Voice Search And The Future Of SEO Marketing
Voice search has quickly become more and more universal. From smart speakers to smart phones, nearly everyone has the capability of performing a voice search. This function can have a profound effect on your search engine optimization strategy and how you market your business. And if you look at some of the statistics, it’s clear that voice search optimization is only going to become a more important part of any marketing plan.
The Basics of Voice Searching
To begin with, what exactly is voice searching? The answer may seem simple enough. Using a smart device, a user can simply speak what they want to search for out loud and the virtual assistant connected to their device will return the query with a list of results found on the web.
How this works, in practice, is very similar to how any other web browser or search engine collects and delivers data to a user. Only instead of responding to typed out commands, it turns the user’s voice into a searchable query by digitizing the user’s voice, conducting an analysis of the query and returning the results gathered from its search. A process that has come a long way and some people are even using voice search to find samples in songs.
A Conversation with Voice SEO
Voice SEO differs significantly from traditional SEO as users of smart devices tend to speak more conversationally than they type. This has an impact on SEO marketing. While SEO keywords that improve visibility typically favor shorter, concise language, voice search SEO favors long-tail keywords. This isn’t a major problem if you follow web design and SEO best practices, but it’s something to consider when building or maintaining your website.
When adding or updating website copy, focus on two things. First, ensure your tone is conversational to match the way voice search users engage. Second, incorporate long-tail keywords and phrases that people are likely to use in voice searches. By doing so, you can optimize your content for voice search and align it with how users interact with their smart devices.
Mobile Optimization and Voice SEO
As voice search is increasingly used on mobile devices, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is crucial. Regularly check your website across different devices as you make updates.
Another important consideration is the use of “near me” in voice searches. Make sure your local SEO is up to date, with accurate details like your address and phone number. Additionally, ensure your Google Business Profile is updated with this information.
Although voice search isn’t new—it dates far back as the 1950s—it’s a key factor in planning marketing strategies. It also aligns with best practices in digital marketing, encouraging innovative approaches as technology evolves.
If you’re looking to improve your SEO marketing skills, we offer courses that can help you stay up to date and refine your strategies.
