Story Based Question
Imagine you’ve just optimized your website for voice search. You’ve added long-tail keywords, created content around common questions, and nailed down your local SEO strategy. But now, you’re wondering: How do I know if it’s working? You want to track how often people find you through voice search, what they’re asking, and whether they convert. You realize you need tools to measure your performance, but which ones should you use?
Exact Answer
Tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, AnswerThePublic, SEMrush, and BrightLocal can help you track voice search performance by analyzing queries, traffic, rankings, and local search visibility.
Explanation
Tracking voice search performance can be tricky since there’s no dedicated tool that separates voice search data from traditional searches. However, several tools can give you insights into how your site performs for voice-driven queries.
- Google Search Console
- Why Use It? This tool lets you analyze search queries and identify those phrased as questions or conversational language, often indicative of voice search.
- Key Features: Query reports, performance tracking, and keyword analysis.
- Google Analytics
- Why Use It? Track traffic sources and see how users interact with your site after arriving through voice-optimized keywords.
- Key Features: Behavior flow reports and conversion tracking.
- AnswerThePublic
- Why Use It? Discover commonly asked questions and phrases users might speak into their devices.
- Key Features: Topic discovery and question-based keyword suggestions.
- SEMrush
- Why Use It? Track keyword rankings, including long-tail and question-based keywords.
- Key Features: Position tracking, competitor analysis, and keyword research tools.
- BrightLocal
- Why Use It? Ideal for local businesses, it measures how well you’re performing in local “near me” searches and voice-activated queries.
- Key Features: Local rankings, review tracking, and citation audits.
- Schema Markup Testing Tool
- Why Use It? Test and verify the structured data you’ve added to your website, ensuring search engines can interpret your content accurately.
Example
Let’s say you own a bakery. After optimizing your site for queries like “Where can I buy fresh croissants near me?” you decide to track performance:
- Step 1: In Google Search Console, you notice a spike in queries like “best croissants near downtown.” You also see that your page is ranking higher for these queries.
- Step 2: Using Google Analytics, you discover these visitors spend an average of 3 minutes on your site and frequently visit your “Contact Us” page, suggesting high engagement.
- Step 3: BrightLocal reports an increase in visibility for local searches, with your bakery now ranking second for “bakery near me.”
- Step 4: AnswerThePublic helps you find new opportunities, like adding a blog post about “What makes the perfect croissant?” based on popular questions.
These insights confirm that your voice search strategy is paying off and guide your next steps.
Tracking voice search performance requires a mix of tools. Use them to monitor queries, traffic, and rankings, then refine your strategy based on the data. With consistent tracking, you’ll stay ahead in the evolving voice search landscape.