How voice search impacts Google Search queries.
Why is Google Voice Search a growing trend?
The way that internet users search their queries and discover businesses is constantly yet subtly evolving. Therefore, search engines have to reflect their browsing behaviours for the optimal user experience and that’s where Google’s Voice Search comes in.
Google designed Voice Search for PC and mobile with user experience in mind and does exactly as the name suggests. Allowing users to use Google Search by speaking on their mobile phone or to their computer, Google Voice Search is a hands-free method of browsing without having to manually open the browser [perfect for multi-taskers].
As busy users increasingly endorse Google Voice Search, it demonstrates the need for businesses to offer convenience and practicality to encourage customer engagement. If a user can navigate your business using Voice Search, that’s a big box ticked.
How does it differ from Google Search?
Aside from the obvious vocal interaction, the primary difference between Google Search and Google Voice Search is the types of queries being asked. Whilst a Google Search query is usually only a couple of words long, a Google Voice Search query tends to be for long-form questions, rather than users manually typing them out in Google Search.
[Hey Google] What are the benefits of Voice Search?
- Speech can be captured much faster than the time it takes to type
- Text-to-speech can be used in real-time [no loading lags – hoorah!]
- It’s accessible for people experiencing visual difficulties who may find it challenging to engage with digital screens and keyboards, or lack confidence with spelling.
How does Voice Search impact Search queries?
SEO is central to the success of any business that operates online as it determines how high in the search rankings you will appear. As Voice Search continues to grow in popularity with Google users, SEO strategies need to align with this to ensure they reflect the browsing behaviours of Google users.
Voice Search improves the user experience, so if a user discovers your website through a Voice Search, this is likely to have a positive impact on your overall SEO rankings. It really shouldn’t be overlooked.
How should your SEO strategy be influenced by Google Voice Search?
Optimise your site for mobile
Google Voice Search is expanding the need for mobile friendliness. To reflect this, you should optimise your site by making it mobile responsive and testing your Core Web Vitals.
Keep your site speed fast
As the quicker method of searching for an enquiry, the popularity of Google Voice Search shows that speed is still highly important to users [so banish the buffer].
Target long-tail keywords
The widespread use of Google Voice Search is demonstrating that on an increasing basis, search traffic is being driven by phrases rather than words. This means that long-tailed keywords are climbing the ranks. The increase in Google Voice Search users emphasises the importance of questions in context. Your keyword strategy should support this by targeting long-tail and question-based keywords.
Use conversational language in your content
Google Voice Search is accommodating a shift to more human-focused content on the web, so the highest-ranking Search results are those that answer searchers’ enquiries in the most natural, human voice. Therefore, titling your pages and content to reflect how a searcher may discover them will make them more discoverable.
Allow Ketchup to optimise your site for Voice Search success
Our dedicated team of SEO specialists are here to help you climb the Search rankings and speak to Google users [saying all the right words].
If you’re ready to build your brand reach and awareness, strengthen your local SEO and create an expertly-crafted keyword strategy that places you right in front of your target audience...