![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/WP-Main-man-talking-to-phone.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
When Google makes something a priority, savvy marketers sit up and take notice. Search is one area where Google has been clear<\/a> in its expectations, saying that \u201cvoice is not only helpful \u2014 it\u2019s critical for many people\u2019s daily engagements with technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, PwC research shows that 71% of people<\/a> would rather use voice search to search for something online than typing into the search box. Today, 90% of consumers are familiar with voice-enabled devices, including smart speakers, voice assistants and voice search on smartphones.<\/p>\n How can you incorporate voice into your SEO strategy? In this article, I\u2019ll outline what voice search SEO is, why voice matters to Google (and to you, as a result), how to expand your audience with voice and different ways you can better meet searchers’ needs by optimizing content for voice search.<\/p>\n Voice search is a voice-enabled way of searching or completing a task on the web or in an app. Searchers speak their keyword, phrase, or question into a microphone on their mobile device or to a voice assistant such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa and, depending on the device, may receive results in text or audio format.<\/p>\n Whether speaking to a voice assistant or voice-enabled search engine, you can expect that the algorithm will bring back what it believes is the best answer for the query with special attention given to the fact it was spoken aloud.<\/p>\n Voice search SEO is the optimization of content for voice queries and can include the keywords used, how content is structured, the schema markup to help Google understand its relevance to a voice query and more.<\/p>\n As Google states in its Voice Playbook<\/a>, \u201cMore than a million new internet users come online every day, many of whom wouldn\u2019t be able to interact with technology at all without voice input.\u201d<\/p>\n Ensuring that content is accessible to all of those new users is so important to Google that it\u2019s part of the search engine\u2019s mission statement \u201c… to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, better serving the needs of mobile users who increasingly use voice to search was the driving force behind Google\u2019s introduction of the RankBrain<\/a> machine learning system in 2015. RankBrain helps Google better understand the intent and context of longer, more complex queries (as is often the case with voice search).<\/p>\n Optimizing your content with voice search SEO can dramatically increase your potential audience and help you expand into new markets.<\/p>\n Knowing that accessibility \u2014 specifically, voice \u2014 is such a key priority for Google means it should also be a priority for every website publisher. Voice search is an essential consideration in future-proofing your SEO strategy.<\/p>\n Hopefully, you have a pretty good idea of your customer\u2019s pain points and needs gathered in the processes of product or service development, SEO, PPC and more (like your keyword research<\/a>). Understanding who you are optimizing for and what matters to them is an important first step.<\/p>\n Begin by listing specific questions and voice search queries your prospective customers might use. These are a few great sources for expanding your list and your understanding of voice searcher needs:<\/p>\n Map out your customer journey and identify gaps in content where you aren\u2019t meeting their needs at any stage.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t assume that you\u2019re up against the same competitors in voice search results. Research the competition and available opportunities by asking your queries of different voice assistants and devices.<\/p>\n Remember to query brand terms as well. If you aren\u2019t coming back as the response for queries explicitly seeking information about your company and its products or services, that\u2019s a good place to start optimizing.<\/p>\n You might find that Amazon Alexa, Google Home and speaking directly into Google Search via the mic on your smartphone all bring back different results.<\/p>\n Track your opportunities to target featured snippets and evaluate top-ranking competitors to inform your voice search SEO strategy. Our SEOToolSet\u00ae<\/a> can help with this important competitor research.<\/p>\n Now that you have a solid grasp of who you\u2019re trying to reach and who else is succeeding in voice search, dig into your keyword research to find new opportunities to optimize content.<\/p>\n These tools can help:<\/p>\n See How to Select Keywords \u2014 SEO Guide Step 1<\/a> for more.<\/p>\n Google has identified<\/a> four main types of voice interaction:<\/p>\n Recording is most often used in messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger, while dictation is commonly how users interact with text editors and keyboards.<\/p>\n Commands and conversational interactions are most relevant to the search experience, and, therefore for voice search SEO.<\/p>\n Users give a voice command in Google Search or YouTube Search in order to receive back a relevant set of results. And as Google points out, we tend to be more conversational in our interactions with voice assistants such as Google Assistant or Siri. We use longer phrases or even speak in full sentences.<\/p>\n This means in voice search SEO it\u2019s important to optimize for both:<\/p>\n A Semrush voice search study<\/a> shows that the average text length of answers to voice queries is 41 words.<\/p>\n The same study found that close to 97% of answers returned were from the top 10 results in organic Google Search, and that 70% of voice search answers occupied a SERP feature<\/a> (60% of those being a Featured Snippet<\/a>).<\/p>\n Aim for the top 10 and that coveted featured snippet in \u201cposition zero\u201d by answering the searcher\u2019s question as completely yet succinctly as possible.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the place to show off your robust vocabulary, either. Content readability should rank around a Grade 8 level on the Fleish-Kincaid scale<\/a> for best placement in voice search results.<\/p>\n The importance of experience, expertise, authority and trust in written content is a hot topic and an essential element of voice optimization.<\/p>\n Providing the best possible answer is critical for Google. They aim to nurture and protect searcher trust by providing the highest quality and most trustworthy information.<\/p>\n How do you clarify to Google that your webpage ticks all those boxes? See our Complete Guide to the Basics of Google\u2019s E-E-A-T<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n A clean, accessible site will always perform better in search, with all other things being equal, regardless of the query medium.<\/p>\n Work through our Technical SEO Tips<\/a> for more.<\/p>\n Help Google understand which sections of your webpage are best suited for audio playback on Google Assistant with Speakable schema<\/a>, a type of structured data markup.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve applied the schema to your page, submit it for review<\/a>. This process can take up to five days. Google will let you know if the content meets its guidelines and is eligible for inclusion in Google Assistant results or not.<\/p>\n You can use other types of schema<\/a> to make the topic, information type and structure of other content clear to search engines.<\/p>\n For example, Product markup<\/a> can be used for any product or service, while LocalBusiness markup<\/a> tells search engines about the page\u2019s relevance to local business queries.<\/p>\n Use Google’s testing tools<\/a> to troubleshoot schema markup in published content and code snippets.<\/p>\n We tend to think of voice queries as things we ask Siri, Google, or another voice-activated assistant while needing to be hands-free \u2014 when you\u2019re cooking lunch or driving a car, for example.<\/p>\n But voice search is used by all kinds of people to solve many different types of problems. People who struggle with low literacy, experience visual impairment, type slowly, communicate in complex languages, use lower-end devices lacking a full keyboard and more all benefit from using voice search versus typing in text queries.<\/p>\n In short, no topic, vertical, or business won\u2019t benefit from optimizing for voice search.<\/p>\n Website publishers can help search engines better understand the relevance of content to voice searchers in many different ways. Work through the voice search SEO tips above as you create and deploy new content.<\/p>\n Then, make voice search optimization an integral aspect of your overall SEO strategy and enjoy the additional visibility and traffic it brings.<\/p>\n Interested in implementing voice search SEO into your site? Talk to us<\/a>. We can help.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Voice assistants have transformed how users interact with technology, especially in voice search. As voice search becomes increasingly popular, understanding how voice assistants influence search results and rankings is essential for businesses aiming to maximize online visibility and engagement.<\/p>\n The Rise of Voice Assistants<\/strong><\/p>\n Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant have revolutionized how people perform online tasks and access information. Voice search has become part of everyday life for millions, thanks to smart speakers and devices with voice control features. Search engines have modified their algorithmic processes in response to voice queries; this change affects how content ranks for ranking purposes and how it’s presented to users.<\/p>\n Voice Search and Search Intent<\/strong><\/p>\n One crucial aspect of voice assistants’ influence on search results is understanding search intent. Voice queries are more conversational and natural than traditional text-based searches. Consequently, search engines aim to deliver concise, relevant answers that address users’ questions directly. To optimize for voice search rankings, it’s vital to provide concise and authoritative content that meets the needs of voice search users.<\/p>\n Structured Data and Featured Snippets<\/strong><\/p>\n Voice assistants rely heavily on structured data and featured snippets to answer users’ questions concisely. By leveraging schema markup and optimizing content to be more structured, businesses can increase the likelihood of their content being selected as a featured snippet in voice search results. Achieving a featured snippet position can significantly enhance visibility and brand authority in the voice search landscape.<\/p>\n Voice Assistant Preferences and Brand Visibility<\/strong><\/p>\n Depending on their algorithms and partnerships, different voice assistants may provide varying results for the same voice query. Optimizing content for specific voice assistant preferences can enhance brand visibility and ensure your content is presented to the right audience at the right time. Understanding these preferences and tailoring your voice search optimization strategy can yield valuable competitive advantages.<\/p>\n The Future of Voice Search and Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n As voice search continues to evolve, businesses must stay proactive in adapting their content and SEO strategies to keep up with emerging trends and changes in voice assistant technology. Voice search is expected to play an increasingly significant role in how consumers access information and make purchase decisions. Embracing voice search optimization and providing valuable content that caters to voice assistant preferences will position businesses for success in the voice-driven digital landscape.<\/p>\n Step-by-Step Tips to Transform Your Site for Voice Assistant SEO<\/strong><\/p>\n Find out how to better meet the needs of searchers by utilizing voice search SEO and optimizing content for voice search queries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":196487,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1517,1515,1330,1514,1512,1513,1516],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/a>What Is Voice Search?<\/h2>\n
<\/a>What Is Voice Search SEO?<\/h2>\n
<\/a>9 Tips for Voice Search SEO<\/h2>\n
1. Know Your Audience<\/h3>\n
\n
2. Understand the Voice Search Landscape<\/h3>\n
3. Expand Your Keyword Research with Voice Search In Mind<\/h3>\n
\n
4. Keep in Mind the Various Ways People Use Voice to Interact<\/h3>\n
![\"Four](\"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/voice-seo-buttons.png\")
\n
5. Keep Answers Brief, Direct and Simple<\/h3>\n
6. Demonstrate Your E-E-A-T in Voice-Optimized Content<\/h3>\n
7. Make Sure Technical SEO Issues Aren\u2019t Holding You Back<\/h3>\n
\n
8. Use Speakable and Other Schema Markup<\/h3>\n
9. Remember That Voice is Used for All Types of Queries<\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n
<\/a>FAQ: How do voice assistants influence voice search results and rankings?<\/h3>\n
\n