Voice Search Optimization

I can’t forget the days when I loved to listen to the Radio. I was not able to see the face of the person behind the radio but his voice was enough to entertain me.

Back then it was not our choice but the only option we had but today the time has changed. 

That time it was not my choice but it was the only option I had. Because we didn't have enough technology. After trying graphics, videos and other technology mankind are again returning to its origin of technology i.e. Voice.

As technology is advancing people are moving towards voice search. The reason being it is easier than typing the whole query. Voice searches are making the lives of people easier. 

We don't even have to be around their smartphones or smart speakers to get the answers to our questions. 

On one hand where it had made the lives of people easier but makes it tougher for the brands and business.

What is Voice Search Optimization ?

It refers to Voice-based search engine optimization. It is important because it entails optimizing your content, location, and brand information to increase your likelihood of powering voice search results. 

There are endless possibilities for voice search technologies. Voice search is emerging as new technology taking over the traditional searches.

At the moment, there are already 45 million voice-assisted devices in use in the United States only, which is increasing exponentially.

Why should you care?

You can come up with statements like it's too early for you to come up with strategies for Voice Search but let me tell you, you are already lagging behind.

By the end of 2020, up to 50% of all search activity will be conducted by voice. Screenless browsing is expected to account for 30% of browsing by 2020. 

In his keynote, Google CEO Sundar Pichai (the one guy I'm a fan of) announced that one-fifth of the queries on Google are voice searches.

Thus, if you have a business then you must have to develop a voice search strategy to incorporate into their digital marketing plans because the voice is changing the way people search for and find brands to interact with.

Voice search is an enormously emerging technology and it will change the way SEO is done. It will help to improve customer experience to drive more traffic to your site and help you stay ahead of the competition

Why is Voice Search becoming popular?

Single most reason behind the popularity of Voice search is the ease that it provides to the users. It is really beneficial for the users that are busy, don't have the time to type their queries on their devices. 

It also improves the user experience by searching the most relevant result for the user to bring a stellar experience and instant gratification every time they search for something.

Voice Search is changing the face of SEO

The difference between voice search and text search is the fact that text search is literal, and voice search is much more informal and conversational.

Searches are longer in case of Voice search.

It completely changes the way SEO works focusing on phrases that guide the search engines to relevant results and making Keyword irrelevant.

It becomes really important for business to do SEO for voice search. The reason being in case of voice search there will be only show the first result if you are searching on a voice device like Alexa.

In the voice search, there is an even smaller window. 

There are only the top three results for mobile and one result for smart speakers. Ranking at the top means everything. According to studies, the first organic search result on Google’s SERP gets up to 35.35% of clicks.

How to optimize the website for voice search?

• Create a Q&A section that provides common questions and answers asked by customers.
• Optimize your website for local SEO. Try using phrases like “near me”.
• Make sure to list your business at different business listing platforms.
• Optimizing the content for personal assistants.
• Write the way that you speak.
• Aim for the featured snippet.
• Implement long-tail keywords.

Today is the high time for you to focus on Voice Searches because the rapid growth this technology is showing is unbelievable. If you don’t want to lose your business and want to be searched then you must include Voice search optimization in this year's Digital Marketing Strategy. Otherwise, in 1-2 year, none of your customers will be able to search your business if you keep continuing the traditional SEO techniques.

Do share your thoughts and opinions about how you are leveraging or planning to implement voice search optimization.