Ok, Google, how do I optimize for voice search?

While voice search has been a hot topic in the digital space for the past couple of years, it actually shouldn’t alter the way we optimize a website too significantly.

A successful optimization strategy doesn’t actually target exact keywords; rather, it targets the intent behind a keyword. For example, we shouldn’t need to optimize one page of content for “how to fix a toilet” and then build another page for “diy toilet repair” because the intent behind both keywords is the same. One piece of content that addresses the topic would target both keywords.

How is this relevant to voice search?

As John Mueller, a Webmaster Trend Analyst with Google, puts it: voice search is “essentially just a matter of entering the keywords in a different way.”

Ultimately, the methodology behind optimizing for voice search should be the same as the methodology behind gaining visibility on any other platform. Regardless of the exact words or phrases that a searcher is using to accomplish a certain goal, their needs are the same – and your content should reflect that.

Don't get too caught up on voice search; focus on providing your users with unparalleled experiences and content that gives them what they're looking for regardless of how they look for it.