We’re in the midst of a revolution. Not the overthrow-the-government type of revolution, but it IS giving the internet a spin. The way users search and interact with the incredible amount of information is changing drastically. The revolution is Voice Search. And everyone is joining in.

OK Google Voice Search on Smart Phone
photos source: pixabay

Consider These Voice Search Stats

To truly understand the sheer power behind voice search and its capability to help your website stand out above the rest, consider these basic statistics that we recently uncovered:

  • Nearly half of all adults are using voice search on a daily basis
  • Just over 20% of all of the mobile queries performed on Google are done via voice
  • Voice search has grown over 35% since the year of 2008
  • 60% of all voice-activated products state that they will continue to utilize these devices
  • Statistics indicate that by 2020, half of all internet searches will be voice searches

Now, let’s review that last stat one more time:

By 2020, a minimum of HALF of ALL internet searches will be performed as a voice search.

Why is Voice Search Rising in Popularity?

There are several reasons why voice search is gaining in popularity among internet users:

  1. Searching by voice is nearly four times faster than searching by typing
  2. Voice search is more convenient and easier for mobile users
  3. The immense outpouring of voice search devices being introduced on the market

Are Voice Searches Really Different Than Typed Searches?

In short, the answer is “yes”.

When we search with our voice, we talk in a different way than if we typed a search. In turn, this is changing what users are searching for, how they are searching, and when they are searching. Text searches are typically short and a little more “professional”, if you will. Voice searches are longer and more “conversational”. This is referred to in the SEO world as “natural language” searches.

Believe it or not, when a person is out in public, they are more likely to conduct a voice search than a typed search.

It is convenient and it instantly connects to businesses and other areas of interest that are near the internet user.

Finally, voice searches are going right along with Google’s unofficially transition from a traditional “search engine” to an updated “answer engine”.

Google Voice Search
source: pixabay

The Technology That Focuses on Answers Rather Than Results

In recent years, Google has integrated a large assortment of features in SERP. These include Featured Snippets, Knowledge Graphs, and other tools. The technology behind these features is created in such a way that it gives real people real answers.

Now, internet users do not have to just click one website after another to get the information that they seek. They simply ask a question and receive an immediate response. In fact, most answers come from those Snippets that we mentioned before.

In order to have a competitive edge with your website, you must focus on creating content that provides answers to the questions that internet users search for on a daily basis.

The Two Main Components of Voice Search

Now, to really up your game, you must understand that there are two main components when it comes to voice search. The first is actually performing a web search with the voice and the second is performing a specific action with your voice.

If you have interactive components on your website, it is important to include actionable instructions. If not, you will simply focus on providing internet users with answers.

If your website contains both answers and interactions, you will need to focus on both of these components.

Types of Data

Google utilizes a multitude of data to provide information to users. Examples include Google property information, factual information, and complex or general data.

The property searches are those that focuses on information like shopping venues, parks, maps, and similar content. Factual information is often derived from Knowledge Graphs that are included in answer boxes.

If complex or general information is requested, this often comes from Featured Snippets.

what is a featured snippet google results

What are Featured Snippets?

The Featured Snippet is also referred to as “Position 0”.

It actually comes before the first search engine result on the first page of that search result. For a website owner, this is the desired location when it comes to search engine result pages.

A Featured Snippet is a special type of specific, direct answer to an internet user’s internet search query. It is located on the search engine result page, right at the top. It provides the answer so that the user does not have to sort through the web results listed below.

The information presented is pulled directly from the webpage that is directly linked in the Snippet.

Are There Different Types of Snippets?

Generally speaking, there are at least three different types of Featured Snippets out there. Of course, this is only current information. As time progresses, there are likely to be additional types created and added. For this guide, we will just focus on the basic types. These are text snippets, video snippets, and those that utilize and integrate lists and/or tables.

Depending on how you present the information on your website, you may find that you come up as any type of these snippets. There is no particular snippet that ranks higher than another; however, this could change as both artificial intelligence, voice search devices, and voice search technology continue to evolve, over time.

Website Results in Search Results
source: pixabay

How to Get Your Website to Deliver Content in Voice Search Devices

As a website owner, the goal is to get your content to come up in voice search devices and programs. The absolute best chance that you have at winning in this endeavor is to win one of those Featured Snippets. How do you do that?

It may prove to be challenging, but it is not impossible. You should be an authority in your field, have a solid reputation of providing high-quality content, and have comprehensive content that truly exemplifies the best information possible.

Now, let’s start with your content. In the older days of search engine optimization, it was all about getting as many pages of content as possible up on your website. Other tactics included keyword stuffing and blasting your links in every corner of the World Wide Web. These tactics no longer win you any favor with Google and other major search engines. In fact, they may just result in penalties.

The truth is, you must provide in-depth, high-quality pieces. You must use long-tail keywords with latent semantic indexing keywords throughout your content. How does this work.

Let’s say you want to write an article on how to soothe the symptoms of the flu. First, you would start with a basic question like, “How Do I Reduce the Symptoms of the Flu?” Then, you will want to focus on basic keywords and phrases like:

  • Symptoms of Flu
  • Symptoms of Stomach Flu
  • Flu Symptoms
  • Flu Treatments
  • Flu Symptoms in Adults
  • Flu Symptoms in Children

Then, you will want to include a few keywords that are related to the main keywords so that Google develops a better understanding of exactly what your content is about, such as:

  • Cure
  • Treatment at Home
  • Treatment Adults
  • Indian Home Remedies
  • Old Fashioned Remedies
  • Remedies Food
  • And Sore Throat
  • Recovery Time

Next, you will want to create a long, detailed article using the keywords and associated keywords that you have found. Many keywords may be used as headers. Examples of good headers for this particular article would include:

  • Flu Symptoms in Toddlers
  • Flu Symptoms in Children
  • Flu Symptoms in Teens
  • Flu Symptoms in Adults
  • Old Fashioned Remedies
  • Recovery Time

Many SEO experts agree that a detailed article that provides solid information, a direct answer to a question, and is at least 2,000 words or longer is the absolute best way to have the best chance to become a Featured Snippet on the keyword/keywords/keyword phrases that you are trying to rank for within your niche.

If you evaluate the websites that are in Position 0, you will find that none of them are short. None of them are stuffed with keywords. ALL of them possess high-quality content and are lengthier than their counterparts listed on search engine result pages.

This, alone, provides us with a few basics that Google is really in search of when featuring websites.

We here at Brick Road Media can help increase your odds of creating appealing content that may result in your being featured at Position 0. If you would like more information or are ready to order content that will immediately impact your rankings, contact us now and let us help you achieve the success you desire: 765-439-4029