The Complete Guide to (SEO) Search Engine Optimization for Voice Search in 2023

Search engine optimization is essential for generating qualified organic traffic to websites from search engines like Google.

But did you know that over 50% of all searches are now voice searches?

With the rise of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search has exploded in adoption over recent years.

So traditional SEO focusing only on keywords is no longer enough. You need to specifically optimize for voice search as well if you want to stay discoverable.

In this updated Search Engine Optimization guide for 2023, you’ll learn:

• Essential voice search optimization tips
• Overall best practices for improving website visibility
• Resources and tools to execute voice SEO

Let’s begin!

Why Voice Search Optimization Matters for Search Engine Optimization

Voice search has fundamentally transformed user search behavior and expectations.

As per Comscore, 50% of all searches will be voice searches by 2020.

Voice search is:

• Conversational: Queries use natural language and full questions.
• Local: Nearby business searches dominate voice search.
• Mobile & Task-Oriented: Getting things done fast is the priority.

All this impacts ranking factors and Search Engine Optimization best practices.

If your website isn’t optimized for voice search, you may be missing out on up to 50% of potential search traffic.

Focusing on voice SEO ensures your site stays visible and discoverable in voice results on Google, Alexa, Siri, etc.

Optimizing Websites for Voice Search

Here are the top tips for on-page and off-page optimization to target voice search traffic:

1. Use Conversational Long-Tail Keywords

Optimize pages for long-tail natural language questions like:

• What time does the local UPS store close today?
• Is there a highly-rated Mexican restaurant open now near me?

These keywords are more likely to be used in voice search queries vs. short generic terms.

2. Structure Key Data Points Prominently

Call out critical info like addresses, contact details, and business timings using bulleted lists, tables, or paragraph headings:

Address: 123 Main St, New York, NY

Phone: 212 555 1234

This helps voice assistants easily parse and surface this key data.

3. Add FAQ Schema Markups

FAQs on SEO and Voice Search Optimization

1. What’s better – Search Engine Optimization agency or in-house Search Engine Optimization?

For best results, take a blended approach with in-house execution for ongoing optimization plus a Search Engine Optimization agency guiding high-level strategy.

2. How long does Search Engine Optimization take to work?

Expect at least 3-6 months for newly optimized pages to start ranking, provided they are technically sound and have good backlink profiles.

3. Is Search Engine Optimization worth investing in?

Yes, Search Engine Optimization delivers an unmatched ROI compared to paid search. Just $1 invested in SEO can drive $2-$3 in incremental sales on average.

4. How is voice search optimization different from regular Search Engine Optimization?

Voice search requires conversational keywords, short answers, speedy page load, and structured markups vs. traditional keyword-focused optimization.

4. Optimize for Local Search Engine Optimization

Publish locally-optimized content targeting voice searches for nearby products and services.

Ensure your Google My Business listing has complete timings, addresses, etc.

This helps you rank in the Local Pack for relevant long-tail voice search queries.

5. Improve Mobile Page Speed

Faster page speed boosts voice search visibility as users expect quick answers spoken back instantly.

Optimize by compressing images, minimizing redirects, enabling browser caching, etc.

Now that we’ve covered voice search optimization let’s discuss overall SEO for better search visibility.

Overall Website Search Engine Optimization Best Practices

Here are key areas to focus on for optimizing SEO beyond just voice search:

Conduct Keyword Research

Discover high-potential keywords that users search for related to your offerings. Prioritize keywords by search volume and competitiveness.

Use tools like:

• Google Keyword Planner
• SEMrush Keyword Tool
• Ahrefs Keyword Explorer

Optimize Website Content

Create useful, engaging content optimized around your focus keywords to rank for them over time.

• Publish blog posts and long-form content.
• Use keywords naturally in titles, headings, meta descriptions, etc.
• Interlink internal content
• Update old content

Get Quality Backlinks

Earn backlinks from relevant high-authority domains in your industry to signal trust and authority to Google.

• Content marketing outreach
• Guest posting
• Link inserts

Improve Site Speed

Faster page load time improves user experience. Google also factors speed in rankings.

• Enable compression & caching.
• Minify code
• Optimize images
• Upgrade web hosting

Fix Technical Errors

Have no crawling, indexing, or site errors that negatively impact Search Engine Optimization.

• Correct broken links
• Enable proper redirects
• Fix robots.txt and sitemap issues

This covers key areas for overall SEO success beyond just voice search optimization.

Now let’s look at the essential SEO tools you need…

Search Engine Optimization Tools and Resources

Here are key SEO tools and resources for voice search optimization, keyword research, backlinks tracking, technical fixes, and more:

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Pro Tip! Use the SEO Tools Checklist to discover the best SEO software and resources for improving website visibility.

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• Google Search Console – Track search performance and optimization opportunities
• Semrush – Keyword research, backlink tracking, content audit, and SEO analysis
• Ahrefs – Backlink analysis, organic traffic data, and content explorer
• Screaming Frog – Crawl site to identify SEO issues
• Google PageSpeed Insights – Check site performance on mobile and desktop
• Yoast Search Engine Optimization– Optimize WordPress sites for search engines
• Alexa Website Rank – Track website traffic competitiveness
• Google Keyword Planner – Get keyword suggestions and search volumes

These are the essential free and paid tools to add to your SEO toolkit.

Now, let’s answer some common Search Engine Optimization questions.

FAQs on SEO and Voice Search Optimization

1. What’s better – SEO agency or in-house SEO?

For best results, take a blended approach with in-house execution for ongoing optimization plus a SEO agency guiding high-level strategy.

2. How long does SEO take to work?

Expect at least 3-6 months for newly optimized pages to start ranking, provided they are technically sound and have good backlink profiles.

3. Is SEO worth investing in?

Yes, SEO delivers an unmatched ROI compared to paid search. Just $1 invested in SEO can drive $2-$3 in incremental sales on average.

4. How is voice search optimization different from regular SEO?

Voice search requires conversational keywords, short answers, speedy page load, and structured markups vs. traditional keyword-focused optimization.

Hope this detailed guide helps you optimize for both voice search and regular organic search traffic!

Learn more about (SEO) best practices; • Book a Strategy Session with Our Search Engine Optimization Experts.

To improve your website’s SEO and drive more organic traffic to your site, follow The suggested procedures outlined in this blog post. Your SEO approach should be reviewed and refined on a regular basis to keep up with shifting SE algorithms and user behavior. For further guidance on optimizing your website for search engines, reach out to Digital ByteTeck today.