20% of the total search queries are done using voice. Voices search trend has increased to a considerable extent after 2008. Voice searches are not only used in a mobile device but also in the desktop. People also use voice search tool for their smart speaker.
Google also reports that 41% of adults and 55% of teens use voice search daily.
The expanding use of voice search trends predicts that by 2020, the ratio of voice search will be raised to 50% (Comscore).
The prediction may or may not come true, but the proportion of voice search among total search queries are progressively increasing. This is why website and mobile app development companies are now exerting their focus on making their website and app voice search optimized.
The growing number of voice search queries will impact on the traditional method of website content Optimization. Moving ahead to 2020, more and more websites will move their focus to the website optimization for voice search.
There are several important reasons due to which voice search optimization is getting importance from all around.
A major cause of popularity for voice search optimization is that it is faster and easier than the traditional way of search. And, when the search happens faster, the result appears faster too. The quick way to search and results are enticing people to use a voice search tool instead of a typing.
Moreover, a mobile-based search is easier in voice. Most of the mobile users prefer voice search for quick searches.
Another driver of voice search is convenience. Those who use voice search instead of typing, do this because this way they do not have to type the complete query. Typing long queries is difficult, and easier is to say the word aloud.
consequently, Voice search is increasing progressively and hence impacting SEO. This makes website and business owners put more efforts to improve the voice search optimization for their website.
How to optimize your website for the Voice Search?
Due to the increasing popularity of voice searches, websites need to be updated so that it caters to the voice search queries too. The content should be natural, precise and a direct answer to peoples’ concerns. Neglecting this growing concern might leave us behind in the competition to appear in the front search results.
Use Natural Language in Your Content
A pro tip for voice search optimization is to include words that are used in natural language and conversation. When people use voice over typing, they use a more conversational tone instead of a formal way. The language is more natural. To answer the voice queries, write your content in a way that it includes direct and concise answers.
Moreover, voice searches are often inquisitive in nature. For example, “how to baked-potato” instead of “baked potato recipe”. To get such queries answered through your platform, include “Question Keywords” like “how-to” “what is” and “where.” This would help you appear your page in the result of many different voice search queries
Create a FAQ page
To appear in the voice search queries, you can also add a voice search FAQ page. This will cover a good proportion of voice search optimization requirements. And write content in a way that it answers questions. Your answers are good to be of less than 30 words because Google tends to answer voice queries with short answers of about 30 words.
Optimize for “Near Me” Searches:
A considerable share of voice searches covers “near me” searches.make sure you optimize your website for near me searches. If your website serves as a local business, you are required to optimize for “near me” and other terms that users usually use to find a place.
Rank videos in search results:
Google usually appear results of voice searches in videos. Since videos can serve as an alternative for the natural language used in voice searches. Google appears a particular clip from a video that is relevant to the search query. Also, video results are more common for a natural language search query. So, in order to get your website in the top results of voice searches, make sure you include videos in your website.
Avoid Complex Language
I keep mentioning this point repitively because it is worth doing it. Using simple language is an effective strategy to target more audience and provide them with a better understanding. Especially in a voice-based search result, the content needs to be written at a student level. Using simple language thus requires you to avoid complex and fancy words.
Make Your Website Speed Better:
Website speed is better, the faster. However, for voice search optimization make it even faster. The loading speed for a voice search result is around 3.8 times faster than the typed search. Make sure the speed of your website is up to the mark.
Use longer content
Google voice algorithm may not exclusively look for longer content, but apparently, a page with more content has increased chances of corresponding to a voice search query.
Increase Domain Authority
To appear in the top results of voice search queries, increase your Domain Authority. Google is more likely to use your site as a source if you build up your domain authority. This occurs because Google needs a more trusted site to give the answer. So, it inclines towards higher domain authority websites.
Summing Up
It turns out that voice search optimization is the next important challenge for the website to appear on the first page. The upgraded search features in extended languages by Google has made it easier for people to use voice search for their queries. Here you get a new task for upgrading your website more optimized for search engine in 2020.