{"id":30982,"date":"2017-01-05T14:03:18","date_gmt":"2017-01-05T14:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandignitybeta.com\/demo\/brandlatest\/2017\/01\/05\/optimize-website-voice-search\/"},"modified":"2017-01-05T14:03:18","modified_gmt":"2017-01-05T14:03:18","slug":"optimize-website-voice-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/brandignitybeta.com\/demo\/brandlatest\/optimize-website-voice-search\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Optimize Your Website for Voice Search"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Many people are foregoing typing when it comes to performing Internet searches. Instead of typing out what they\u2019re looking for, for example, \u201cCalgary Mexico flights\u201d, people instead are using the hands-free voice command system in their phones to actually say what they\u2019re looking for. Voice search<\/a> has become increasingly more popular over the last few years as smartphones are now equipped with voice command technology.<\/p>\n

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\"first-started-using-voice\"<\/p>\n

By now you may have already optimized your website for better search engine recognition and mobile searches, in which case it\u2019s time to go one step further and ensure that your site is equipped to handle voice searches. Here\u2019s how to optimize your website for voice search without sacrificing compelling content and brand awareness.<\/p>\n

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SEO Keywords vs. Voice Search Keywords<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Search engine optimization (SEO)<\/a> uses specific keywords to target specific users. People are often likely to be concise in their searches, typing only two or three words into a search bar. If they\u2019re looking for a flight to Mexico, they wouldn\u2019t type: \u201cI\u2019m looking for a round trip flight to Mexico from Calgary\u201d. Instead their search would be something simple like \u201cflights to Mexico\u201d or \u201cCalgary to Mexico round trip\u201d. If you owned a travel agency that specialized in package tours to Mexico, you\u2019d want to get that person\u2019s business. Your website would no doubt contain SEO keywords that matched that person\u2019s search. For instance, \u201cAt Leisure Travel, our flights to Mexico include round trip airfare from Calgary\u201d or \u201cWe provide exclusive airfare from Calgary to Mexico, round trip\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s where things get tricky. Voice search keywords differ from SEO keywords<\/a> because you need to tap into the way someone would ask a question verbally. The way we speak to our phones and tablets is different than the way we type in searches. Our tone is bound to be more conversational even though we\u2019re speaking to an electronic device. We can use full sentences that sound natural instead of contrived like a typed-in search. Voice search keywords are longer and actual phrases like, \u201cHey Siri, where can I find a flight from Calgary to Mexico?\u201d or \u201cHey Cortana, I need a round trip flight to Mexico\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Google and Bing, Who Wins?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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When it comes to mobile and desktop typed-in searches, Google is king. However, voice search may be a different beast. Siri, the iPhone\u2019s voice activated virtual butler uses Bing to answer your questions. The same goes for Cortana<\/a>, Microsoft\u2019s voice assistant. That means that users have to specifically ask their devices to use Google for their queries. For example, \u201cHey Siri, Can you ask Google where I can find a flight to Mexico\u201d or \u201cHey Cortana, please use Google to search flights to Mexico\u201d. If you think this seems convoluted, you\u2019re right. Most iPhone and Windows phone users don\u2019t ask for a specific search engine, they only ask their specific question. So what does that mean for your site\u2019s voice search optimization? Well, in 2016, according to IDC, Android still dwarfs iOS system use which means that Google remains king. Thus, you can avoid specifically creating voice optimization for Bing and create something universal.<\/p>\n