![\"Voice](\"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/voice-search-device-800px.jpg\")
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For many brands, optimizing for voice search is uncharted territory. I\u2019m here to give you a high-level overview of what to consider and how to get it done. Start competing for your share of visibility in the growing trend that is voice search. In this article:<\/p>\n
(If you\u2019re new to voice search, it will be useful to review the <\/em>CMO guide to voice search<\/em><\/a>, which includes key definitions and trends. But if you\u2019re ready to learn the next step about how SEO and voice search work together, you\u2019re in the right place.)<\/em><\/p>\n Google once said<\/a> that voice search represented 20% of queries on its app and Android devices. That was 2016. Since then, research suggests that the percentage has grown much higher<\/a>. It\u2019s obvious that this is an area that Google will continue to invest in.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at a couple of ways voice is impacting how the search engine works …<\/p>\n In 2015, Google launched RankBrain, an artificial intelligence system applied to the search results that better understands the meaning of a searcher\u2019s words.<\/p>\n Mobile usage and voice search were primary drivers of this, as voice queries are typically more conversational than typed queries. RankBrain deals well with those longer, unique queries (often three or more words).<\/p>\n The second concept to know is that voice assistants like Google Assistant make decisions for searchers on which result is the most relevant to answer a question. This is unlike the traditional way of letting the searcher choose a result from the search results page.<\/p>\n Voice search could mean more complexity for brands with local brick-and-mortar locations, too.<\/p>\n For example, someone who has a broken water pipe might simply tell their Google Home device \u201cmy plumbing is broken\u201d versus a more traditional voice search like \u201cshow me plumbers near me\u201d or \u201cwho are the best plumbers in my area?\u201d<\/p>\n There are different ways a voice assistant retrieves answers. For example, if it\u2019s on a smart speaker like Google Home, the assistant relies on apps built for the device (via Google Actions) or uses the web.<\/p>\n SEMrush conducted a study<\/a> that looked at the ranking factors for a voice search. Their goals:<\/p>\n Out of the many data points from that study, here are a few to highlight:<\/p>\n From our own experience, it is worth mentioning that the expertise, authority, and trust of the site<\/strong> that the answer is coming from (and the content itself) are vital. Google cannot afford to give the wrong answer to queries as that undermines its reputation and can potentially mislead the user.<\/p>\n Strategically, here are a few things to keep in mind when adapting your SEO strategy to voice search.<\/p>\n Research how someone would search using voice for your brand, product, or service. Remember that voice queries generally take one of two formats:<\/p>\n Create a list of voice searches you believe your audience might use. As a starting point, look at the queries in your Google Search Console for real examples \u2014 chances are good that the longer, more conversational queries came from voice searches.<\/p>\n It can be useful to map these questions to your audience\u2019s journey as they engage with you on different levels. For example, what do people search for during the awareness stage, the consideration stage, and the buying stage?<\/p>\n With your newfound keyword research, try the queries yourself. Search for your brand, products, and services using voice search to find out if and how they show up in the results.<\/p>\n If your website isn\u2019t showing up, your webpages aren\u2019t doing a good job of satisfying the ranking factors for voice search.<\/p>\n You can study things like the ranking factors from the SEMrush study and optimize for them. Check out our SEO checklist<\/a> for a primer on how to optimize for many of those areas.<\/p>\n First, find out which websites are showing up on Page 1 for the voice search queries you want to be found for.<\/p>\n Then analyze the top pages to better understand the logistics of the top-ranking results. You can use software like our SEOToolSet\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> to help you figure this out. And then to help you create content that is on par with the competition, the Bruce Clay SEO WP plugin<\/a> can do competitive research on the fly.<\/p>\n Consider building Actions on Google<\/a> or Amazon Skills<\/a> to insert your brand into more things that your audience is trying to do on their smart speaker.<\/p>\n For many brands, this is a newer concept. However, marketers are beginning to think about how they can adopt this into their programs.<\/p>\n The experience, expertise, authority, and trust<\/a> of your site and its content are vital. Start working to improve E-E-A-T now, or your site will never come up as a voice answer.<\/p>\n In summary, optimizing for voice search is just another way that you can be sure your brand, its products, and its services are there when your audience searches for them. As a growing trend, it\u2019s something to understand and adopt ahead of your competition.<\/p>\n If you need help strategizing a plan forward with your website, we can help. Fill out a quote request<\/a> to start the conversation.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n In an era where voice-activated digital assistants have become ubiquitous, optimizing your online presence for voice search is imperative. To attain a competitive edge, it’s crucial to understand the key ranking factors that determine the success of your content in voice search results.<\/p>\n Voice search systems are designed to understand and respond to human language. Incorporating natural language in your content is paramount. Use conversational phrases and long-tail keywords to align with user queries.<\/p>\n Voice searches predominantly occur on mobile devices. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, with fast loading times and responsive design, to cater to the on-the-go nature of voice search.<\/p>\n Voice searches often include phrases like “near me” or “in my area.” Optimize your local SEO by claiming your Google My Business listing, garnering positive reviews, and providing accurate business information.<\/p>\n Voice assistants frequently source answers from featured snippets. Craft concise, informative snippets that answer common questions related to your niche.<\/p>\n Fast-loading pages and accessible content are favored by voice search algorithms. Compress images, utilize AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), and maintain a user-friendly website structure.<\/p>\n Transitioning between these factors, let’s explore how to implement them effectively in a step-by-step guide for voice search optimization:<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 1: Conduct comprehensive keyword research, focusing on long-tail and conversational phrases.<\/p>\n Step 2: Develop content that naturally incorporates these keywords.<\/p>\n Step 3: Optimize your website for mobile devices.<\/p>\n Step 4: Enhance your local SEO efforts, including geo-specific keywords.<\/p>\n Step 5: Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing.<\/p>\n Step 6: Encourage and manage online reviews.<\/p>\n Step 7: Create concise, informative featured snippets.<\/p>\n Step 8: Ensure your website loads swiftly.<\/p>\n Step 9: Implement image compression and utilize AMP.<\/p>\n Step 10: Prioritize accessibility for all users.<\/p>\n By following these steps and implementing the discussed factors, you can significantly improve your content’s ranking in voice search results.<\/p>\n The world of voice search optimization is dynamic and promising. Staying ahead in this landscape requires a deep understanding of the ranking factors and a commitment to providing valuable, accessible content that caters to the evolving needs of voice search users. Embrace these strategies, and your online presence will thrive in the era of voice-activated technology.<\/p>\n Step-by-Step Procedure for Voice Search Optimization Ranking Factors:<\/strong><\/p>\n Follow these steps meticulously to improve your content’s ranking in voice search results and seize the opportunities presented by voice-activated technology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For many brands, optimizing for voice search is uncharted territory. I\u2019m here to give you a high-level overview of what to consider and how to get it done. Start competing for your share of visibility in the growing trend that is voice search. In this article: How does voice impact search? What are voice search […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":81211,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1894,1232,1893,1330,1895,1892],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<\/a>How Does Voice Impact Search?<\/h2>\n
<\/a>What Are Voice Search Ranking Factors?<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>How Do You Optimize for Voice Search?<\/h2>\n
Know Your Audience<\/h3>\n
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Know the Results<\/h3>\n
Know Your Competition<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Be Seen, Be Known<\/h2>\n
Be Everywhere<\/h3>\n
Be Trusted<\/h3>\n
<\/a>FAQ: What are the key ranking factors in voice search optimization?<\/h3>\n
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