Voice Search Optimisation for SEO in 2018

Search engine optimisation can be quite a complex matter if you let it be since there numerous variables that make up the formation of good SEO.
Let’s face it Google is our main source of drive and all of us are aspiring to meet their approved practice.  Just as we think we discovered how to stay on top of SEO, it evolves even further giving us more work to do.  The good news is that although Google are constantly updating their algorithms in the long term it is more beneficial to us, creating better search engine results is what we want and also what consumers want.
So what’s the latest craze with SEO?
As we all know smartphones are literally a basic everyday essential that we cannot live without, so there’s no surprise why Mobile SEO has become an important feature in 2018.
In addition to mobile SEO, Voice Search has become increasingly popular with a high percentage of total searches attributed to voice activated searches.  With AI assistants becoming an increasingly popular feature on our smartphones such as Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and the latest Samsung’s Bixby – it’s no wonder that voice searches are really taking off.  AI assistants have become a convenient part of our busy day to day lives whereby we have adapted to still be functional on the go, ergo Voice Search.

So How Does Voice Search Work?

It’s quite simple really, as much as Google make their secret algorithms for SEO complex they make searching as easy as possible.  Just as you would do a normal typed search, in the same bar is a a microphone icon.  Simply press this button once and as with all AI assistants you are given a few seconds to say what your enquiry is and as easy as 1,2,3 Google will produce results based on your search for you.
Voice Search is perfect for quick on the go enquiries in the form of a question, such as ‘where is the nearest coffee shop’ or ‘Tell me where the nearest Indian Restaurant is’.  Anything a little bit more complex may not give the result straight away and may involve additional search enquiries to be made.

So Why Does It Understand Short Questions?

Google Hummingbird Update is the short answer.
This major change to Google’s search algorithm, although not recent, has proved to be worthwhile and here to stay setting itself as the best in comparison to it’s predecessors.  This update focuses emphasis on more natural human spoken queries to create more accurate result queries on SERPs (search engine results pages).  The algorithm Google search uses fully Takes into consideration the context and indication of keywords used in the users search enquiry.  It also has the ability to search deeper through websites for specific content related to the enquiry, leading the user directly to that page rather than just the homepage.  Speed of a result for the user experience seems to be the main goal here for obvious reasons.

So what exactly does this mean?

It means that SERP’s are likely to be far more relevant and users will not have to scroll through pages of a websites to get the exact required information they requested.  The focus on structured sentences or phrases mean more meaningful searches are conducted and results are returned at a quicker rate.  This is a major improvement in comparison to other search engines who solely rely on specific keywords rather than the question as a whole, therefore making searching a long and tedious job.  Gone are the days of keyword stuffing to hit Google search results.

OK, How do I implement Voice Search Optimisation?

With the fast paced world we live in today it is inevitable that Voice Search will become a key role in everyone’s SEO, which is why our SEO experts have put together strategic and effective methods to adopt in ensuring you optimise your website for Voice Search.
Fully taking these points into consideration will not only mean you are up to date with key developing factors in SEO, it is also very good SEO practice to maintain increased internet traffic.

1. Google My Business
   

   You will find that most voice searches currently conducted are location based such as ‘Where is the nearest Petrol Station?’ or ‘Where is the closets Cinema?’.
   When conducting location based voice results you will tend to see local results appear first for this reason.  Those top local results on Google are businesses that are added on Google My Business directory; If you have a business it is important as well as good practice to have your business listed.
   Google My Business is a free service that gives your business additional visibility whilst giving you the ability to appear as one of the first for local and voice search results.

2. Question Keyword Phrase Searches
   

   The Google Hummingbird update has made this easier and more beneficial to everyone performing a search, keeping question keyword phrase searches short and simple is the only real prerequisite.
   When it comes to voice search, question phrases are by far the most common type of searches simply due to people wanting quick and fast results on the go.  It is with this data in mind that our London team of SEO Experts suggest you strictly stick to 6 keywords when curating your question phrases, ‘Who, What, When, Where, How & Why’.
   It is clear that ‘Where’ questions are targeted towards businesses and their physical locations, whereas keyword phrases containing words such as ‘What’, ‘Why’ ‘When’  and ‘How’ are targeted towards providing users with information i.e. ‘What time does Tesco Close today?’.

3. Mobile Search Engine Optimisation

   It cannot be omitted from any SEO expert that smartphone users account for a high percentage of all searches.
   With AI assistants and Google helping with voice optimisation it is imperative that your website is fully mobile optimised.  There’s nothing worse than getting the results you want from a search but having difficulty navigating through the mobile version of the website.
   Speed and ease of use are the two most important factors smartphone users take into consideration when accessing a website.  Whilst the influx of mobile users grows month on month consistently and has done for many years, their patience levels are also lower than ever – if your website doesn’t work well on mobile expect bounce rates to soar for mobile users.
   These are all very important considerations that should not be taken lightly in order to succeed with SEO for both mobile and desktop.

We hope that this information has been insightful and you have learned a thing or two about Voice Optimisation.
If you ever need advice or a professional in the know – Strategic SEO have skilled experts on hand to help with your SEO needs, get in contact today for further information.