The Rise of Voice Search

In the past decade, the use of voice search has seen a significant rise. With the rise of virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, consumers have found it more convenient to use their voice rather than typing on a keyboard. According to a study by comScore, by 2020, 50% of all searches will be voice searches. So, what does this mean for SEO in 2023?

Voice Search and SEO

Voice search is changing the way we interact with search engines. Instead of typing out a query, users are now asking questions using natural language. This means that SEO strategies must adapt to this new way of searching. Here are some ways voice search will be important for SEO in 2023.

Focus on Long-tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are more specific and longer phrases that users use for voice searches. For example, instead of typing “Italian restaurant” into a search engine, a user might say “What are the best Italian restaurants near me?” As such, businesses must focus on optimizing their content for long-tail keywords that are more conversational and natural. By doing so, they can increase their chances of showing up in a voice search.

Featured Snippets

Featured snippets are short paragraphs of text that appear at the top of Google’s search results. They are designed to provide users with quick answers to their queries. With voice search, featured snippets are even more important. When a user asks a question, virtual assistants often read out the featured snippet as the answer. This means that businesses must focus on optimizing their content to rank for featured snippets.

Local SEO

Voice search is often used for local searches. Users might ask for directions, store opening hours, or contact information. As such, local SEO is more important than ever. Businesses must ensure that their listings on Google My Business are up-to-date and accurate. They must also focus on building local citations and getting reviews from customers.

The Benefits of Voice Search for SEO

While voice search presents new challenges for SEO, it also presents new opportunities. Here are some benefits of voice search for SEO.

Increased Traffic

Voice search can help businesses attract more traffic to their website. When a user asks a question, virtual assistants often provide a list of websites that might have the answer. By optimizing their content for voice search, businesses can increase their chances of appearing in these lists and attracting more traffic to their website.

Improved User Experience

Voice search provides a more convenient and natural way for users to interact with search engines. Instead of typing out a query, they can simply ask a question using their voice. This makes the user experience faster and more intuitive. By optimizing their content for voice search, businesses can provide a better user experience for their customers.

Increased Engagement

Voice search can also help businesses increase engagement with their customers. By providing quick answers to their queries, businesses can build trust and establish themselves as a reliable source of information. This can lead to increased engagement, more social shares, and ultimately, more conversions.

Conclusion

Voice search is changing the way we interact with search engines. As virtual assistants become more popular, businesses must adapt their SEO strategies to this new way of searching. By focusing on long-tail keywords, optimizing for featured snippets, and improving their local SEO, businesses can increase their chances of appearing in a voice search. The benefits of voice search for SEO include increased traffic, improved user experience, and increased engagement with customers. Overall, voice search will be an important part of SEO in 2023 and beyond.