19 Feb, 2021
The way people search online is constantly evolving, and voice search has become one of the biggest shifts. Whether it’s Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, or ChatGPT-style tools, more people are speaking to their devices rather than typing.
Nearly 50% of local searches are now done by voice. With smart speakers and mobile voice assistants becoming part of everyday life, this trend is reshaping how businesses are discovered. But how does it work—and how can your business stay visible?
Voice Search vs. Traditional Search
Voice queries are different from traditional typed searches. Instead of typing short phrases like "pizza Berlin," users ask full questions like: "Where can I get pizza near me right now?"
This shift affects your keyword strategy. Voice searches are:
- Longer and more conversational
- Often phrased as questions (Who, What, Where, When, How)
- Frequently localized ("near me" searches)
With voice search, Google and other assistants often return only one or two spoken answers. That means being in the top spot is even more crucial.
Why It Matters for SEO, Chatbots & AI
Search engines are now more focused on understanding user intent—thanks to developments like Google's Hummingbird and BERT algorithms. These prioritize:
- Natural language processing (NLP)
- Semantic search (what people mean, not just what they type)
- Contextual factors like location, time, and device
This is relevant not just for search rankings but also for how Chatbots and AI Assistants respond to questions. These systems often pull information from high-ranking sources—so if your business isn't optimized, you risk being ignored in both voice search and chatbot results.
Voice Search and Local SEO
Voice search is especially powerful for local businesses. Studies show users are 3x more likely to search for local services by voice than by text.
Example queries:
- "Hey Google, find a vegan café near me"
- "Alexa, what's the best gym in my area?"
That means your local presence must be flawless:
- Use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info across your website and directories
- Get listed on Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Yelp, and TripAdvisor
- Use business categories and photos in your listings
These listings don’t just help users—they feed the databases of voice assistants.
How to Optimize for Voice Search
To improve your visibility in voice results, focus on the following:
- Use Natural Language and Long-Tail Keywords
- Include full questions and answers in your content
- Use phrases like "best pizza near me" or "how do I clean a leather sofa"
- Optimize Your FAQ Page
- Include real user questions with concise answers
- Format them with headers and short paragraphs
- Focus on Local SEO
- Keep your business listings consistent and accurate
- Add relevant local keywords to your website
- Improve Technical SEO
- Ensure fast load times
- Make your website mobile-friendly
- Use schema markup to help search engines understand your content
- Create Voice-Ready Content
- Structured snippets (short, clear answers) are more likely to be read aloud
- Use bullet points, how-to lists, and numbered steps
How to Get Listed in Voice Assistants
Different assistants pull data from different sources:
- Google Assistant: Google Business Profile, your website, featured snippets
- Amazon Alexa: Bing Places, Yelp
- Apple Siri: Apple Maps, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Bing
- Microsoft Cortana: Bing Places
Make sure your business is accurately listed in all relevant platforms. This is no longer just about visibility on search engines—it's about being discoverable via voice and AI.
Let rankingCoach Help
Voice search optimization can be overwhelming, but rankingCoach makes it easier:
- Automatically create consistent listings across major directories
- Keep your business info up to date with one click
- Manage your local SEO, reviews, and search rankings from a single dashboard
Want to be heard in voice search results? rankingCoach gives your business the tools to speak up—and stand out.
