How to go about optimizing voice search?

Voice Search has been with us longer than you might think. What is its future and does it make sense to focus on Voice Search as part of optimization? You will find out in the article.

History

Google first introduced the first mentions and hints of voice search in 2007 when it launched GOOG-411. The user dialed 800-466-4411 or 877-466-4411 on their phone, used voice input to enter search parameters and their query, and was then provided with the answer to their search query via synthesized voice or text message. The entire process was automated without operator intervention. This service later evolved into Google Voice Search in 2008 and then GOOG-411 was discontinued altogether (2010).

Microsoft’s voice search has undergone a similar evolution, but it has continued to run its BING-411 service alongside Bing Voice Search until today. 

Technology, especially mobile technology, is constantly evolving and offers us new possibilities. Voice search will be a standard feature among future search input options, so we should consider optimizing it.

Theory

Focusing on content is important when optimizing for voice search. Create content or entire sections with a focus on voice.

These sections should contain long-tail terms that have high value despite their lower search rankings. Naturally, in voice search, we enter longer phrases and make requests more specific.

In general, the use of interrogative pronouns in search queries (who, what, when, where, why, how, etc.) is increasing.

Google, on the other hand, said that query preferences differ based on the age of US users who have used voice search and how they use it.

Statistics from the US: How voice search is used most often:

Source:  https://blog.google/products/search/omg-mobile-voice-survey-reveals-teens/

It’s simple. If you plan to visit a coffee shop, search queries can, or rather do, vary. In a standard full-text search, we default to cafes London. Conversely, when using a voice search engine, we are likely to type Where is the best cafe in London? The methods differ in the overall conversational tone, and in voice search we clearly see why to primarily focus on long-tail terms.

Tools such as Collabim or Marketing Miner will help you choose suitable long-tail terms .

Statistics USA: When do we use voice search?

Source:  https://blog.google/products/search/omg-mobile-voice-survey-reveals-teens/

Optimizing Voice Search Step by Step :

• focus on all relevant long-tail phrases in your keyword analysis. Here, try to think about the intentions and needs of your users. Above all, what can they ask about?
• use  markup and structured data on the site  – with the help of the markup system ( Schema Markup ) you will allow search engines to better understand the content of your site. Focus primarily on Speakable Schema .

Sample example for Voice Search structured data:

• create FAQs (frequently asked questions) on your website to help you optimize for voice search.
• speak the customer’s language and set an appropriate conversational tone.
• Use Google Actions to optimize your Android device.
• don’t forget  reviews on Google Local Business  – the importance of customer reviews will increase with the advent of voice search. Especially for companies with local scope, one of the most important criteria will be the sorting of the results. Therefore, try to get as many satisfied customers as possible to write a review and leave a rating. Always respond to these reviews.
• be mobile-friendly  – ​​mobile-friendliness of your website is a necessary condition for voice search optimization. This factor can be expected to have a direct effect on the ranking of websites in search results.

Voice searching via voice assistants is on the rise

Today, you can order a ride via Uber or food via Wolt using your voice assistant. These devices are getting smarter and quickly integrate transaction services of other third parties, such as Pandora, OpenTable, Spotify, WhatsApp, Ticketmaster, etc.

Among the currently most widespread voice assistants are:

• Google –  Google Voice Search
• Apple –  Siri
• Microsoft –  Cortana
• Amazon –  Alexa
• Samsung –  Viv

Conclusion

Voice search is definitely something we need to consider in the future, even though it is still in its infancy. In the world like the USA, voice search is already overtaking standard search and a similar trend can be expected here. We recommend to include it in your optimization plan now, and be prepared for changes in the way users search for information.

Article originally posted by Effectix as “Jak přistoupit k optimalizaci hlasového vyhledávání?“