keywords instead of short phrases. As such, people will be more likely to use natural language when speaking on a device. So, marketers should expand their keyword research to include longer phrases.
Local FocusPeople who use voice search tend to seek local businesses relevant to their location. Ergo, businesses with a local presence need to optimize for location-based keywords. Also, include info about your business across all directories, like Google maps.
Structured DataAdding structured data improve click-through rates. As such, it lets your content appear as rich snippets in the SERP. This can help customers find what they need faster and could result in improved rankings.
Mobile Devices Search Engine OptimizationMobile phone searches are becoming prevalent amongst voice searchers. Optimizing a mobile website will help improve your chances of showing up in top results.
Semantic RichnessWriting with more details, facts, and higher semantic richness can help your content stand out. Also, providing more detailed answers to user queries results in better ranking.

The Benefits of Voice Search for SEO

Here are some benefits of voice search for SEO:

  • Improved Accuracy. Voice search utilizes speech recognition technology. As such, this voice recognition technology enables users to search keywords accurately. From that, it ensures that it results in more relevant search results.
  • Increased Visibility. Google voice search often returns fewer results than text-based queries. This way, you will gain visibility with less competition for specific keywords. SEOLeverage™️ can also help you identify those opportunities and create content around them.
  • Greater Reach. Most devices support multiple languages. Using voice search across various markets can expand your reach if you optimize your content correctly.
  • Quicker Searches. Because voice searches are much faster, users can ask more questions in less time. From that, it can lead to more clicks and conversions on your site. But for it to happen, you must optimize correctly. As such, you can seek help with SEOLeverage™️’s consultation.
  • Hands-Free Accessibility. Users no longer need to type out every keyword on their android devices. Hence, it is easier and faster for them to find what they want.
  • Multilingual Support. Many voice assistants support up to five languages, which Google search app users can choose from. This way, they give brands access to potential customers worldwide. SEOLeverage™️ offers content uploads and edits optimized for other languages to ensure you take full advantage of multilingual support.
  • Local Search Optimization. Google search typically includes local qualifiers such as “near me” or “close by.” And this makes them great opportunities for local businesses looking to increase site traffic.

How To Optimize Voice Search?

To ensure a successful voice search result, you must—

  • Target Question Keywords. By knowing the phrases consumers use when searching for answers, you can create content that matches what they are asking for. Plus, you can capture more of the search market by including other long-tail phrases. SEOLeverage™️ can assist you with keyword research to identify high-traffic keywords that best fit your business.
  • Use Conversational Language in Your Content. Google voice search requires an understanding of natural language. So, you must write your content conversationally.
  • Prioritize Local SEO. As local searches become more popular, optimizing your website with local SEO gives it higher visibility. SEOLeverage™️’s SEO Site Audit will help provide insights on how to maximize your SEO strategy better.
  • Try To Capture Google Featured Snippets. Google featured snippets provide quick answers to questions without the user clicking on a result page link. Through on-page optimization, you can increase engagement while boosting organic traffic.
  • Link Building. Quality backlinks from relevant sources help boost authority. Plus, they improve visibility in voice search results pages (SERPs). As such, SEOLeverage™️’s specialized link-building service will help you gain authoritative, trustworthy links.

Conclusion

As voice recognition tech grows in popularity, you need to understand how it works and how it can affect your SEO strategy. By understanding the nuances of voice search, such as the importance of long-tail keywords and local optimization, you’ll have the edge over competitors.

So with the right strategy in place, you can ensure that your business shows up at the top of results when someone speaks their query aloud into their device. Likewise, contact SEOLeverage™️ for further support.