Google voice search is changing the way Google handles search queries by redefining how users are searching for information. By using Google to search the web through spoken voice commands rather than typing, users are utilizing Google’s Voice Search function. Google Voice Search is fully compatible with multiple products and applications, including Google Maps and Google Now, becoming an integral part of the Google experience. 

The Google Voice Search function performs on both desktop and mobile searches. If you make a search comparison with a spoken voice and a regular typed search query, you will see the results produce very little difference. 

The primary reason for the growth in popularity of voice recognition technology is the ease of use in comparison to typing. With the average person able to type around 40 words per minute, but speak around 150 words per minute, consumers are turning to talk over type on devices such as Android mobile and Amazon’s Alexa.

Voice searches are becoming increasingly popular as users are adopting voice search into daily tasks such as finding directions, dictating text messages, utilizing mobile device call functions, checking the time, and playing media.

Optimize Your Site for Google Voice Search

By utilizing current SEO best practices, there’s very little you need to do differently to optimize your website for Google Voice Search. Here are seven ways you can optimize for Voice Search.

1. User Intent – When structuring your site and content, it is vital to have searcher intent in mind by ensuring that your website has all your relevant information such as location, hours, products, and services. Having all this information readily available on your website not only helps with user experience but helps Google understand the data on your website. Learn more about how to improve user experience.
2. Schema – Another way to help Google understand what your website is about is by implementing Schema metadata. Schema is one of the most powerful SEO practices, so by adding this markup, you are putting yourself way ahead of the curve.
3. Long-Tail Keywords– Targeting long-tail keywords is one of the most effective strategies you can adopt when optimizing for voice search. If you think about how people talk, spoken voice searches are usually conversational and reflect how people speak in everyday life. There is a much better chance of ranking for voice search queries by going after these long-tail, conversational keywords and phrases.
4. Update your Google My Business Listing – Make sure that your Google My Business listing is as complete and comprehensive as possible. The more current the information is on your listing, the more useful and relevant your site will be to customers, making it especially helpful to those “near me” searches.
5. Optimize for ‘Near Me’ Searches – If you’re using Google Ads to advertise your local business, there are some additional steps to take to increase visibility for the “near me” searches.
6. Google Ads’ Location Extensions – Enabling location extensions in AdWords allows you to have your business’ address, phone number, and directions displayed alongside your ads. If you want to show up in the “near me” searches, this is crucial.
7. Google Maps Local Search Ads – Local Search Ads in Google Maps is another powerful technique you can use to optimize for Google Voice Search. These ads appear above organic results in Google Maps and can help drive more foot traffic to your store or location.

With Google forever updating their algorithms and the way people search, it is almost certain Google Voice Search will continue to evolve and improve on its ease of use reputation.

Sympler prioritizes voice search for clients who stand to benefit from it. To learn more about how voice search may help your business, contact us today.