Optimize for voice search
With the rise of voice assistants and smart devices, voice search has become an increasingly popular way for people to find information. Businesses in Canada are now recognizing the importance of optimizing their online presence for voice search. By understanding the trends and benefits of voice search optimization, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and reach a wider audience.
Voice search trends
Voice search is no longer a futuristic concept; it is already a significant part of how people search for information online. The adoption of voice search has been growing rapidly in recent years, with the advancements in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. According to a study conducted by comScore, 50% of all searches will be voice-based by 2020.
This trend is expected to continue as more people embrace voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. In Canada, the popularity of voice search is also on the rise. A report by e Marketer predicts that by 2021, there will be 9.6 million voice assistant users in Canada. This presents a huge opportunity for businesses to optimize their online content and improve their visibility in voice search results.
Benefits of voice search
Voice search optimization offers several advantages for businesses in Canada. By optimizing their websites and online presence for voice search, businesses can:
Increase website traffic
When a user performs a voice search, they are more likely to receive a single, concise answer rather than a list of search results. This means that if your business's website appears as the featured snippet in voice search results, you have a higher chance of driving traffic to your site. Optimizing your content for voice search can help you capture these featured snippets and increase your website traffic.
Improve local search visibility
Voice search is commonly used for local searches, such as finding nearby restaurants or stores. By optimizing your business's online listings and website for local search, you can improve your visibility in voice search results. This is especially important for businesses in Canada that rely on local customers. Voice search optimization can help you attract more local customers and increase foot traffic to your physical store.
Enhance user experience
Voice search offers a more convenient and hands-free way for users to find information. By optimizing your website for voice search, you can provide a better user experience for your audience. This can lead to higher levels of engagement, longer visit durations, and increased customer satisfaction. By understanding the intent of voice search queries, you can tailor your content to provide the most relevant and helpful information to your audience.
Voice search optimization
Now that we've explored the benefits of voice search optimization, let's delve into some strategies to optimize your business's online presence for voice search:
1. Use long-tail keywords
When optimizing for voice search, it's important to consider how people speak naturally. Voice search queries are often longer and more conversational compared to typed queries. Incorporate long-tail keywords that reflect how people would verbally ask a question or make a request. This will increase the chances of your content appearing in voice search results.
2. Focus on local SEO
As mentioned earlier, voice search is commonly used for local searches. To capture local voice search traffic, ensure that your business's online listings are optimized for local SEO. This includes claiming your business on Google My Business, optimizing your website with location-specific keywords, and getting positive customer reviews.
3. Create structured data markup
Structured data markup helps search engines understand the content on your website more effectively. By adding structured data markup to your website, you can provide context to search engines about the different elements on your site, such as reviews, pricing, and opening hours. This can increase the chances of your content appearing in voice search results.
4. Optimize for featured snippets
Featured snippets are the concise answers that appear at the top of search engine results pages. These snippets are often read aloud by voice assistants when a user performs a voice search. To optimize for featured snippets, create content that directly answers common questions related to your business or industry. This will increase the chances of your content being selected as the featured snippet for voice search queries.
5. Improve website loading speed
Website loading speed is a crucial factor in voice search optimization. Users expect quick and smooth results when performing voice searches. Ensure that your website is optimized for fast loading times to provide a seamless user experience.
6. Optimize for mobile devices
Voice search is predominantly performed on mobile devices. It's essential to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. This includes utilizing a mobile-first design, optimizing your content for mobile screens, and ensuring easy navigation on mobile devices. A mobile-friendly website will help improve your visibility in voice search results.
7. Create conversational content
As voice search becomes more prevalent, it's important to create content that matches the conversational nature of voice queries. Use a natural and conversational tone in your content, addressing common questions and providing helpful information. This will make it easier for search engines to understand and rank your content for voice search queries.
Conclusion
Optimizing for voice search is crucial for businesses in Canada to stay competitive in today's digital landscape. By understanding the trends and benefits of voice search optimization, businesses can effectively reach their audience and improve their online visibility.
Implementing strategies such as using long-tail keywords, focusing on local SEO, creating structured data markup, optimizing for featured snippets, improving website loading speed, optimizing for mobile devices, and creating conversational content can help businesses enhance their voice search presence and drive success. Embracing voice search optimization is not just a trend but a necessity for businesses in Canada looking to thrive in the digital marketing age.
Get into the Benefits of Voice Search Optimisation!What is Voice Search?Voice Search is the Google search that happens when a person speaks into their device and asks for information by using virtual voice assistants like Siri, Bixby or Alexa.
Where, so far, SEO practices have focused on the written word, now, sound – from both the provider of information and the searcher – is being transcribed into search terms.It’s a growing trend that people at home, work, or out driving, looking to make a purchase or enquiry, are increasingly using voice search.
They are often looking to find a store or supplier near their location, or to find out about topics they are interested in.With close to 2.5 billion smart phone users out there, you can see how there are advantages to be had by optimising your site to respond to voice searches.
Why is Voice Search important?While digital marketing allows you to target your niche customer base rather than using a ‘one size fits all’ approach, voice search brings that whole concept into even sharper relief.
Coupled with a best use of Google’s new ‘Local Search’ feature, optimising your site for Voice Search will literally serve to put you on the map.
With 46% of voice search users look for a local business daily, there’s a large market to be tapped into and it is increasing rapidly.
With the introduction of Google Voice Search, the whole world of SEO is in for a whirlwind change to accommodate the differences in search that comes with the voice search feature.
The number of people using smartphones is steadily on the rise.
Just consider the recent influx of voice-enabled devices like Alexa and several other smart refrigerators, smart ovens, etc.
All of these voice-enabled devices are making people grow accustomed to voice searches, which many users find easier than simply typing their query.
How to Include Voice Search Optimization with SEO?
Below are some of the most common and easy ways to take advantage of the voice search features and increase your SEO score.
