Today, I want to have a little chat about something that’s been around for a while (we actually flagged this 6 years back), but it’s getting more and more important to factor into your overall SEO strategy. It’s called Voice Search SEO.
Whether you’re running your own business, managing a website, or just curious about how to keep up with constant SEO changes, keep reading.
What’s Voice Search SEO?
Voice Search SEO is all about optimising your website and content so it shows up when people use voice search on their devices to search the web. So, things like Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, etc.
Instead of typing ‘best pizza on the Wirral’ into Google, some people might say, ‘Where can I get the best pizza near me?’ That difference in how we speak v.s how we type has a massive impact on SEO.
And let me tell you, voice search is not a passing trend. It’s becoming a staple in how people find information online. That means if you want your business to be found, voice search SEO needs to start being part of your strategy.
Why does Voice Search matter?
A few stats to give you some perspective:
- According to recent research, over 40% of adults use voice search daily.
- It’s estimated that roughly 20% of all online searches are now voice-based.
- Devices that enable you to voice search are going up. For example, an Alexa Echo has shown strong growth in sale year on year.
Basically, voice search is becoming much more than just a ‘nice to have’. People are relying more and more on voice assistants to make decisions, buy products, and find local businesses. If your site isn’t optimised for how people speak, you’re potentially missing out on a big chunk of traffic.
What Did Google Say About It At their I/O 2025 Event?
At the 2025 I/O event, Google’s focus was on integrating advanced AI (particularly the Gemini models) across its products, including search. They didn’t exactly single out voice search as the central them but it did unveil several features that make voice and conversational interaction a much more natural part of the search experience.
AI Mode in Search
Google introduced an all-new AI Mode for Search, designed to handle longer, more complex, and conversational queries.
Early testers have been using queries that are longer than what we would consider traditional searches, and they’re often including follow-up questions, mirroring natural conversation now. This new mode is available as a tab within Search and is powered by the latest Gemini models, which provide fast, high-quality, and contextually aware responses.
Gemini Live
Google launched Gemini Live, a feature that allows users to interact with Gemini using voice commands, camera input, and text.
This enables dynamic, ongoing conversations with the AI, where users can ask follow-up questions, reference what their camera sees, and switch topics mid-query. Gemini Live is designed to facilitate hands-free, multimodal interaction, making AI assistance more conversational and fluid.
For the Developers
Gemini 2.5 Flash now supports native audio dialogue via the Live API. So, what this means is that it allows developers to build applications that ‘hear and speak’ in 24 languages. This upgrade improves the model’s ability to handle conversational flow and ignore stray sounds, which will lead to more natural back-and-forth voice experiences.
So, although Google’s not explicitly saying everything is now voice-first, what they’re doing (in my humble opinion!) is clearly redesigning the search experience to be more conversational, intuitive, and multimodal. And that’s where voice is a key component, alongside text and visual input, of course.
How is Voice Search different from the SEO We Know?
Voice search changes things in a few key ways.
It’s Much More Conversational
When we type, we tend to be brief and to the point. But when we talk, we use full sentences and natural language. So, instead of typing ‘weather Wirral’, when you’re doing a voice search, it’s probably more similar to ‘What’s the weather like on the Wirral this weekend?’
It’s Often a Question and/Or Locally Based
It’s not 100% always, but voice searches do tend to usually start with words like who, what, where, when, why, or how. That means your content should aim to answer those questions.
A huge portion of voice searches are location-specific. So, if you’re a local business, this could be gold for you.
How to Optimise for Voice Search SEO
Right, let’s get to the practical stuff. Here are some simple but effective ways to start optimising your site for voice search:
Try Focusing on Natural Language and Long-tail Keywords
Think about how people actually speak. Use conversational phrases and longer keyword strings. For example, instead of ‘Wirral bakery’, go for something like ‘Where can I find a nice bakery on the Wirral?’
Check Your Site Speed
Voice search is usually done on mobile devices, and speed really does matter. If your site takes ages to load, people (and Google) will bounce. Compress your images, minimise any bulky or unneeded code, and make sure your hosting is all up to scratch.
Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
This one sounds techy, but it’s not. It’s basically what helps search engines understand your content better. It can improve your chances of being featured in snippets, which are those little boxes at the top of Google results. These are often what are read out loud by voice assistants because they’re looking for a quick and relevant answer to whatever you’ve asked.
Answer Common Questions
Create content that answers the questions your audience is likely to ask. So your FAQ page on your website is brilliant for this. You can even write blog posts that are structured around specific questions too.
Get Your Local SEO Spot On
Make sure your Google business profile is up to date. Include accurate business hours, location info, and services. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews. All of this really does help with visibility in voice searches over time.
Side note – if you’re struggling to increase your Google reviews, we’d highly recommend Tap On Reviews if you have a physical in-store location. Makes it so much easier!
What Kind of Content Works Best for Voice Search SEO?
Any kind of content that’s helpful, clear, and to the point. So:
- FAQs
- How-to guides
- Local service pages
- Blog posts answering specific questions
Try structuring your content using headings and bullet points to make it easily skimmable.
Don’t Forget About Mobile-Friendliness!
Since most voice searches happen on mobile, your site needs to look and work great on smartphones and tablets. A responsive design is really a non-negotiable now. If your site’s hard to navigate on a small screen, it’s time for an update.
Be Human
Here at Maxweb, we always say write for people first, search engines second. Voice search SEO is really just another way to connect with your target audience more naturally. The more helpful, human, and relevant your content is, the better. That’s actually nothing new either!
So, Is Focusing On Voice Search SEO Really Worth It?
In a word, yes. Voice search is changing the way people find and interact with information online. If your site isn’t keeping up, you could be missing out on visibility, traffic, and also potential customers.
With (literally) only a few tweaks, a bit of strategy, and a focus on quality content, you can absolutely optimise for voice search.
If you need a hand getting started or just want a chat about how Voice Search SEO fits into your marketing strategy, we’re always here to help. Drop us a line and let’s talk about getting your site talking – literally!
Posted on Friday, May 23rd, 2025 in Latest News.
