Voice search is actively shaping the future of SEO and changing how SEO techniques are adopted in the mobile age. While Google's most recent mobile update put quite a bit of attention on the importance of mobile optimized pages, it's essential for digital marketers to consider Siri in their 2016 search engine strategies.
The Emerging Trend of Mobile and Voice Search
While Mobilegeddon put new emphasis on the importance of mobile search, many SEO professionals may have missed its effect on voice search. According to a study from Northstar Research, 55 percent of teenagers are using voice search every day, and 56 percent of adults use it because it helps them feel more "tech-savvy."
Said simply, speaking is a lot easier and more efficient than typing. Rather than writing out what you have to say, millennials and Generation Z can use Google Now, Cortana and Siri to ask away. Why type when you can talk?
All About Voice Search
According to an official Google blog post from May 2015, "more Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the US and Japan." With 87 percent of the world's population owning a smart phone, 2015 was the year of mobile as more people used their smart phones and tablets instead of the traditional desktop or laptop computer.
As we type away on the commute to and from work, we also speak to Siri and talk to Google Now. If questions can be asked and answers posed directly from search, have we eliminated the need for web pages? We need look no further than Google Answers to answer our question.
According to research, Google is providing a direct answer result on about 19.5 percent of total search engine queries. This figure is up from four percent in the last year alone. And just two years ago, the idea of Google Answers was yet to be seen in search engine results pages. Clearly, Google is intent on delivering quick answers for users on the go.
As an online business owner, SEO company or digital marketer, you should be asking yourself a few questions:
- If users no longer need to click on an actual web page to access information, am I likely to see a decrease in organic search traffic?
How can I deliver the same text based information from my web pages via voice search? Speaking of voice, what is my brand's tone and how do I convey it in as natural language as possible?The age of relying writing for robots and keyword stuffing is over, and in its place comes conversational search queries.
The Importance of Natural Language
When someone searches for something the traditional way we often think about the shortest queries we can enter in order to get better Google results. Not so with voice search. We're much more likely to say to Siri, "Where is the closest coffee shop?" as opposed to typing "Coffee Shop NYC." Voice search answers the "who, what, where, why and how" questions we often ask in natural discourse.
Google has long sought to diminish the relevance of keyword-focused queries. Why? Instead of delivering valuable content, many search marketers try to over-optimize their web pages by stuffing keywords anywhere and everywhere. Now, thanks to our mobile browsing, Google has another reason to refocus on a resolution.
The conversational search queries created by voice search do not (typically) use keywords, so sites that focus on providing real "who, what, where, why and how" answers will outrank their competition.
Act Now and get Voice Search Ready
The good news is, there are a number of actionable steps you can take right now to get your website voice-search ready. These include:
- Implement Long-Tail Keywords: With longer queries originating from voice searchers, you should begin targeting longer tail keywords as well.
Use a FAQ Strategy: What "who, what, where, why and how" questions are your customers asking? Address those answers in your web pages, blog and social media posts. Write Content in a Natural Voice: Not only will your brand sound more conversational, but you'll be speaking the language used by your customers in voice search. While Google does not penalize websites for not being "voice search friendly," the websites that will win in 2016 are incorporating (voice) search strategies for typers and talkers, alike.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.