With the sudden and rapid rise in voice-enabled search through smartphones, smart watches, tablets, and other devices, there are genuine concerns about the impact of this on the affiliate market. But will search voice end the affiliate marketing? It seems not. Though it will have serious implications for SEO.
In this blog, we will discuss the main features of voice search and the way it is impacting online affiliate marketing. In the end, we will suggest some actionable tips on how to optimize digital online affiliate efforts in 2023 with the help of Voice Search.
First, we see what voice research is. Ready?
Let’s get started!
What is Voice Search:
It is the latest technology that enables users to perform internet searches by speaking directly into their voice-enabled devices. Instead of typing their queries into search engines, they can conveniently find their answer with the help of this technology.
But how does Voice Search Work?
It uses voice recognition technology to convert human words into text, then processes this text with the help of the Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm for generating search results on search engine result pages. Numerous means for available for using Voice Search such as smartphones, smart watches, smart speakers, and Virtual Assistants.
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Cortana are some popularly-used voices search platforms.
How Much is Popular Voice Search?
Convenience, fast results, natural language queries, increased accessibility, and local search optimization have made voice search extremely popular. For instance:
- More than 1 billion voice searches are made every month.
- In the USA, more than 51% of online customers use voice searching for helping them discover and find their desired shopping products.
- Almost 71% of consumers prefer to use voice search assistants over typing.
- In the United States, 68% of people use voice search-enabled devices for finding quick facts.
These facts show how popular voice search has become among internet users. Now we will explore how much it is different from traditional text-based searches.
Voice Search vs Traditional Text-Based Searches:
There are key differences between voice search-enabled queries and traditional ways of discovering and finding answers. Understanding these differences is important for knowing how this technology is going to impact digital affiliate marketing strategy.
1- Length of Queries:
The first important difference is the length of the query. Voice search queries are created more conversationally. Therefore, the spoken words used for voice searching are long-tail keywords, ranging from 6 to more words.
2- Natural Language:
Voice searches are more conversational and natural than text submissions. It is because people are likely to speak complete sentences when speaking unlike when they type queries in search engines. For instance, instead of typing a cake recipe, people would likely say to give natural language commands like Hi Google, how can I make a cake or What is the recipe for a cake, etc.
3- Localized Search:
Multiple studies suggest that voice search is conducted for more local resources. It is because people are likely to find information about businesses or service which is the nearest to them. Users often ask “Hey Google, where is the nearest coffee shop” and the like searches.
Having understood the key differences, it is now time to come to the main point. We are now digging deeper into the question of whether Voice Search is going to end online affiliate marketing and what challenges it is posing it.
Will Voice Search End Digital Affiliate Marketing?
The answer is no, obviously, but there is no denying that voice search has altered the practices of online affiliate marketing strategy. Here are some ways in which voice search is forcing online affiliate marketers to change their tactics and channels.
1- Reduced Search Results and Fierce Competition for Visibility:
Compared to traditional text-based queries, voice search generates one answer or a featured snippet. In traditional searching, a long list of results is shown on SERPs. This implies that affiliate marketers now have to strive for improved visibility. They now have to work harder to rank their website higher and among the top-recommended options for capturing the attention of internet users.
2- Changed User Behavior:
Voice Search-enabled devices have changed user behavior as well. As has earlier been mentioned that text submissions are shorter keywords and phrases, unlike voice search queries which are long-tail. The voice search-based inquiries are more in a natural and conversational style. They contain interrogative questions and the like features.
Now affiliate marketers will have to change the relevant keywords and adapt SEO to this changed user behavior. That is another challenge that has to be dealt with. The long-tail keywords and phrases are harder to target for search engine optimization. It has made the task of affiliate marketing more challenging and tough.
3- Lack of Visual Elements:
Another challenge linked with voice search is the lack of visual display that accompanies text-based search. The visual display helps a lot for affiliate marketing professionals to show products more engagingly. Now that, there is no visual content to display, the affiliate marketing experts will have to explore alternative ways to showcase the products and convey information in a voice-only environment.
4- Featured Snippets and Reduction in Organic Traffic:
Featured Snippets or Position Zero are the direct and concise answers which are displayed at the top of the result page of search engines. They are concise and designed in a way to reduce the need of going through the websites. Since voice search emphasizes featured snippets, the increasing use of voice-search platforms means that there will be a reduction in organic traffic.
Therefore, online digital marketing experts will have to find alternative methods to effectively adapt to the featured snippets to remain top players in the age of voice search-enabled devices.
5- Challenges for Less Known Brands:
Voice assistants are prone to recommending products and services from a well-known brand or trusted source. These default recommendations of well-reputed brands or brand exclusivity create a serious challenge. The smaller brands, smaller affiliates, or niche brands would find it hard to compete with established industry leaders.
Hence, it is a great challenge for affiliate marketers to establish the authority and trustworthiness of the brand within the affiliate’s target audience. They will now work hard to convince search engines that their brand is a trusted source of acquisition of products and services.
6- Tracking and Attribution:
The difficulty in accurately attributing conversions to the affiliates’ efforts is another major challenge. This is common practice that voice assistants either handle transactions internally or cannot ensure complete transparency in referral information. This causes challenges for the affiliates to properly track the success of their efforts and earn commissions accordingly.
These are some challenges that are impacting affiliate marketing tactics. But the growing use of voice search-enabled platforms is also offering many opportunities as well.
Here we are going to discuss some actionable suggestions and tops to leverage voice search for optimizing affiliate marketing outcomes.
Tips on how to Optimize Affiliate Marketing Tactics for Voice Search:
Rapidly and revolutionary, voice search is changing how people search online. This has made it imperative for affiliate marketing professionals to adapt their strategies.
Here are some best possible recommendations to tap into the potential of voice search.
1- Use Natural Language Keywords and Phrases:
The first step is to use those keywords and phrases which are natural and more conversational in structure. For optimization of your websites, you must use long-tail keywords and phrases that match how people speak.
For instance, instead of using the keyword “best camera”, you should use “which is the best camera for beginners or the like.
2- Optimize for Local Search:
Most of the voice search is location-based. This fact requires a focus on local Search Engine Optimization. You should invest in local SEO strategies to effectively exploit this feature for your own business.
In this regard, you can add your business address to Google Business Maps and make sure that your website features your address and phone number. You can also use geographical segmentation to capture people looking for local searches. You can also optimize the content for local keywords and phrases for maximum effectiveness of the online affiliate marketing campaign.
3- Use FAQ-Style Content:
Structure the content on your website that addresses frequently-asked questions. You can add a comprehensive FAQ page as well as blog posts dealing the questions related to your domain or niche. The answers should be concise and clear and language should be easy to read and understand. This will help you improve your ranking and visibility in the age of voice search-enabled internet browsing.
4- Utilize Schema Markup:
Schema markup is a method of providing additional information about your website. The information thus proves helpful in the ranking and visibility of the website. This help search engine better understands your website. This in return facilitates search engines to present your information in voice search results. Hence, the schema markup improves the chances that your website appears in featured snippets.
5- Make Your Website Mobile Friendly:
Since the most of voice search is conducted through smartphones, it is important to optimize your website for mobile users. Your website should be mobile-responsive, load quickly, and offers a seamless user experience across smart devices and screens.
Mobile optimization is not only helpful for voice search, but it is also a key factor in enhancing the overall user experience.
6- Optimize the Speed and Performance of Your Website:
Leverage all possible tools and methods to make sure your website is fully optimized for both speed and performance. It should load quickly and should have faster loading times for images and videos.
7- Target Immediate Needs:
Voice search-based questions and queries are time-sensitive. You should prepare content thoroughly with the help of videos, images, testimonials, and product reviews so that the page should be landed quickly in front of internet users.
8- Use Clear and Concise Answers:
As noted earlier, voice assistants help internet users to find answers which are concise and clear. The content you publish should address commonly-asked questions in the same manner. Use a conversational tone and simply address questions.
More importantly, underline the most important information upfront, which helps voice assistants extract relevant information for voice search results.
9- Voice Search Testing and Optimization:
And finally, the most important tip: regularly test and optimize your website for voice search performance. Use different metrics such as ranking, engagement, and traffic for identifying areas for improvement. You should also stay updated with emerging trends in voice search marketing so that you can devise and implement state-of-the-art affiliate marketing strategies and tactics.
Here are some actionable tips that are key to ensuring that your website continues attracting traffic from voice search-based queries. By implementing these tips, you align your affiliate marketing efforts with voice search trends and ensure a significant boost to conversions, leads, and sales.
Conclusion:
Though voice search has significantly changed user behavior and posed challenges to online affiliate marketing, it could not eliminate the needs of digital affiliate marketing experts. They just need to adapt their strategies and make efforts to capitalize on this growing market of voice search.
The advent of voice search-enabled queries has opened many opportunities for traditional digital marketing. If marketers understand fully the subtleties of voice search marketing, innovate their tactics, and remain updated with trends, they can remain well within the markets. The experts in affiliate marketing can tap into the potential of online voice searching and reach a wide audience in this way.
In final words, internet voice search does not herald the doom of affiliate marketing, it offers new and exciting opportunities for marketers.
Adapt yourselves, a whole bunch of opportunities is waiting for you.