Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing trend of location-based searches, with more than 80% occurring on mobile devices. Due to this, many of the keywords we recommend have been based on “near me” and town name searches that help our clients appear near the top of the listed results for potential patients in their primary area. However, as is so often the case, search patterns are changing. To ensure that our clients, and we, remain competitive, we need to consider the impact voice search will have on the future of online marketing.
Within the past year, over 60% of smartphone users report that they have begun to use voice search. The increased accuracy of modern voice recognition software has caused voice searches to evolve from a rare occurrence to billions of queries every week, and rising. Though currently only about 10% of all searches are voice-based, that number is expected to continue to increase rapidly.
Why does the search method matter? Keyword search results can vary wildly with even minor variations in word choice and word order. Voice search adds a layer of complexity into that mix. Put simply, voice searches primarily involve natural speech, not keywords. This makes voice searches tend to be longer and more detailed than typed queries. As an example, the searches “dentist near me” and “I’m looking for a dentist near me” yield very different results despite occurring in the same location and on the same device.
What’s the next step? Arrange a meeting with us to discuss your 2017 marketing strategy. Depending on your location and local competition, you may benefit from investing in additional SEO techniques designed to embrace new voice search trends. For more information or to schedule your consultation, contact our office.
