Voice technology has evolved significantly in recent years, and voice-enabled searches are becoming increasingly prevalent. Digital assistants and voice commands are used not only on mobile devices but also in everyday activities like setting alarms, looking up recipes, and more. While it’s uncertain whether the prediction that 50% of all searches will be voice-based by 2020 will come true, there are compelling reasons for businesses to optimize voice search from an SEO perspective.
What are the top three reasons for taking voice search seriously in SEO strategy?
- Voice-enabled Search is Catching On: Google’s machine learning-backed voice recognition has reached about 95% accuracy, making it versatile and flexible for users who can multitask while obtaining quick and accurate responses.
- Voice Search is Conversational: Users seek quick, simple answers and an integrated user experience for various queries, from ‘near-me’ searches to business information and personalized tips.
- Unrecognized Potential: Although voice-enabled search is an emerging phenomenon, it’s already accounting for a significant portion of Google search queries. With the rapid adoption of voice-activated technology and mobile devices, voice search is expected to grow further.
What steps can businesses take to optimize their online presence for voice search?
Businesses can optimize for voice search through three key steps:
- Effectively Research the Keywords: Understand the semantic differences between typed and voice searches and use SEO tools to research target keywords, including long-tailed keywords for specificity.
- Modify Site Structure and Develop Relevant Content: Consider the user journey, starting with questions like ‘What is,’ ‘Can,’ ‘Who,’ ‘How much,’ ‘Where,’ and ‘Why.’ Organize content into categories such as information, navigation, and transaction.
- Structured Data Optimization: Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console, ensure an easily crawlable site structure, earn content-rich snippets, and use correct schemas for markups.
Optimizing voice searches can boost on-SERP rankings, provide relevant answers to users, and increase traffic to landing pages, giving businesses a competitive edge.
Ready to embrace voice search optimization? Schedule a discovery meeting with SEO Ottawa experts at WSI eStrategies to create a customized voice content strategy and dominate voice search results in your industry.
