Guest post by Colm Stafford.
Between the ubiquity of cell phones and increasing use of in-home smart speakers, voice search is growing at a scorching pace.
According to statistics compiled by DBS Interactive, eMarketer estimates that over a third of the US population (111.8 million people) now use a voice assistant monthly, up from less than 10% in 2018. And ComScore predicts that by 2020, up to 50% of all online searches may be performed with voice search.
Check out the helpful infographic below to discover more key facts about the rise of voice search plus tips for voice search engine optimization (SEO).
What is Voice Search?
Rather than typing keywords into a search engine, voice search lets users verbally state their query into a device such as a smart speaker (e.g. the Google Home) or a virtual assistant (e.g. Apple’s Siri). Voice search can be used to perform a wide array of tasks, from searching the web to playing music, making phone calls, or setting timers.
Is Voice Search Here to Stay?
Research indicates voice search is fast becoming ingrained into many people’s everyday lives. In early 2019, just 13% of households owned smart speaker devices. However, ownership levels are projected to reach 55% by the year 2022.
Optimizing for Voice – An Essential Tactic for Businesses Today
Voice search, as noted above, is expected to make up half of all online searches by 2020. As such, organisations are now integrating voice search into their SEO strategies. To stay visible and relevant to consumers in the future, brands will have no choice but to make voice technology a key part of their digital marketing activities.
The Advantages of Voice Search Optimization
Voice optimization enhances the customer experience as it enables users to easily find the answers they need, which may have a positive effect on your bounce rates. What’s more, optimizing for voice now may increase your organic traffic by giving you an edge over competitors in search engine rankings.
Learn More About the Power of Voice SEO
To learn more about the growing importance of voice search, check out the infographic / guide below, courtesy of the team at ERS IT Solutions. This useful infographic provides numerous tips on voice SEO and offers some expert insights on this emerging marketing technique.
Colm Stafford is the Managing Director of Irish IT solutions company ERS IT Solutions. His business provides IT support and advice on the topics of cloud services, managed services, app development and more.