Voice search is still on the rise. Voice search is gradually becoming popular due to the daily usage of smart phones and smart speakers such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant. This shift to voice search brings some a new set of opportunities as well as challenges in SEO. To sum up, brands that focus on voice search now will be able to reap the benefits in the future as voice search is set to revolutionize the search process.
First off, let us define Voice Search SEO.
Voice search SEO is the process of optimizing content for voice queries and voice search results. This includes creating content and associated metadata and structured data to assist your brand to perform better for voice searches that are relevant. The ultimate aim here is to ensure that when individuals use their voices to search for things on the internet your brand should come up and be relevant.
Voice search queries are fundamentally different than written keywords, so they require a different SEO approach:Voice search queries are fundamentally different than written keywords, so they require a different SEO approach:
– They are also more like flowing questions which are more than a few words.
– They tend to rely more on natural language processing and context.
– It is also important to note that the ranking factors may transition from the current priority to pay more attention to semantic search and structured data.
Therefore, voice search optimization is not just about keyword research and SEO techniques as are adopted traditionally. It means preparing your brand for how people are beginning to look now and will continue to look in the future.
Distinctions from Text Search SEO
There are a few key areas where optimizing for voice search differs from optimizing for text search:There are a few key areas where optimizing for voice search differs from optimizing for text search:
Conversational Keywords
Perform qualitative research to find out what actual questions and commands people ask and give to their voice assistants. Such longer questions that look more like a conversation are far from simple text keywords. Determine which of these key questions should be adapted in the study.
Optimized Content & Metadata
Focus on the content of the page to include questions that people might ask about the topic. This way, search algorithms will understand that your content answers many queries in natural language and with the use of synonyms and related phrases.
Structured Data
It was noticed that structured data markup (schema.org) has become even more important. It can help voice assistants to answer questions using data from content without the need to provide lists of links.
Site Architecture
Voice search does not provide the screen results, it gives a single answer to your question. Therefore, site architecture should be centred on categorical pages and helpful answers to queries.
Multimedia Content
Voice search results can include playable multimedia content, such as video or podcast snippets. Title, transcript and metadata optimization facilitates access to multimedia.
Local SEO & Pronunciation of Place Names
The local business information and phonetic brand names might be highlighted to help deal with geo-voice queries.
Omnichannel Presence
The use of voice assistants is not limited to text search, as it combines information from SERP, maps, knowledge panels, and websites. An omnichannel presence enhances the visibility of an organization or business.
As this shows, succeeding in voice search SEO entails moving beyond simple keyword targeting to revolutionize discoverability as a whole.
Important Voice Search Optimization Techniques
Here are some key tips for optimizing for voice search:Here are some key tips for optimizing for voice search:
1. Opt for conversational long-tail keywords that match questions which users may pose to a voice assistant in your field. In this method, researchers are supposed to utilize Google Trends data, forums, and voice search query tools.
2. While certain keywords may be more effective to target, it is better to enrich pages and meta tags with phrases that will cover all aspects of the conversational question. Integrate related questions and phrases into the content as often as possible.
3. For your business and products you need to use structured markup also known as schema.org so that the voice search questions can be answered directly. Test the markup using the structured data testing tool.
4. Enhance the architecture to create categorical pages based on the type of questions and quick answers that the voice assistant can read aloud.
5. Produce generalmedia in the form of videos and podcasts with transcripts and tags so that target clips can be retrieved in voice searches.
6. For local businesses especially, accentuate correct name, address and phone number on the web listings to ensure voice results are correct.
7. Expand the search, maps knowledge panel, website, and voice platform skills to achieve better visibility across the channels.
8. It is ideal to analyze the voice search query data of Google Search Console alongside data from Google Analytics on an ongoing basis for optimization of the campaigns.
Voice search is likely to become a norm in the near future as more consumers consider voice assistants as their go-to search tool; brands that have optimized for voice search now will have the advantage.
Voice Search Engine Optimization: The Future
Voice search is still typed in as text in many cases today. However as the voice technology and the AI natural language processing advances, voice is ever so slowly becoming the consumers’ choice of search. In other words, it is high time that brands focused on the concept of voice search optimization for better results in the future.
Even Google themselves have stated that the future of the search is indeed voice. According to ComScore, for the year 2020, about 50% of all the searches being made will be through voice. With smart speakers and voice commands being integrated with various platforms, voice search will revolutionalize how users search for information on products, how they gather information about products and how they make their purchases.
Voice search is not a new phenomenon, and companies that act now, audit voice search visibility, address architecture problems, claim knowledge panel listings, and optimize content for conversational questions will outcompete their competitors. Voice search optimization is crucial to adapt for the future mass adoption that we can expect to witness in the following years.
Conclusion
Hence, voice search SEO focused on conversational long tail keywords, natural language optimization, and schema markup is critical to achieve visibility. Voice is revolutionizing the search environment and the buying pattern in the ecommerce industry. Brands need to consider voice search as a part of general search engine, and omnichannel marketing practices to ensure they are visible in the future. Despite the fact the late majority adoption is still on the horizon, it’s important to focus on voice search SEO today to set brands on the right strategic course to capture the voice search opportunity of tomorrow.
