What is Voice Search and How it Affects Your SEO?

Voice search is changing the way people find information online. Instead of typing, users speak directly to virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant to ask questions and get instant answers.

It’s fast, hands-free, and becoming part of everyday life. Whether it’s asking for directions, checking the weather, or finding a local restaurant, voice search makes things quicker and easier.

While it has been around for years, recent advances in technology have made it more reliable and widely used. As smart devices become more common, more people are turning to voice search as their go-to method for browsing.

This shift in behaviour has big implications for search engine optimisation (SEO). Traditional keyword strategies may not work as well with voice queries, which are often longer and more conversational.

In this blog post, we’ll break down what voice search is, how it works, and how it’s transforming the way websites need to be optimised for search engines.

• Voice search is growing rapidly, transforming how people access information online.
• It’s more conversational and question-based, requiring a shift in keyword strategy.
• Long-tail keywords and natural language content are essential for optimisation.
• Featured snippets and rich snippets increase visibility in spoken results.
• Mobile-first indexing and website speed directly impact rankings.
• Local SEO is critical, as many spoken queries involve location-based intent.
• Businesses must adapt their SEO strategies to meet the unique demands of voice-based queries and stay competitive.

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Is Voice Search?
3. How Does Voice Search Work?
4. How It’s Changing SEO
   • Keyword Research & Long-Tail Queries
   • Natural Language Content
   • Featured Snippets & Rich Snippets
   • Mobile-First Indexing
   • Local SEO Considerations
5. How to Optimise for Voice Queries
   • Use Conversational Language
   • Target Long-Tail Keywords
   • Structure for Snippets
   • Improve Speed and Mobile UX
6. Get Voice-Search Ready with TopRankings
7. FAQ: Voice Search & SEO

Voice search is a speech recognition technology that enables users to search the internet using voice commands instead of typing queries. It allows users to interact with their devices more naturally and intuitively without typing on a keyboard or touch screen. Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant use voice search technology to interpret user queries and provide answers to questions.

It has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and ease of use. Users can perform a search while driving, cooking, or doing other activities that require the use of their hands. It also enables users to search for information faster and more efficiently without the need to type long queries.

Voice search works by using speech recognition technology to interpret the user’s spoken words and convert them into text. This text is then used to perform a search query, which a search engine processes to retrieve relevant results. Here’s how the process works in more detail:

1. The user activates the virtual assistant using a wake word or pressing a button.
2. The virtual assistant listens to the user’s voice and converts it into text.
3. The text is sent to a search engine, which processes the query and retrieves relevant results.
4. The virtual assistant reads out the results to the user.

The entire process takes only a few seconds and enables users to retrieve information quickly and easily. Virtual assistants use sophisticated algorithms to interpret spoken queries and retrieve relevant results. These algorithms are constantly evolving, becoming more accurate and able to understand more complex queries over time.

Voice search is changing the way users find information and how search engines display results. Here’s how it impacts SEO:

Voice search queries tend to be longer and more conversational than text-based queries. Users are more likely to ask a question in a natural language than to type in a few keywords. This means that keyword research and optimisation need to take into account the unique characteristics of its queries.

Long-tail keywords are particularly important for voice search optimisation. These are longer and more specific keyword phrases that are less competitive than broad keywords. They enable websites to rank for more specific queries and are more likely to match the natural language.

Voice search queries are more likely to be in the form of a question, so it’s essential to create content that provides answers to these questions. The content should be written in a natural language and provide concise and accurate information that satisfies the user’s query.

One way to optimise natural language queries is to use structured data markup. This enables search engines to understand the content and provide more relevant results to its queries. Rich snippets, which provide additional information about the content, can also be used to enhance search results and increase click-through rates.

Featured snippets are the highlighted results that appear at the top of the search engine results page. They provide a concise answer to the user’s query, making them an important part of voice search optimisation. By providing a clear and concise answer to the user’s question, featured snippets can help websites rank higher in voice search results.

Rich snippets, on the other hand, provide additional information about the content on the page, such as reviews, ratings, and prices. These snippets can enhance the results and increase click-through rates, making them an important part of voice search optimisation.

Mobile-first indexing has become increasingly important for SEO with the rise of mobile devices and virtual assistants. Mobile-first indexing means that Google primarily uses the mobile version of a website’s content to rank pages. This is because most voice searches are performed on mobile devices, making mobile optimisation critical for its success.

To optimise for mobile-first indexing, websites should ensure that their pages load quickly, have a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and are easy to navigate on a mobile device.

Many voice-based queries are local. People often ask things like, “Where’s the nearest coffee shop?” or “What’s open near me?” This makes local SEO a key strategy for businesses with a physical location.

Start by making sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are correct and consistent across all platforms—Google Business Profile, directories, and your website. Inaccurate details can hurt your visibility.

Next, create local content. Write blog posts about nearby events, local attractions, or community updates. This helps your site show up in location-based queries.

Also, use location-specific keywords. Phrases like “Melbourne bakery” or “plumber in Sydney” can increase your chances of being found through voice assistants.

When you focus on local SEO, you improve your chances of appearing in voice results—and getting discovered by nearby customers looking for what you offer.

To optimise, focus on these key areas:

As mentioned earlier, voice search queries tend to be more conversational than text-based queries. Websites should create content that answers users’ questions in a natural language and provides concise and accurate information. Content should be structured in a way that reflects how users ask questions, with headings that use question phrases and short paragraphs that provide clear and concise answers.

Long-tail keywords are essential for voice search optimisation. Websites should focus on using longer and more specific keyword phrases that reflect the natural language of their queries. This can help websites rank for more specific queries and increase their chances of appearing in voice search results. 

By incorporating long-tail keywords into their content, businesses can effectively optimise their website for voice search and better meet the needs of their audience.

Featured snippets are critical for voice search optimisation, as they provide a clear and concise answer to the user’s question. Websites should structure their content in a way that is easy for search engines to understand and provides a clear answer to the user’s question. Headings and subheadings should be used to break up the content into digestible chunks, and bullet points and lists can be used to provide additional information.

Website speed and mobile friendliness are essential for voice search optimisation. Websites should ensure their pages load quickly and are easy to navigate on a mobile device. This can be achieved by using a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes, compressing images and videos, and using caching and other optimisation techniques.

Google has confirmed that website speed and mobile-friendliness are ranking factors, making it crucial for businesses to prioritise these elements in their SEO strategy to improve their chances of appearing in voice search results.

Voice search is growing in popularity, and websites need to optimise their content to stay competitive. To do this, focus on creating conversational content, using long-tail keywords, structuring your content for featured snippets, and improving website speed and mobile-friendliness. These strategies will boost your chances of appearing in voice search results and help you reach a wider audience.

If you are looking for a dependable and proficient SEO agency in Melbourne, TopRankings is the best option. We have an established record of achieving results for clients across various industries. We are the leading option Melbourne businesses trust to enhance their online visibility and drive more traffic to their website.

To discover how we can assist your business in expanding, contact us today to learn more about our SEO services. We have the knowledge and proficiency to help you accomplish your goals, whether you’re aiming to boost your search engine rankings, increase website traffic, or generate more leads and sales.

What is the main difference between voice and text search?

Voice queries are typically longer, more conversational, and often phrased as questions. This requires a different content and keyword strategy than traditional typed searches.

Why is voice search important for SEO?

As more users rely on voice-enabled assistants, search engines prioritise content that answers natural-language queries clearly and concisely. Optimising for voice helps businesses stay visible in evolving SERPs.

How can I make my website more voice-search friendly?

Focus on long-tail keywords, use a natural writing tone, answer questions clearly, improve mobile responsiveness, and aim for featured snippets.

Does voice search affect local businesses?

Yes, significantly. Many voice commands involve local intent, such as “best Italian restaurant near me.” Optimising local SEO—especially NAP consistency and location keywords—is crucial.

What tools help track voice search performance?

While direct voice search tracking is limited, tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, and Ahrefs can help identify question-based queries and measure performance of long-tail keywords.