In the bustling metropolis of Austin, TX, home to our full-service marketing agency, we take a moment to contemplate the future. An era of voice commands, smart devices, and seamless interactions with our technology is no longer just a figment of science fiction but a reality that is rapidly transforming the way we live, work, and, most notably, search. The future is knocking at our door, and it sounds like the gentle hum of a voice assistant, ready to execute our commands. It's the future of voice search, and it's a topic that marketers must be ready to embrace.

A New Era of Search

"Voice search is not a trend. It's a fundamental shift in how people interact with technology," explains Dr. Janet Murray, a renowned researcher at Georgia Tech and author of "Hamlet on the Holodeck". Indeed, the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant, and Apple's Siri, just to name a few, underline this seismic shift.

By 2022, more than half of all households in the United States were projected to own a smart speaker. The number of people using voice search for daily information needs is skyrocketing. But what does this mean for marketers, especially those in Austin, TX, or anywhere for that matter, who are striving to reach their audience and stay ahead of the curve?

The Implications of Voice Search for SEO

SEO, a term familiar to any marketer, is about to get a new chapter in its playbook. The rise of voice search significantly changes how people phrase their searches. People tend to use more natural language, longer queries, and more specific requests when they use voice search, which is quite different from the short, concise phrases often typed into a search bar.

As a result, the keyword game is changing. Content will need to adapt to the conversational tone of voice search, which often sounds like a dialogue rather than a one-way request. Long-tail keywords and question-based search queries will become more prevalent as voice search continues to expand.

Kevin Urrutia, founder of Voy Media and an expert in digital marketing, weighs in, "We need to think beyond the traditional keyword approach. It’s about understanding the intent behind the voice query and delivering content that matches that intent”.

The Rising Importance of Local SEO

Did you know that voice searches are three times more likely to be local? That's right, when people use voice search, they're often looking for something nearby. This is fantastic news for businesses, especially in vibrant local markets like Austin, TX. But it also means that local SEO is more important than ever.

Local businesses need to ensure their online presence is fully optimized for voice search. This includes making sure their Google My Business listing is up-to-date, as voice search devices often pull information from there. It also means ensuring that their website content includes local keywords and information.

Voice Search and Website Design

The rise of voice search also has implications for website design. A website optimized for voice search needs to load quickly, as voice assistants prioritize fast-loading sites. The site should also be mobile-friendly, as many voice searches are conducted on mobile devices.

Moreover, structuring content in a way that's easy for voice assistants to read and understand is crucial. This might mean including more bullet points, short paragraphs, and headings.

Wrapping Up

The future of voice search presents a myriad of opportunities for marketers. As we navigate this new landscape, we must not forget the lessons of the past, but we also must be willing to adapt and innovate.

In the words of renowned marketer Seth God "All innovation is doing it wrong again and again until you get it right. But once you've gotten it right, your tribe will become your most loyal advocates"​1​. Voice search is no exception to this. As marketers, we have the exciting challenge of navigating this new frontier of voice search and crafting our strategies to meet its demands.

The future is here, and it's time we lend it our ears. As we embrace voice search, we have the opportunity to engage our audiences in new, more conversational ways, making our content more accessible and more relevant than ever before. Austin, TX, we're ready. Are you?