Google Announces That Voice-Based Search Is Increasing

Using a virtual assistant or similar voice-activated device to get information is not a new concept. What is new is the increased accuracy of the results people get when asking questions or giving commands. Because of reliability that can be as high as 90-95 percent and the convenience of being able to speak instead of type, Google reports that voice search is on the rise. The San Diego SEO specialists at Saba SEO discuss voice-based activity and its impact on search engine optimization.

An Increase in Mobile Voice Search Activity

Google says 20 percent of all queries on its mobile app and Android devices are voice searches, which isn’t all that surprising considering Google Assistant is now available on more than 400 million devices. Mobile voice-related searches are also three times more likely to be locally based than traditional text-based (typed) searches.

More Voice-Activated Actions Are Now Available

Google has gone a step further by integrating an assortment of third-party transactional services into its Google Home smart speakers, such as Uber, Open Table, and Ticketmaster. As a result, people can use voice commands to do everything from making a restaurant reservation to ordering a shared ride.

Voice Search Appeals to Searchers of All Ages

Millennials love voice search, with 25 percent of people between the ages of 16 and 24 already using voice search on their mobile devices. However, 40 percent of adults are also using voice search every day, suggesting it’s an appealing option for searchers of all ages. Other statistics reveal that:

• 35 times more voice queries were performed via Google in 2016 than in 2008
• One out of every five Android searches is voice-related
• Approximately 25 percent of searches performed on the Windows 10 taskbar are voice-activated
• Nearly 70 percent of people who use Google Home or similar smart speaker devices say they can’t imagine going back to life without such technology
• More than 50 percent of online shoppers report using or planning to use some type of voice-responsive technology

The Trend Is Not a Passing Fad

Whether it’s with Siri, Alexa, Google Home, or some other type of voice-activated method, there are many ways people can perform voice searches. And voice search doesn’t look like it’s going to be a passing fad. By 2020, half of all searches may be voice-activated. It’s also predicted that 30 percent of all searches could soon be done without a screen.

What does all of this increased voice searching mean for marketers and businesses? For SEO purposes, it means getting more conversational with keywords and using location-suggesting words like “near me” since most voice searches are local and based on the speaker’s detected location.

If you want your business to benefit from voice search, turn to Saba SEO. As a leading San Diego SEO agency, we offer search engine optimization, web design, content development, and social media marketing services to businesses all over the globe. Our experts utilize a wide variety of white hat tactics to boost your local and organic SEO and increase your online visibility. Whether you need a review of your existing marketing plan or a new SEO strategy, give us a call at 858-951-1717 today.