Voice search is becoming increasingly popular as technology advances. If voice search optimization isn’t part of your SEO strategy yet, you might be losing traffic from these searches.
What is voice search? And why is it different from written search?
Over the past years, innovations in technology have changed our world and how we move around it. Most sectors and industries are as digitalized as possible to optimize their operations and raise productivity. Nowadays, you see people talking to their watches or using voice assistants like Siri or Alexa not only on their phones, but computers and speakers as well.
Additionally, Covid-19 showed us the world can function supported by technology in cases of crisis. It also changed peoples’ behavior. Personal space is even more important than before, as well as having less contact with surfaces (metro poles, rails,) which includes phones, and time saving. All of which is allowed by voice search.
Voice assistants are software programs based on artificial intelligence, prepared to process voice, and perform certain tasks or answer questions. When such a search is performed, the system can recognize the voice, identify what the user is looking for and offer the most appropriate option. It evolves from voice recognition to voice understanding.
So why is it different from written searches? Firstly, people tend to write different than how they speak, especially when they are searching for something they will more likely shorten it as much as possible. When using voice search, they will talk as if they were talking to another person, using full sentences.
How can you optimize your SEO strategies to voice search?
The most important factor to consider is that because the use of words is different while using voice search, the keywords that will be used will be different. It is important that you establish long tail keywords that will use more words in a sequence. Using conversational keywords that are used to create questions and complete them will show to be helpful, since this is mostly the type of vocabulary used.
Moreover, you need to know your customer and its habits. Characteristics like age, socioeconomical background and devices used fluctuate between customers. 60% of total searches are done by mobile devices, and the number is even higher for voice searches. This number is increasing since voice-enabled technologies are becoming popular amongst younger generations. It is why it’s crucial to have it adapted to this type of device. Google recommends using a responsive system forspeed improvement and optimizing results for local searches.
Finally, you should build a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page that have answers to the main questions that can be asked. Voice searches are usually on easy questions that can provide immediate answers. You can answer them conversationally to match the style of voice search.
Voice search is on the rise, used by many old and new industries to reach more people and used by customers to facilitate their lives. Adjusting your SEO strategy to voice search can help you gain more customers and reach new generations.
Authors:
Maria Helena Atuesta, Rita Gonzalez, Aquilino Perez and Álvaro Jimenez.