Voice search is a technology that allows users to search using their voice. The technology makes it easier to perform searches by speaking into one’s mobile devices.
What voice assistants are available?
Nowadays, there are several ways to perform searches through voice search. Many mobile devices are equipped with AI or a voice assistant that enables actions via speech or special voice commands.
Some of the most popular digital assistants are as follows:
- Google Assistant: Available on Android devices, Google Home speakers, and other devices.
- Amazon Alexa: Available on Amazon Echo devices and other devices.
- Apple Siri: Available on Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- Microsoft Cortana: Available on Windows computers and other devices.
- Samsung Bixby: Available on Samsung devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Why is voice search important?
Voice search is becoming increasingly widespread due to the increasing use of voice-activated devices like smartphones, smart speakers, and digital assistants. It is a fundamental change in the way we interact with technology. And for many, a normal part of everyday life.
The increased availability will likely mean that more people will start using voice search in the near future. And with new inventions, typically new opportunities also come with them.
For users
- Convenience: You can search for information, control devices, and perform tasks hands-free. This is especially useful when you’re on the go, busy, or have your hands full.
- Speed: It is often faster to speak than to type, especially on mobile devices.
- Accessibility: Voice search makes technology more accessible to people with disabilities, such as the visually impaired or those with motor difficulties.
- Personalized experience: Voice assistants can learn your preferences and provide personalized results and recommendations.
For companies
- New ways to reach customers: Voice search is becoming more integrated into digital platforms and search engines, encouraging businesses to optimize for voice search to ensure they are found by potential customers.
- Improved customer experience: By offering voice search functionality, businesses can provide customers with a more convenient and personalized experience.
- Access to valuable data: Voice search provides access to valuable data about customer needs and preferences.
The increasing popularity of voice assistants and smart phones and home devices shows that voice search is here to stay. Therefore, it is important for both users and businesses to understand and adapt to this new technology.
Voice search SEO
Voice search SEO is similar to traditional search engine optimization (SEO) in many ways. It’s about optimizing your website and content so that it ranks higher in search results. Ideally, it should be at the top of Google, the most popular search engine in Denmark.
Imagine you’re using voice search on your Android phone. You ask Google Assistant a question. First, Google Assistant listens to your voice. Then, it picks up and analyzes your words and understands what you’re asking.
Then it starts looking for answers. It uses its huge database and searches the internet to find the best answer.
The difference between traditional SEO and Voice Search Optimization
While traditional SEO focuses on semantic search, voice search SEO takes into account the way people speak. People use more natural, spoken language phrases when using voice search. For example, “Where can I find the best pizza in Copenhagen?” instead of just typing “best pizza Copenhagen“.
Tips for optimizing your website for Voice Search Optimization
- Focus on long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific search phrases that are often used in voice search. For example, “how to make a delicious chocolate cake without eggs?“.
- Use natural language: Write your content as if you were talking to a person. Avoid stiff and formal language. This is also a very quick and easy way to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated content.
- Optimize for featured snippets: Featured snippets are the boxes of information that appear at the top of search results. Having your content appear in a featured snippet can increase your visibility in both normal search engine optimization and voice search.
- Structure your content: Use relevant headings, subheadings, bullet points and images to structure your content, but also to make it easier to read and understand.
- Optimize your website for mobile: Most voice searches are done on mobile devices, so it’s important to have a mobile-friendly website.
- Use schema markup: Schema markup, or structured data, is a form of code that helps search engines understand your content. It can improve your visibility in voice search as well as in general.
- Build an FAQ section: An FAQ section with frequently asked questions and answers can be a great way to optimize for voice search. People often tend to ask questions via voice assistants.
Use the above progress for content on all searches you would like your website to be found on via voice search.
Useful tools for Voice Search optimization
- Google Search Console: Gives you insight into which keywords people use to find your website.
- SEMrush: An SEO tool that can help you find long-tail keywords and analyze your competitors.
- AnswerThePublic or AlsoAsked: A tool that shows you what questions people are asking about a particular topic.
Types of Voice Search
People use voice search for different purposes, so it’s important to understand these different types if you want to optimize your content for voice search.
Here are the 3 main types:
1.🔍Informative searches
- Purpose: To obtain information about a topic.
- Examples: “What is the weather like in Copenhagen?“, “How high is Mount Everest?“, “How do you make pancakes?“.
- Characteristics: Often questions with “who“, “what“, “where“, “when” and “how“.
- Optimization: Write informative articles, blog posts, and FAQ pages that answer common questions. Use structured data to highlight important information.
2.🧭Navigation searches:
- Purpose: To find a place or business.
- Examples: “Find the nearest pizzeria“, “Where is Tivoli?“, “Show me the way to Rådhuspladsen“.
- Characteristics: Frequent searches for local businesses, addresses, and directions.
- Optimization: Make sure your business is registered on Google My Business with correct address, opening hours and contact information. Optimize your website with local SEO.
- 🛒Transactional searches:
- Purpose: To perform an action, such as purchasing a product or ordering a service.
- Examples: “Order a taxi“, “Buy a movie ticket“, “Play the latest song by Taylor Swift“.
- Characteristics: Often searches with action-oriented words like “order“, “buy“, “play” and “send“.
- Optimization: Make it easy for users to perform actions on your website or app through voice commands. Integrate with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
In addition to these three main types, voice search can also be used for:
- Control of devices: “Turn on the lights“, “Turn up the music“, “Set a timer“.
- Communication: “Call Mom“, “Send a message to Peter“, etc.
- Entertainment: “Tell a joke“, “Play a game“, “Read a story“, etc.
By understanding the different types of voice search, you can better target your content and optimize your website.
