Is your brand being heard? If not, your search results could be suffering.
Consumers are becoming more comfortable conducting a voice search through programs such as Siri and Alexa. This means it’s time you began adapting your content – and your SEO strategy – to accommodate these type of searches.
Today, 40% of adults conduct at least one voice search per day, and that number is on the rise. By 2020, voice searches are expected to account for 50% of all online queries, which is up from
20% in 2016.
There are many reasons as to why consumers are shifting away from text and towards voice search. For instance:
- Voice search is hands-free
- Voice search is easier and faster than typing
- Voice-enabled technology is becoming more accurate
And as these searches use more natural language, voice searches tend to be longer than text-based searches and are often phrased as actual questions – not just a string of keywords. But this technology isn’t only changing the way consumers search for information, it’s also changing the way they receive information.
Often times a virtual assistant such as Amazon’s Alexa will only read out the answer from the most relevant search result, which means if you are second, you might as well be last.
OK, Siri: How do I optimize my site for voice search?
Here are a few things you should consider doing to optimize your SEO:
• Focus your content around a specific question and its answer
• Make sure your site is mobile-friendly
• Ask your customers to leave a review of your product or service
• Complete your Google My Business listing with all relevant information (opening hours, address, phone number, etc.)
The last two points are of particular importance since almost 25% of all voice searches are for local information.
Admittedly, this technology is still developing, but it’s never too early to begin revising your SEO strategy to account for the new ways that people will search for and receive information.
