You’ve probably heard the buzz—adding an audio version of your blog posts could be the next big SEO hack. More engagement, better rankings, a golden ticket to Google’s top spots… right?

Well, not so fast.

In a recent SEO office hours session, Google’s own Martin Splitt shut down the idea that audio alone could give your pages an SEO boost.

His verdict?

"I don’t think it will… I think it is a good thing for the user, though, so I would definitely do it—but not for SEO reasons.”

Translation: If you’re expecting search engines to reward you just for slapping an audio file onto your blog, you’re in for a reality check.

But here’s where it gets interesting—what if audio helps your website in ways Google isn’t measuring directly?

Why Audio Won’t Magically Boost Your Rankings

First, let’s get one thing straight: Google doesn’t rank pages based on whether or not they have an audio version.

Its algorithms care about:

Content relevance – Are you actually answering the user’s question?
User intent – Does your page solve the problem they searched for?
Engagement signals – Are people sticking around, or bouncing off immediately?

A blog with an audio version might enhance the experience, but Google isn’t giving out ranking points just because you added sound.

So, does that mean audio content is useless?

Not even close.

Why You Should Still Add Audio to Your Blog

While it won’t directly push your page higher in search results, audio can work in your favor in ways Google does care about.

Here’s how:

Catering to a Wider Audience – Not everyone reads blog posts. Some people listen while driving, exercising, or cooking. Others may have visual impairments or find it easier to process information through sound.
Keeping Visitors on Your Page Longer – Imagine this: A visitor lands on your page, but instead of skimming and bouncing, they hit play on your audio version. Boom—longer session time. And what does Google love? Pages where users actually stick around.
Encouraging Shares & Backlinks – The easier your content is to consume, the more likely people are to share it. A well-executed audio blog might land you some extra links—and backlinks are SEO gold.
Creating a Richer Experience – Let’s be real—reading long blocks of text can be exhausting. Audio adds variety and makes content more engaging, dynamic, and digestible.

The Real SEO Strategy? Think Beyond the Algorithm

SEO isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about creating content that’s useful, enjoyable, and easy to consume.

Splitt’s comment was a reminder that Google doesn’t reward gimmicks—it rewards value.

If audio makes your content better for your audience, then it’s worth it.
If you’re adding it just to game the system, don’t bother.

Should You Invest in Audio Content?

Let’s break it down:

Add audio if you want to make your content more accessible, keep people on your site longer, or provide an alternative way for users to consume your posts.
Skip it if you’re only doing it in hopes of a quick SEO win.