In today’s digital-first world, search engines aren’t just reading text—they’re listening and watching too. With the rise of short-form videos (like Reels), podcasts, and voice search assistants, it’s critical to adapt your SEO strategy. Voice & video SEO is now essential for brands and creators who want to stay visible and relevant. In this blog, we’ll break down how to optimise your content for voice SEO, video SEO, and podcast SEO—so your brand gets found wherever people are listening or watching.
Table of Contents
What is Voice & Video SEO?
Voice & video SEO is the process of optimising audio and video content so it appears in search results—whether that’s through Google voice searches, YouTube queries, podcast directories, or short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. Unlike traditional SEO, it requires focusing on conversational language, media transcripts, metadata, and cross-platform optimisation.
Voice SEO: Optimising for Voice Search
With over 40% of adults using voice search daily, optimising for voice SEO is no longer optional.
Tips for Voice SEO:
- Use conversational keywords – Voice searches are longer and more natural.
- Answer direct questions – Create FAQ-style content.
- Optimise for local search – Most voice searches are location-based.
- Use schema markup – Helps search engines understand your content context.
Pro Tip: Structure your content with headers that match common voice queries like “What is…” or “How to…”
Video SEO: Making Reels & Short Videos Discoverable
Platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok now act as search engines. Here’s how to master video SEO:
Tips for Video SEO:
- Use relevant keywords in video titles, captions, and descriptions.
- Add subtitles and transcripts – They improve accessibility and indexability.
- Create engaging thumbnails – Increases click-through rates.
- Optimise video length – Short, high-retention videos tend to perform better.
Pro Tip: Repurpose long-form videos into shorter, optimised reels for broader reach.
Podcast SEO: Rank Your Audio Content
Podcasts are exploding in popularity, but many creators overlook podcast SEO.
Tips for Podcast SEO:
- Include keywords in your episode titles and descriptions.
- Write detailed show notes – Google indexes this text.
- Submit to multiple directories – Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts.
- Embed episodes on your website with schema markup.
Pro Tip: Add timestamps in show notes to help listeners (and search engines) navigate your content easily.
Final Thoughts: Focus on Findability
Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or business owner, investing in voice SEO, video SEO, and podcast SEO is key to long-term discoverability. Focus on creating high-quality, optimised multimedia content that aligns with how users consume and search today.
The future of search is not just typed—it’s spoken, watched, and listened to. Make sure your brand is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is voice SEO and why is it important?
Voice SEO refers to optimising your content so it can be found through voice-activated searches using devices like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant. It’s important because voice search is growing rapidly, and users often speak differently than they type. Optimising for voice improves your chances of being featured in voice search results or answer boxes.
2. How do I optimise my Reels and short videos for SEO?
To optimise Reels and short-form videos for video SEO:
1. Use relevant keywords in the title, captions, and hashtags.
2. Include subtitles or captions to help both viewers and search engines.
3. Choose strong thumbnail images and attention-grabbing titles.
4. Post consistently and engage with viewers in comments.
3. Can podcasts be optimised for search engines?
Yes! Podcast SEO involves optimising episode titles, descriptions, and show notes with target keywords. Adding transcripts, submitting your podcast to multiple platforms, and embedding episodes on your site with schema markup also helps boost discoverability.
4. What are the best keywords to use for voice and video SEO?
The best keywords are:
1. Conversational long-tail keywords (e.g., “How do I start a podcast?”)
2. Question-based queries for voice SEO
3. Platform-specific keywords for video SEO (e.g., “Instagram Reels tips”)
5. Branded and niche terms your audience is likely to speak or search for
5. How do I make my content more discoverable on voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant?
1. Use structured data like schema markup.
2. Answer common questions clearly within your content.
3. Optimise your site for mobile and page speed.
4. Ensure your Google My Business and other listings are up to date (especially for local voice searches).
6. Is adding transcripts to my podcast or video necessary?
Absolutely. Transcripts:
1. Improve accessibility
2. Help search engines index your audio/video content
3. Provide text that can be optimised with keywords
4. Can be reused for blog posts or social media content
7. How does voice search differ from traditional search?
Voice search is:
1. More conversational and question-based
2. Often longer in phrasing
3. Frequently used for local and immediate answers
4. More likely to return featured snippets or direct answers
5 Understanding these differences helps shape your SEO strategy more effectively.
8. Which tools can help with voice and video SEO?
Some great tools include:
1. Google Search Console – for keyword and performance tracking
2. AnswerThePublic – for voice-style question queries
3. YouTube Studio – to optimise video SEO
4. Podbean or Buzzsprout – for podcast hosting and SEO
5. Otter.ai or Descript – for creating transcripts
