The way people search for information is constantly evolving, and voice search is the latest trend that has taken the world by storm. Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have made it easier than ever for people to search for information without having to type out their queries. According to a report by ComScore, it is estimated that by 2020, 50% of all searches will be voice searches. This rise in voice search has several implications for marketing strategies.
Understanding Voice Search
Voice search is a technology that allows users to search the internet by speaking to their devices instead of typing out their queries. It is convenient, hands-free, and can be done from anywhere. Voice search is powered by natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms that can understand and interpret human speech. This technology has made it possible for people to search for information on the go, and has changed the way people interact with search engines.
Implications for Marketing Strategies
Voice search has several implications for marketing strategies. Here are a few:
- Long-tail keywords: Voice search queries tend to be longer and more conversational than typed queries. This means that marketers need to focus on long-tail keywords that are more conversational and natural. Marketers should also focus on answering questions that users may have, as voice search queries are often in the form of questions.
- Featured snippets: Featured snippets are the short answers that appear at the top of Google search results. These snippets are particularly important for voice search, as voice assistants often read out the featured snippet in response to a query. Marketers should aim to get their content featured in snippets, as this will increase their chances of being chosen by voice assistants as the answer to a query.
- Local SEO: Voice search is particularly useful for local searches. People often use voice search to find nearby businesses or services. Marketers should focus on local SEO, which involves optimizing their website for local searches. This includes adding location-based keywords, creating local content, and getting listed on local directories.
- Mobile optimization: Voice search is primarily done on mobile devices. Marketers should ensure that their website is mobile optimized and has a fast loading time. This will improve the user experience and increase the chances of their website being chosen by voice assistants.
Voice search is here to stay, and marketers need to adapt their strategies to keep up with this trend. By focusing on long-tail keywords, featured snippets, local SEO, and mobile optimization, marketers can ensure that their content is optimized for voice search and is more likely to be chosen by voice assistants as the answer to a query. Marketers who ignore voice search do so at their own peril, as they risk losing out on potential customers who are increasingly using voice search to find the information they need.