Voice search is a rapidly growing trend in the world of search engine optimization (SEO). With the rise of digital assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Siri, more and more people are using their voices to search the internet.
In this article, we will explore the rise of voice search and its impact on SEO.
What is Voice Search?
Voice search is a technology that allows users to search the internet using their voice. Instead of typing a query into a search engine, users speak their query into a digital assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. The assistant then uses natural language processing (NLP) to understand the user’s query and provide a relevant response.
The Rise of Voice Search
Voice search has seen significant growth in recent years. According to Google, 27% of the global online population is using voice search on mobile. By 2024, it is estimated that there will be 1.8 billion users of digital assistants worldwide.
The rise of voice search can be attributed to the increasing popularity of digital assistants and the convenience of using voice to search for information.
The Impact of Voice Search on SEO
Voice search has a significant impact on SEO. Here are some of the ways in which voice search is changing the SEO landscape:
1. Keyword Phrases are Becoming Longer
When users search using voice, they tend to use longer keyword phrases than when they type a query into a search engine. This is because when users speak, they tend to use more natural language. As a result, businesses need to focus on long-tail keywords to optimize their content for voice search.
2. Featured Snippets are More Important
Featured snippets are boxes that appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) that provide a brief answer to a user’s query. When users search using voice, the digital assistant often reads the featured snippet out loud. As a result, businesses need to focus on creating content that is optimized for featured snippets to increase their chances of appearing in voice search results.
3. Local SEO is More Important
Many voice searches are for local businesses and services. For example, a user might search for “restaurants near me” using voice. As a result, businesses need to focus on local SEO to ensure that they appear in local search results.
4. Conversational Content is Key
When users search using voice, they tend to use more conversational language. As a result, businesses need to focus on creating content that is conversational in nature. This means using natural language, answering questions, and providing detailed information.
Conclusion
Voice search is a rapidly growing trend in the world of SEO. As more and more people use digital assistants to search the internet, businesses need to optimize their content for voice search to remain competitive. To do this, businesses need to focus on long-tail keywords, featured snippets, local SEO, and conversational content. By doing so, businesses can improve their chances of appearing in voice search results and reaching a wider audience.
