Search engine optimization (SEO) has changed a great deal since the first search engines became popular back in the 90s. While some say that SEO is dead, that couldn’t be further from the truth. SEO is mature, but it’s achieved staying power because of how important it is to local businesses. However, SEO evolves with new technologies, and voice search optimization is no different.
In this article, you’re going to learn what voice SEO is, how it works, and how to optimize for voice searches in your SEO efforts.
What Is Voice Search Optimization (SEO)?
Voice search engine optimization (VSO) is an online technique to increase the likelihood of being found on the search engine results page (SERP) by optimizing your search results or snippets for searches done using voice command programs, such as Apple’s Siri. It is a form of search engine optimization (SEO) that helps search engines to “understand” your content so that they can better understand what your site is about and how it ranks for voice searches.
VSO is also known as “natural” or “organic” search engine optimization. “Natural” refers to “natural language”, though “organic” can be a confusing term, since all SEO is considered by some web marketers to be a form of “organic marketing”.
Why Are Voice Searches Important?
Any SEO expert will want to make sure that your website will be found easily by people when they are on a search engine. They will also want to make sure that their website will perform well whenever it comes up in a search. That is what search engine optimization is all about, and voice searches have become a big part of that.
According to a study done by Emarketer in 2020, 40.2% of the US population uses voice search features. If your web pages aren’t optimized for common voice search keywords, then you could be missing out big time.
Is Optimizing For Voice Search Worth It?
The short answer is yes. Optimizing for voice search allows you to capture this particular type of search traffic more effectively than your competitors. While many keywords have become extremely competitive, optimizing your web pages for voice keywords is a great way to rank for search terms that some of your competitors don’t.
Much of the voice search traffic comes from searches for local keywords. Here’s an example: a man discovers a leaky pipe under his sink, then without thinking asks Siri “find me a plumber near me”. Siri will then return results both via voice and on the phone screen. If you’re not optimizing for voice search, you might not show up for that man’s search!
Who Should Invest In Voice Search SEO?
The top SEO experts have now taken voice searches into consideration for the vast majority of their clients. However, the most valuable voice search traffic comes from searches for local business keywords. If you own a local business, investing in voice search optimization can help bring you leads that would otherwise not be able to find you.
Need an SEO Agency Atlanta? SEO Guru Is Here For You
SEO Guru Atlanta is an SEO agency in Atlanta that specializes in helping small businesses increase their search traffic. To get started with us, simply give us a call at 678-520-9925 or sign up below to get a free SEO audit!
Interested in a career in SEO? Learn the basics in this article: What Does SEO Stand For & How Does It Work?
