When Google introduced the Hummingbird semantic search algorithm, it changed the way we search the Internet, including voice search. This facilitated the search engine’s ability to pick up semantic nuances in Google searches. It’s always been difficult for Google’s algorithms to see implied meanings or user intent, but with Hummingbird, it’s become increasingly possible. Now Google can pick up on vague search intent and deliver better search results – including voice search.
Integration with other Google products
Google first activated Google Maps voice search on the Blackberry Pearl smartphone – before voice search was properly launched in the search engine itself. It’s now fully integrated into the app, making it much easier to find directions while driving.
Google Mobile’s voice search feature was first updated in 2008 on the iPhone. About a year later, cell phone models like the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G began using one-touch voice search, which is now a common and widespread feature on a variety of phone models.
SEO: How to Optimize for Voice Search
Optimizing for voice search is essentially similar to previous SEO optimization, but with an improved focus. Here’s how voice search marketing will change the digital marketing landscape and what you can do to prepare:
- Featured Snippets are preferred in Google voice search;
- Google search results according to social media best practices.
When you ask the voice assistant a question, it reads the Featured Snippet of your search query . If you’re not too familiar with Featured Snippets , they are search results that appear above Google’s organic results in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
It is important to understand why you need to start caring about On-SERP SEO so that you can start effectively optimizing your content to reach the Featured Snippet on the Google search engine results page. Businesses need to start thinking about a voice strategy and optimize their content for voice search.
How to organize your content for voice search SEO:
- create content to answer specific questions;
- organize the content in a question and answer format;
- ensure that high quality content is produced.
Looking to the future, featured snippets will be more valued and the competition to get a spot at the top of the search engines will only increase.
For devices and platforms that use voice control/voice search
Each technology company has developed its own voice search platforms and devices. Let’s take a quick look at each of these resources and how they work.
Siri
Siri is Apple’s voice assistant available on all of the company’s devices. It is an extremely useful tool that many users may not be using to its full potential. With voice commands, it can search for all kinds of information, send messages, set reminders and appointments, and much more. Siri is designed to prompt you to rephrase and narrow down your search if it doesn’t understand your request.
Google Home
Google Home is the search giant’s addition to the smart speaker market. It features Google Voice Assistant. It’s powered by the wake-up words “Hey Google” or “OK Google,” which you’re probably familiar with from your mobile devices.