Some SEO Courses nowadays discuss SEO in voice search. But what is voice SEO and how should it be done?
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is the practice of enhancing the quality and quantity of web content to improve website visibility and to rank high in search engines. There are a variety of SEO courses that are being utilized to improve one’s skills. Statistics show that 64% of marketers are actively investing in SEO, while 61% say that improving SEO is their top marketing priority.
SEO may sound complicated, and you may encounter difficulties; but if you are determined, you can make it work. However, there is a catch. If you think you have gotten the hang of it by studying SEO courses before, you are wrong.
Even if you were able to rank up your content, something new keeps on popping up. You have no choice but to keep up with the pace of these digital marketing advances to prevent your business from falling behind by studying SEO courses again.
Voice search is one of the SEO courses topics that is eyed as a game-changer in 2020. Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices have utilized the use of voice for assisting users. Even in the online marketing world, voice search is being widely incorporated in web browsing to enhance faster and more effective search results. It is also one of the hottest SEO courses today.
What is voice search?
Voice search, as the name implies, is a feature that enables you to browse websites using your voice. The use of voice for activating devices have been around for years now. Studies by PWC in 2019 have shown that 65% of people aged 25 to 49 use the voice-enabling feature of their devices at least once a day. According to Google, 41% of adults and 55% of teens use voice search daily.
Furthermore, 20% of all Google mobile queries are made using a voice search. The use of voice search is not only limited to mobile use. Voice search has also been utilized in the Windows 10 desktop, as 25% of searches are now being done using this operating system using voice.
Voice search keeps on growing over the years. From voice-activated smart devices to online marketing, the use of voice is utilized appropriately, and many users appreciate this kind of technological advancement.
This appreciation is because of three reasons. First, it is faster just to voice out your search rather than typing it. Second, it is mainly for mobile devices. Third, it is more convenient since you don’t have to go through the hassles of typing.
Voice search SEO
With the above-mentioned factors that affect voice search, SEO is also affected. Voice search brought a change in different methods of searching. These changes include how people search, where they seek, and how they get search results. Below is a breakdown of how voice search brought a change in these aspects, a reason why we have to study voice search SEO.
How people search?
The main game-changer on how people search is that in voice search, searching is more extended and more conversational. Traditionally, when you are searching for something, you probably just make it short. If you want to know the list of holidays in Canada for the year 2020, you will just simply type this in the Google search bar: “Canada 2020 holidays.”
But with voice search, it is like talking to another person. You will use your natural human language and ask Google: “When are the holidays in Canada for 2020?” Because of this, there is a significant impact on keyword research in SEO.
Where people search?
In the past two years, Google reported that “near me now” searches have increased to over 150%. With its convenience, voice search is now being used very often and in many public places. Years ago, you had to go to places with Wi-Fi connection, but today you can simply search with LTE.
Voice search also made searching for places near you easier. For example, if it is your first-time visiting Vancouver and you are craving for pizza, you will type this in the Google search bar: “Pizza parlour Vancouver”. But thanks to LTE, location technology, and voice search, you will just simply say: “Where is the nearest pizza parlour that is open right now?”
How people get search results?
Google is becoming more like an answer engine than a search engine. Back then, you need to type out your question, and you will be given ten different links answering your query. But today, the answer is shown right in front of you in the search results.
With voice search, Google just reads the content of the featured snippet for you. How does this affect SEO? The content must be made with a new goal in mind. It should give direct answers to those asking questions. Otherwise, it will be challenging to show your content to people.
Voice search key insights
According to research made by Gartner and ComScore, in 2020, about 30% of web browsing actions will become screen-less. Furthermore, 50% of web browsing will be made through voice search.
Other vital insights of voice search include information about ranking criteria, top local search, and content for voice. These key insights show the importance of voice search to be incorporated with SEO courses.
Ranking criteria
According to Backlinko, taking a look at Google Home provides specific criteria that boost a website’s ranking when it comes to the application of the SEO courses of voice search.
These criteria include:
- Page Speed. The average time of displaying loads of SERP (Search Engine Results Page) through voice search is less than 4.7 seconds.
- About 70% of Google Home pages are formatted with HTTPs.
- The sentences are concise, having about 28 words for typical search results.
- The average search results are easy to understand, which are shown at a 9th-grade reading level.
- Featured Snippet. About 40% of the full search results are from featured snippets.
- Domain Authority. In the voice search algorithm, domain authority is prioritized more than page authority.
Top local search
Studies about the use of voice search for web browsing has shown that:
- 54% of people have used it for reservations on food and drink.
- 46% of people have used it for inquiring product prices.
- 40% of people have used it for checking the availability of specific products.
- 30% of people have used it for booking beauty appointments.
Content optimization for voice search
The following are some insights to be applied to optimize content voice search for SEO courses.
- Simplify language structure. In the voice search, remember that it is about being natural and conversational.
- Focus on long-tail keywords before long keywords are avoided because very few people search for them. However, with voice search, the average keyword length keeps getting longer and longer.
- Use structured data. Use question keywords and include filler words to them. Because using voice search is conversational, the use of question keywords is not omitted.
- Reflect on FAQs (Frequently asks questions). Include short and concise answers. These should directly answer questions.
- Optimize featured snippets. Google Home and Alexa have a role in giving only one answer, which is featured on snippets. Ranking on featured snippets makes it possible for your content to be visible on these devices.
- Ensure mobile-friendliness. We can say that the voice search is mainly utilized on mobile devices due to their convenience.
- Create a Google My Business account. A Google My Business account will not just give you a business listing but also lets you easily connect with customers.
- Knowledge Graph. This is another SERP feature. Optimizing this will make your content more visible to people.
- Strengthen Domain Authority. Many voice search results are just single results, which is why Google wanted to give answers coming from trusted sources only. Let Google feature your site as a source.
