Story Based Question
Imagine you run a digital marketing agency for a growing e-commerce brand that sells eco-friendly home products. You’ve optimized their website for voice search, but you’re not sure if it’s truly making a difference. You need to keep up with shifting trends because voice search behavior changes over time.
Your team asks: “How can we track voice search trends and see if our strategy is working over time?”
This leads to the key question: How do you track voice search trends over time?
Exact Answer
To track voice search trends over time, monitor keyword performance using tools like Google Search Console, track voice-specific queries with analytics software, analyze user behavior through voice search data, and stay updated with industry reports and news.
Explanation
Tracking voice search trends can help you fine-tune your strategy and stay ahead of changes in user behavior. Here’s how to monitor and track those trends effectively:
- Monitor Keyword Performance in Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) provides data on how your website ranks for different queries. By regularly checking your GSC account, you can identify which keywords are gaining traction and whether you’re ranking for voice search-specific long-tail keywords.- Action: In GSC, use the “Performance” tab to look for long-tail, question-based queries that typically come from voice search. For example, if you start seeing traffic from queries like “What are the best eco-friendly cleaning products?”, it’s a sign that your voice search optimization is working.
- Use Analytics Software to Track Voice-Specific Queries
Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and even Google Analytics can help you track and analyze trends in voice search queries. These tools allow you to track rankings for keywords and observe which of those keywords are most likely to appear in voice searches.- Action: Filter for long-tail keywords and questions that tend to appear in voice searches. Over time, track how the volume of these queries changes and which pages are gaining more visibility.
- Analyze User Behavior Through Voice Search Data
Voice search often comes with distinct user behavior patterns—people tend to ask questions more conversationally. By analyzing behavior through analytics tools or your site’s data, you can see if users are engaging with content through voice search queries.- Action: Look for engagement metrics like bounce rates and time on page. If you see an increase in users asking questions that lead to high engagement (such as a specific product page or blog post), it’s an indication your content is resonating with voice search queries.
- Stay Updated with Industry Reports and News
Voice search is evolving rapidly. To stay on top of trends, regularly check industry reports, news, and case studies on voice search behavior and technology. This helps you adapt to shifts in user behavior or search engine updates that affect voice search visibility.- Action: Follow blogs, attend webinars, or subscribe to newsletters that focus on voice search and AI advancements. Websites like Search Engine Journal, Moz, and Backlinko often publish insights and updates on voice search trends.
- Monitor Competitor Strategies
Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing with voice search. If they’re succeeding, you can learn from their approach and track any trends they might be tapping into.- Action: Use competitive research tools like SpyFu or SEMrush to monitor the voice-related keywords your competitors are targeting and compare them with your own keyword strategy.
Example
Let’s apply this to the eco-friendly home product brand:
Step 1: Monitor Keywords in Google Search Console
You log into Google Search Console and look at your “Performance” section. You find queries like “What are the best eco-friendly cleaning products?” and “How can I make my home more sustainable?” are driving traffic to your site. You notice an upward trend in these long-tail questions, showing that your voice search optimization is paying off.
- Action: You decide to create more content around these popular queries to expand your reach further.
Step 2: Track Voice-Specific Queries Using SEMrush
You use SEMrush to track keywords and discover that the term “eco-friendly cleaning tips” has recently gained traction in your niche. By monitoring your rankings, you see an increase in visibility for this keyword.
- Action: You optimize your existing content by adding a conversational tone and relevant questions, ensuring it answers user queries about eco-friendly cleaning methods.
Step 3: Analyze User Behavior Through Analytics
In Google Analytics, you notice that visitors who land on your blog posts (e.g., “Top 10 Eco-Friendly Products for Your Home”) tend to stay longer and interact more with the content. These users often come from voice search queries like “What are the best sustainable home products?”
- Action: You create more content focused on answering specific voice search questions, improving the user experience on your site.
Step 4: Stay Updated with Industry News
You subscribe to newsletters like Search Engine Journal and attend webinars that focus on the future of voice search and its role in e-commerce. You learn that voice search is moving towards more localized queries and AI-powered shopping experiences.
- Action: You begin focusing on optimizing for local searches, like “eco-friendly home products in [city]”, and adapting to AI changes.
Step 5: Monitor Competitor Strategies
You use SEMrush to track a competitor’s keyword strategy and discover they are ranking well for queries like “best zero-waste products for the home.”
- Action: You adjust your strategy to incorporate similar keywords, ensuring your content is more comprehensive and answers these growing voice search trends.
Tracking voice search trends requires a mix of monitoring keyword performance, analyzing user behavior, staying updated with industry changes, and studying your competitors. By using the right tools and strategies, you can keep your SEO efforts aligned with evolving voice search trends.