For Subscribers

Should You Worry About Voice Search? With more people speaking into their devices, businesses need to rethink their websites.

By Mikal E. Belicove

This story appears in the May 2016 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Shutterstock

Maybe you've seen the "OK Google" ads, where people open Google's app and conversationally ask what they once would have typed. ("OK, Google, what magazine has the best business advice?") Apple, Amazon and Microsoft have similar products, and voice searches are now growing. Pete Meyers, a marketing scientist for Seattle-based inbound marketing and analytics company Moz, says this little change may mean big things for your site -- so it's time to start planning.

1. Optimize for mobile.

If you haven't done that already, here's a good reminder: Do. It. Now. "Google wants and rewards websites that load quickly and instantly adapt to screen size with better search rankings," says Meyers. "And we expect Google to increase the advantage they give mobile-friendly sites in the coming months and years."

2 . Become your customer.

"If you don't figure out voice search now, you'll be left behind in a few years," Meyers says. So get used to it: Start using Siri and Google Voice exclusively when doing your own searches so you get a feel for voice search's nuances -- and limitations. That way, he says, you'll begin understanding what your site needs to do to adapt.

3. Refine your language.

In older web days, you had to load up your site with keywords and meta-tags. But now, says Meyers, "your website's content should answer a question -- and it should be part of your web page's headline and first couple lines of text." That's for two reasons: People use specific language when they talk, and with voice-activated search results, only one snippet is read back to you. For example, if someone asks, "Where can I get artisan Neapolitan pizza?" a site headlined "handmade pizza" may not make the cut.

Mikal E. Belicove is a market positioning, social media, and management consultant specializing in website usability and business blogging. His latest book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook, is now available at bookstores. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here's What Companies and Services Are Open and Closed on Juneteenth 2025

Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

This Founder Noticed a Stark Change at a Local Pride Parade — and Says It Creates a 'Real Opportunity' for Small Businesses

Tanner Graham, co-founder and CEO of General Idea, reveals how business leaders can step up this month and beyond.

Business News

AI Is Going to 'Replace Everybody' in Several Fields, According to the 'Godfather of AI.' Here's Who He Says Should Be 'Terrified.'

Geoffrey Hinton, called the "Godfather of AI" due to his pioneering work on AI, says some fields face a heavier risk of replacement due to automation.

Business News

The U.S. Added Over 1,000 New Millionaires a Day in 2024. Here's How That Compares to the Rest of the World.

UBS revealed its latest report on global wealth on Wednesday, which looks back on wealth trends.

Business News

Meta Is Trying to Poach OpenAI Employees With 'Giant' $100 Million Offers, Sam Altman Says

Open AI CEO Sam Altman claims Meta has attempted to recruit "a lot" of his employees.