According to Google, 27% of global online users use voice input on their mobile device. The use of smart home devices is also steadily increasing – most recently from 69% to 71% from 2020 to 2021 in Switzerland. This developments influence the use of voice search via Google and other search engines. What does this trend mean for our existing search engine optimisation (SEO) strategies? How can we best prepare our websites for the associated changes?
Text input vs. voice search
First, we will examine the essential difference between text-based searches and voice searches. When entering text, short search terms are usually used: A user who wants to find out about the weather in Zurich is probably looking for «Weather Zurich». Voice search, on the other hand, often uses whole sentences and a natural language. The user will then formulate his search and ask: «What is the weather like in Zurich?»
Influence on SEO
In search engine optimisation for voice search, mere keyword optimisation takes a back seat. In the future, Google will include the idiosyncrasies of oral language in its programming. Therefore, it is important that Google comprehensively recognizes the context and the contents of a website and finds as much information as possible on the core topic at the first go.
Our 5 SEO tips
- Try to understand your target group and find out possible questions they might ask if they are looking for your business.
- Create meaningful content that clearly answers these questions and comprehensively describes the purpose of your site.
- Write texts in a language that corresponds to a natural oral language.
- Match your content stylistically to your target group.
- Create a FAQ area with relevant questions that ideally match the voice-controlled search queries.
Do you know any other tips that we should add here? Or do you need help for your individual search engine optimisation? Then send an email to [email protected]. I am looking forward to hearing from you!
First published on 4. April 2018.
