Voice search is here to stay, and ignoring it in your 2018 SEO strategy is a mistake you can’t afford. Act now!

In 2017, there were 33 million voice search devices in use globally, with 40% of adults relying on them daily. Google’s voice search tool alone processed 35 times more queries in 2016 than when it debuted in 2008. With Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana at our fingertips, asking our smartphones questions has become second nature. This trend extends to our homes with devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home gaining popularity worldwide. ComScore has predicted predict that by 2020, voice searches will account for half of all searches; additionally, 30% of searches will be entirely screenless. What implications does this hold for SEO? Let’s delve into four ways to optimize your website for higher rankings in voice search results.

1. Target Featured Snippets

Currently, Google Home and Google Assistant prioritize reading featured snippets in response to voice searches. This makes aiming for the coveted “position zero” a strategic move. While no guaranteed formula exists for securing this top spot, plenty of research has been conducted to decode the process. Consider these guidelines when creating content:

• Address Specific Questions: Leverage Answer the Public to identify frequently asked questions within your chosen topic and use them as a framework for your content. Structure your content with the question as an H2 heading, followed by a direct answer in the body text.
• Provide Concise Answers: Avoid using complex jargon that might confuse your audience. Google favors clear, easily understandable answers. Presenting answers as lists has proven particularly effective for featured snippets.
• Craft Engaging and Interesting Content: 99.58% of featured snippets originate from pages that already rank within the top 10. It goes without saying that your page needs to be well-optimized: your content should be captivating, your meta-data optimized, and your internal and external link-building strategy robust. Remember: Voice searches tend to be more conversational than typed ones. Reflect this in your tone of voice to boost your ranking potential.

2. Enhance Your Local SEO

39% of voice search users often revolve around finding local business information; making it more crucial than ever to optimize your local SEO.

Ensure your Google My Business page is current, displaying accurate address, contact details, and business hours. After all, when someone asks “where’s the closest hairdresser,” you want to be the top result (assuming you are indeed a hairdresser!). Similarly, if someone inquires about your store’s closing time, providing them with correct information is crucial to avoid misinformation and potential lost sales. Additional ways to optimize for local searches include building positive online reviews and using structured data markup (Schema).

3. Improve Your Website Speed

Voice search predominantly takes place on mobile devices, making a mobile-optimized website non-negotiable. Without it, users will quickly leave your site, negatively impacting your rankings. A page that takes five seconds to load is 90% more likely to suffer from bounce backs, compared to a page that loads in a mere second. Google observed that bounce rates on mobile are 9.56% higher compared to desktop users. Mobile users, particularly those using voice search, are often on the move and have limited patience for slow loading times. Unsure about your mobile website’s performance? Utilize Google’s Mobile Friendly Test to assess its standing. For further improvements, consult Google’s PageSpeed Insights, which provides guidance on enhancing your mobile website’s speed.

4. Understand Searcher Intent

Google has mentioned is exploring the inclusion of voice search data within the Search Console. This means separating voice searches from typed queries, much like the existing separation of desktop and mobile search data. The challenge—and the reason for the delay in implementation—lies in the longer and more conversational nature of voice search queries. This often results in low individual query volumes, leading to automatic exclusion by Search Console. While no official announcement or deadline has been set, this development is worth monitoring. Once launched, you’ll gain insights into the voice search queries leading users to your website. This will enable targeted optimizations and further boost your search engine rankings.

Via KCPB

In 2018, dismissing the impact of voice search is not an option. With the market projected to reach $601 million by 2019, neglecting website optimization now translates to missed traffic opportunities in the long run. Seeking more advanced tips? Explore nexus-security’s comprehensive guide on voice search optimization.