The Impact of Voice Search on SEO
When most business owners think of search engine optimization (SEO), they usually think about making sure their website shows up the highest in the Google search results. However, would you be surprised to learn that a large number of consumers don’t use Google for searching? It’s true that Google is still one of the most popular online search engines, but voice searching has changed the game. Optimizing your website for voice search SEO in addition to Google SEO can make your website more discoverable than ever.
What Exactly Is Voice Search Optimization?
When people are on the go, they might opt for voice searching instead of typing out their search query. Digital assistants like Alexa (Amazon), Siri (Apple), and Google Assistant are all used by consumers to perform searches online. When you think about it, voice search queries usually sound different compared to text queries. Voice searching is more conversational, which means your website needs to match the tone to boost your voice search SEO.
How Does Voice Search Optimization Impact SEO?
With the popularity of using digital voice assistants rising, it’s a safe bet to say that the trend will continue for years to come. People want to find information quickly and conveniently, so they turn to voice searching to meet those needs. Having the right keywords on your website that target voice searching will become even more essential in the coming years. You should also ensure your website is mobile-friendly so users can navigate it easily when they find it.
Main Benefits of Voice Search SEO
Voice search optimization shouldn’t be your sole focus. Instead, it should be an extension of the traditional SEO strategies you have implemented for your website. When voice assistants share your content, you’ll create more brand awareness, which can lead to more customers. It also portrays you as an authority figure to build trust with consumers. Finally, you’ll provide users with a great experience when interacting with your business website, which they will never forget.
Improve Voice Search SEO By Researching Keywords
So, how can you improve your voice search SEO? Just like with traditional SEO practice, the first step is to research appropriate keywords. Long-tail keywords, conversational keywords, and question keywords are preferred. Think about how a consumer would ask another person about a product or service. They wouldn’t ask for a “restaurant near me.” Instead, they would phrase it like, “What are good restaurants in the area?” This nuance is the difference between text-based searching and voice searching and can make a big difference in your overall SEO.
Optimize Your Website Content
You don’t have to start from scratch to optimize your website content for voice search SEO. Some of your existing blog posts might have great keywords for traditional SEO. You can conduct an audit to determine your strongest keywords and turn them into conversational keywords to boost your voice search optimization. One of the best ways to optimize your website content is to use natural language that average humans use. This method can boost your traditional SEO as well as your voice search SEO and make your website much more discoverable.
How Can You Improve Your Technical SEO?
Technical SEO is a part of traditional SEO that should also be used in voice search optimization. It involves ensuring your website is easy to use from multiple devices and is mobile-friendly. It also means making your website load as fast as possible so consumers can get the information they need quickly. An attractive website design is eye-catching, but it must also be responsive at the same time. These factors involve technical SEO and should not be overlooked when considering your voice search SEO.
Local SEO Is Essential For Small Business Owners
When consumers use voice assistants to search for products or services, they will typically pull information from Yelp, Google Business, and other directories. If you don’t have your business information updated on these directories, chances are your business will not be highlighted in a voice search query. Make sure your information is always current on as many directories as you can update. Utilize local keywords on your website so you can improve your chances of showing up in local search results.
Monitor, Adapt, And Adjust Voice Search Strategies
As with any marketing strategy, you should be willing to adapt and adjust your strategies to optimize performance. Constantly monitor your performance and make adjustments if you don’t reach your goals. There’s no such thing as setting and forgetting any given strategy. The most successful business owners are willing to adjust while keeping their long-term goals in mind at all times. Improving voice search SEO is a process that will continue for as long as you own your business. The quicker you can embrace it, the better off your business will be.
SEO can sound simple on the surface, but once you dig into all the layers, you’ll quickly see how many nuances there are. Our team at iwebcontent can help you simplify your traditional SEO and voice search SEO strategies. Once we understand your business goals, we can develop strategies that align with them. You can be involved as little or as much as you’d like. It starts with a free consultation with our team, so contact us today to get started.
