Voice Search Optimisation
Voice Search Optimisation refers to the process of ensuring your website appears in the results when users perform internet searches using digital assistants like Siri, Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. With voice search rapidly growing in popularity, businesses need to adapt their SEO strategies to stay competitive.
The Rise of Voice Search
Typing search terms into Google has long been a part of everyday life. According to SEO Tribunal, Google handles 5.6 billion search queries per day. However, by 2020, it was estimated that 50% of all searches would be voice-based.
Digital assistants are revolutionising how we interact with the internet. It’s often faster and more convenient to ask Siri, Alexa or Google Home a question than to type it into a search bar. While the average person types about 40 words per minute, we typically speak at a rate of around 150 words per minute. The convenience of voice search makes it a preferred choice for many.
Voice Search vs Typed Search
The way people interact with search engines changes significantly between voice and typed queries.
Typed Searches
These are typically short and to the point, using 3-4 words. For example:
Typed Search: “Italian restaurant Northampton”
Voice Searches
Voice queries tend to mimic natural speech, often taking the form of full sentences or questions. For instance:
Voice Search: “Where is an Italian restaurant in Northampton?”
Voice searches are often question-oriented, reflecting how people naturally communicate. Understanding this difference is crucial for businesses wanting to optimise their sites for voice searches.
Why Voice Search Optimisation Matters
The AI behind voice-controlled devices is increasingly sophisticated and nuanced, capable of understanding conversational language. Businesses and marketers must ensure their websites cater to both traditional searches and voice-controlled devices by developing a new strategy for voice-focused keywords.
Building Your ‘Voice’ Keyword List
Step 1: Review Existing Keywords
Start by examining your current keyword successes using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Identify the keywords that are already driving traffic to your site and consider how these terms could be transformed into spoken phrases or questions.
Step 2: Develop Longer, Natural Phrases
Voice keywords are often longer and more conversational than standard search terms. For example:
- Traditional Keyword: “Coffee shop near me”
- Voice Search Keyword: “Where can I find a coffee shop nearby?”
Step 3: Use Keyword Research Tools
- Wordtracker’s Scout App: This tool helps identify high-performing keywords, many of which may already be optimised for voice search.
- Answer the Public: This tool generates questions and phrases that users commonly search for, which can be excellent for developing voice-optimised content.
- Google Autocomplete: Start typing a query into Google and note the suggestions that appear. These can provide valuable insight into potential voice search terms.
Step 4: Add Conversational Modifiers
Voice search queries often include conversational modifiers such as:
- What, When, How, Where, Why
- Does, Can, Will, Is
Incorporating these into your keyword list will help capture a wider range of voice-based searches.
Refining Your Keywords
Remove Negative Keywords
Some keywords or phrases may not align with your brand or audience’s intent. Filter these out during your research phase to ensure your optimisation efforts remain relevant and effective.
Voice Search Optimisation in Practice
Once you’ve identified your voice search keywords, you’ll need to integrate them into your website. Here are some practical ways to do so:
Create Blog Posts
Write articles that answer the questions posed by your voice search keywords. For example:
- Keyword: “How to care for indoor plants”
- Blog Post: “5 Simple Tips for Caring for Indoor Plants”
Develop an FAQ Page
FAQs are naturally aligned with voice search queries, as they directly address common questions users might ask. Optimise your FAQ page by including conversational phrases and detailed answers.
Measuring and Improving Performance
After integrating your voice search keywords, monitor their performance. This takes time, but it’s critical for identifying which phrases resonate with your audience. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console can provide insight into:
- Which keywords are driving traffic.
- How visitors are engaging with your site.
- Which pages are performing best for voice queries.
Refine Your Strategy
Once you’ve identified high-performing keywords, create new content around similar phrases to capture additional traffic and further improve your site’s engagement.
Embrace the Future of Search
Voice search is no longer a novelty – it’s a fundamental part of how users interact with the internet. By optimising for this growing trend, your business can stay ahead of the curve, attract more visitors and improve your search engine rankings.
If you need support developing or refining your Voice Search Optimisation strategy, our team at The Last Hurdle can help. Contact us today on 01604 654545 or email hello@thelasthurdle.co.uk to get started.
