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As technology and the world of online searches continue to evolve, so will search engine optimization (SEO) tactics. It seems that we all have some kind of smart device that has a voice activated assistant like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Because of this development, voice search has emerged as a new and innovative way for users to interact with the web. As more people turn to voice search it is important for businesses to understand this shift in search behaviors and to prepare their websites for the future. This shift is more than just keeping up with trends, it’s about accessibility and about making your website more accessible and visible to users as searches are becoming increasingly spoken, not typed. We’ll explore what SEO is, the differences between voice and text search, why voice search optimization is important, and provide useful tips on how to make sure that your website is ready for this new era of searches.
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization is a culmination of various strategies with the goal of optimizing your website to improve its visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs) which increases its chances of being clicked by potential visitors.. Common SEO strategies include, keyword research, link building, header optimization, and many other methods. When a web user types in a keyword, search engines like Google crawl websites to find the most relevant and authoritative content to show for that search.
SEO has evolved alongside user behavior and technological advancements. In recent years there have been major changes to the SEO landscape. For example, the emergence of mobile first indexing, where Google uses the mobile version of a site for indexing and ranking. Another growing trend has been the rise of zero click searches, this is when users find their answers directly on the search engine results page without clicking on a single result. Now, voice search is growing into the next major trend in SEO. The rise of voice search is transforming SEO as it favors more conversational language which lends itself more towards long tail keywords.
Voice Search vs. Text Search: What’s the Difference?
At the surface level voice search seems like a simple extension of text search. This is not the case, in reality both operate quite differently. When you perform a text search, most of the time you type out a few specific keywords, such as “best steak house Chicago.” When using voice search people tend to be more conversational. This means people use complete questions or phrases like, “What is the best Italian restaurant near me?”
This shift in behavior means that search engines must interpret more than just keywords, now they must also understand the context and intent behind each search query. Voice search questions are often longer and more complex. This changes how websites approach optimizing their content. Voice search searches are typically 76.1% longer than text based questions. This change in search behavior requires businesses to adapt their SEO strategies to accommodate more natural, conversational search phrases.
Voice searches are most often made on the move with mobile devices. This means that they tend to have a stronger local intent. Users are more likely to ask, “Where can I find a good coffee shop around here?” while driving or walking rather than to type out a similar question. Optimizing for voice search requires understanding these nuances in search behavior and making an effort to design your website so that it meets users’ evolving search habits.
The Importance of Voice Search Optimization for SEO
As voice activated devices continue to take up a larger role in our daily routines, the volume of voice searches will only continue to grow. This means that optimizing your website for voice search is becoming no longer optional. Preparing your site for voice search is essential for staying competitive and ensuring your business is visible to users searching using voice assistants.
One of the many benefits of optimizing for voice search is that it helps you capture more traffic from mobile users. More than 55% of consumers use voice search on their smartphones. By optimizing your site for voice searches you can tap into this growing segment of users who prioritize convenience and efficiency in their searches.
Voice search presents businesses with a unique opportunity to stand out in local search results. Voice searches are often gearing towards local results, this means users are looking for services or businesses nearby. By optimizing for voice search you can improve your chances of being recommended by virtual assistants when users ask for a local business. Additionally, local SEO strategies like listing your business on Google My Business and including your location in your content are crucial for voice search success.
Tips for Optimizing for Voice Search
As voice search continues to grow in importance for SEO, businesses must start optimizing their websites to keep up. While traditional SEO strategies will still apply, there are specific steps that you can take to better tailor your site for voice search.
Focus on conversational keywords. Since voice search queries tend to feature more natural and conversational, your website content should reflect this. Utilize long tail keywords, which are more specific and descriptive. Long tail keywords tend to perform better in voice searches. Instead of optimizing for short, general keywords, think about how somebody would phrase their questions when speaking. Creating content that mimics how people talk in real life is essential for voice search SEO.
To perform well for voice searches, it is critical that your website is mobile friendly. Voice searches are most often performed on mobile devices, so having a fast, and responsive site is crucial for ranking well. Google uses mobile first indexing, so your site’s mobile experience should be seamless, with quick load times and easy navigation.
Schema is another critical element for voice search optimization. Also known as structured data markup, schema helps search engines understand the content on your site better. This improves your chances of being featured in rich snippets. Using structured data for local business information, product details, and FAQs can enhance your site’s visibility in voice search results.
One of the most important steps you can take to thrive in the time of voice searches is optimizing for local SEO. This is especially important for businesses with a brick and mortar location. Voice searches are often made with strong local intent, so make sure your content includes relevant local keywords and your business information is up to date.
Voice search users expect fast, direct answers, so your site should be optimized to meet this expectation. Pages should load quickly, navigation should be intuitive, and content should be easy to read and understand. Prioritize answering common questions in a clear and concise way so that your site meets user expectations.
Work With an Expert Technical SEO Agency
At Simple SEO Group we have delivered results driven online marketing and web development services since 2008. We serve clients from small and mid-sized businesses to fortune 1000 companies alike. To date we have helped over 400 brands improve their online presence and grow their business online. Contact us today to learn more about how we can revolutionize your business’s online presence.