How Voice Search Optimization will impact your marketing strategies.

THE INTRO

Voice search optimization tactics are becoming a must-have for today's marketers.

As humans continue to want things to be more convenient and efficient, we are turning to products such as Alexa, Google Home and Siri, more and more - using voice search as a way to find what we want online.

In a study done by ComScore, it is predicted that by end of 2022, voice search will account for 50% of all searches. This means more people have those products and are regularly using it.

In order to stay ahead and be prepared for this trend to continue, marketers and brands need to incorporate voice search optimization into their annual marketing strategies.

So, how do you do that exactly?

Voice search optimization is the process of optimizing your website and content to make it easily discoverable by virtual assistants and other voice-controlled devices. This includes things like using natural language, long-tail keywords, and structured data to make it easier for search engines to understand the intent of a query.

THE BREAKDOWN

Use natural language: When people use voice search, they tend to speak in natural language rather than typing in keywords.

”Alexa, order groceries from Wal-Mart. We need eggs, cheese, and bread.”

We search how we speak.

So, make sure your content is written in a conversational tone and uses common phrases and questions that people would actually ask.

In order to find out how people are searching for things, look it up in Google and it will show what’s being searched- see below some of the trending Tik-Tok searches at the beginning of 2023.

Optimize for long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that people might use when searching for something. These types of keywords are more likely to be used in voice search queries, so make sure to include them in your content.

Don’t know what are the best keywords to use? Check out Neil Patels Uber Suggest to get some ideas.

Use structured data: Structured data, also known as schema markup, is a way to provide information about your website to search engines.

Think of the basics: location of your business, contact information, and hours of operation.

By using structured data, you can help search engines understand the context of your website and make it more discoverable by search.

It’s about keeping things easier and more concise for who ever is using the voice tools.

Optimize your local listings: With voice search, many people are looking for nearby businesses.

”Siri, where’s the nearest pub?”

Is something I may or may not say on a regular basis.

Make sure your business is listed on popular directories like Google My Business and Yelp, and that your listings are always up to date and accurate.

Track and analyze your performance: Like any other aspect of your marketing strategy, it's important to track and analyze your voice search performance. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website traffic and see how many of your visitors are using voice search.

Monitor + Evaluate = how much you should be investing in search.

THE CONCLUSION

Voice search optimization is now a vital part of any marketing strategy - regardless of size of business.

By following these tips and incorporating voice search optimization into your annual plan, you can increase your visibility, reach more customers, and stay ahead of competitors as a core search result.