The Impact of Voice Search on SEO and Content Strategy

With Legacy Media, technology has made searching for a content strategy easier than ever. One of the biggest changes is the rise of voice search. Instead of typing, people now use their voices to search for things on devices like smartphones, smart speakers, and even cars. You might have heard someone say, “Hey Siri,” or “OK Google” before asking a question. This is voice search in action! But how does voice search change things for businesses, especially when it comes to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and content strategy?  

What Is Voice Search?

  Voice search allows people to speak their questions instead of typing them. This technology is powered by voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, and others. These assistants are programmed to understand spoken language and quickly provide answers or suggestions based on what’s available online. With more people using this feature, voice search is becoming a major part of how people interact with the internet.    

Why Is Voice Search Important for SEO?

  SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is how websites get noticed by search engines like Google. Websites use SEO strategies to make sure they rank high on search result pages. This is important because most people don’t look past the first few results when searching for something online. Voice search changes how SEO works because people ask questions differently when speaking compared to typing. For example, someone typing might search for “best pizza place,” but someone using voice search might say, “Where’s the best pizza place near me?” The phrasing is more conversational and often longer.    

Content Strategy: The Shift to Conversational Keywords

  With voice search, businesses need to think about how people speak, not just how they type. When creating content, companies should focus on more natural, conversational language. Instead of short, choppy keywords like “cheap furniture store,” a voice search might sound like, “Where can I find affordable furniture near me?” This means that businesses need to include these longer, more specific questions, known as long-tail keywords, in their SEO strategy. Long-tail keywords are key phrases that are more detailed and match the way people naturally speak when using voice search. Optimizing content for these kinds of searches will help businesses show up when people ask their voice assistants questions.    

Content Strategy: Local Searches and Voice Search

  Voice search is also heavily used for local searches. Think about how often you’ve asked something like, “What’s the closest coffee shop?” or “Where can I get gas nearby?” According to some studies, nearly 58% of people use voice search to find local businesses. For businesses, this means optimizing their websites for local SEO. Local SEO focuses on making sure that when people search for businesses nearby, your company shows up. This includes making sure business names, addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation are all easy to find online and accurate. Using keywords that relate to location, like “near me,” “in [city],” or “close by,” can help improve how often a business shows up in these local voice searches. Making sure your company is listed correctly on Google Maps and other directories is also critical. Voice search is changing the way people find information online, and it’s only going to grow. Businesses that adapt to these changes will be better positioned to succeed. By focusing on conversational keywords, optimizing for local searches, and making sure their websites are mobile-friendly, companies can take full advantage of voice search and improve their SEO. In this evolving digital landscape, Legacy Media believes that it’s important to stay ahead of trends like voice search. Adjusting content strategies now will help businesses thrive in the future.