Voice Search Seo: All Questions Answered!

In the world of the digital era, where a new innovation has been inventing every second, everyone starts using voice search instead of typing keywords. According to TechCrunch, more than a quarter of US adults now have smart speakers, and that number is expected to keep rising.

Just last year, Google finally reported that its AI-powered Assistant improved its understanding of the English language so much that its error rate is now under 5%.

And, according to Google’s Sundar Pichai,voice-based search has become easy and accessible for the average consumer. As of January 2018, there were an estimated 1 billion voice searches per month, and by 2020 it’s predicted that 50% of searches will be done by voice.

The growing popularity of voice is due to the easy accessibility of digital assistants – they live in our phones, our cars, our watches, and living rooms. It makes searching on the go – and without a keyboard on hand – as easy as talking to the person next to you.

What does Voice search mean?

Google Voice Search or Search by Voice is a Google product that allows users to use Google Search by speaking on a mobile phone or computer, i.e. have the device search for data upon entering information on what to search into the device by speaking. 

Voice search is all about natural language processing, which means an emphasis on long tail keywords.

How can you do a voice search?

In case you can't find the settings, there is another way:

1. Open the Google app.
2. In the top left corner of the page, touch the Menu icon.
3. Tap Settings > Voice > "OK Google“ Detection.
4. From here, you can choose when you want your phone to listen when you say "Ok Google."

Important Factors: Voice Search Optimization

• Speed Continues to Be a Major Factor

 Voice search kicks things up a notch. According to data from Backlinko, the average voice search page loads in about 4.6 seconds, which is half the time of your average webpage.

And while speed has long been a key ranking factor, it’s worth pointing out that any edge you can get on your competitors will help you get closer to that coveted position zero.

Mobile and desktop search results give users a bunch of options at once, while a voice reads up to three results out loud. As such, speeding up your site is one of many differentiators in an increasingly competitive space.

That emphasis on speed has been confirmed by the Google webmasters themselves, who announced back in 2018 that speed will be the most important ranking factor in desktop SERPs & mobile SERPs. And so it continues to be an important factor in voice search.

• Long Form Content Has an Advantage in Voice Search SEO

Despite the fact that voice search gives users short and exact answers to their questions, Backlinko’s report found that the average word count of the featured results was 2,312.

It means that you should continue to embrace long-form content as Google prefers descriptive text.

What is the purpose of long content?

The benefit of a longer word counts is that it gives Google more opportunities to identify an answer to a searcher’s question.

While experts agree that you should keep things short when answering a question, long-form content is one of the best ways to demonstrate your knowledge of a particular subject.

Optimizing for voice search is quite a departure from the old days of search engine optimization. Though, when you think about it, it’s also more straightforward.

• Choose long tail keywords

You might search “Ok, Google, where is the nearest shopping mall that’s open now.” instead of “shopping mall near me open now”

In other words, you’re using long tail search terms that sound more like complete sentences, rather than trying to write copy that naturally weaves in the awkward phrases you’ve found inside the keyword planner.
According to studies, the first result in Google’s organic SERPs gets about 35% of the click share.

With voice search, there are even fewer organic “slots” available. Compared to the ten or so organic listings, plus the rich results box, smart speakers only share one result at a time, while mobile displays three results.
As voice search is taking over... securing the top position is more challenging and more important than ever.

• Optimize Your Business Listings for Local

When it comes to voice search, an immense amount of searches are done for local businesses. In fact, in 2016 the Internet Trends Report found that 22% of voice searches were used to find local content and information.
In order to surface in local voice searches, you’ll need a strategy that prioritizes local SEO.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep your listings clean and consistent is key. Your name, address, and phone (NAP) data should look the same across all directories.

According to a Yext report, over $10 billion is lost each year due to missing or inaccurate listings. And the stakes are even higher with voice search in the mix.

To learn how to do Local SEO watch:

• Show up in Snippets:

Optimize your content according to user intent so that you can take the snippet position.

Also read: https://wurfelit.com/blog/voice-search-seo-techniques-2019/

How I optimize Content for Voice Search?

1. Create content that talks back. 
2. Focus on mobile search. 
3. Add FAQs.
4. Remember, SEO for voice is just SEO.
5. Consider the context. 
6. Identify your long-tail search queries. 
7. Provide true value.

How does Voice search impact on SEO?

Voice search drastically improves user experience – and because of that, by the year 2020, half of all online searches will be made through voice search. Due to its prolific use, search engines such as Google are placing a higher emphasis on voice search optimization.

Reference:

• https://ignitevisibility.com/voice-search-seo/
• neil-patel-blog
• https://wurfelit.com/blog/voice-search-seo-techniques-2019/