Voice search is changing the way we find information online; instead of typing out searches, more and more people are simply asking their smart devices questions – whether it’s Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. This shift in how we search is shaking up SEO in a big way.
At Bigg, we’re all about helping businesses stay ahead of the game, so let’s take a look at why voice search matters, how it’s changing user behavior and – most importantly – how you can optimise your website to make the most of it.
Why Voice Search Matters
Voice search isn’t just a cool tech feature – it’s a fundamental shift in how people interact with the internet. With millions of smart speakers in homes and voice assistants built into smartphones, searching by voice has become second nature for many users. It’s faster, hands-free and often more convenient than typing.
Studies predict that in 2025, over half of all online searches will be voice-activated. This means businesses need to rethink their SEO strategies to remain visible in search results. Voice search queries tend to be longer, more conversational, and often phrased as full questions rather than short keywords. Understanding this change is the first step to helping your content stay relevant and discoverable.
How Voice Search Is Changing User Behavior
Traditional text searches are usually short and to the point, people type just a few keywords to get quick results. Voice searches, on the other hand, tend to be more conversational. Instead of searching for “best Italian restaurant Bristol,” a user is more likely to ask, “What’s the best Italian restaurant in Bristol?”
This shift means that content needs to be optimised to match natural speech patterns. Another major trend is the rise of question-based searches. Many voice searches begin with “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why” or “how.” If your website provides clear and direct answers to these kinds of questions, you’re far more likely to show up in voice search results.
Local searches are also becoming more prominent. Many users rely on voice search to find nearby businesses, check opening hours, or get directions. This makes local SEO more important than ever. If your business isn’t optimised for local searches, you could be missing out on valuable customers.
How to Optimise for Voice Search
Now that you’re familiar with why we need to be optimising for voice search, here are some tips and best practices to help you get started.
Use Conversational Keywords
Because voice search queries are more natural and speech-like, traditional short-tail keywords aren’t enough. Instead, focus on long-tail keywords that mirror real conversation. Instead of just targeting “digital marketing agency bristol” consider phrases like “What’s the best digital marketing agency in Bristol?”
A good way to find these conversational phrases is by thinking about the questions your customers ask you. Tools like Answer the Public can also help you find common voice search questions. What do people want to know about your services? Answering those questions in a natural, engaging way will help your content perform better in voice search results.
Create FAQ-Style Content
Since voice search is all about answering questions, structuring content in an FAQ format is a great strategy. Having a dedicated FAQ page, or incorporating common questions into blog posts and service pages, increases your chances of ranking in voice search results.
For example, instead of just writing about your services, phrase sections as answers to common questions: How much does a building survey cost? or What does an SEO agency do? This way, your content directly aligns with the way people search by voice.
Get Featured in Google’s Snippets
If you’ve ever asked a question on Google and seen a short, boxed answer at the top of the results, you’ve seen a featured snippet. These are highly valuable because voice assistants often read out the content from these snippets as the answer to users’ queries.
To improve your chances of getting a featured snippet, write clear, concise answers to common questions, use structured headings and break down complex topics into easy-to-digest sections. Google rewards well-organized, informative content with these top spots.
Prioritise Mobile Optimization
Most voice searches happen on mobile devices, so having a fast, mobile-friendly website is crucial. A slow or poorly optimised site can hurt your rankings, and Google now considers mobile-first indexing when ranking pages.
Make sure your website loads quickly, looks great on all screen sizes, and avoids intrusive pop-ups that frustrate users. You can check your site’s mobile performance using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure you’re meeting best practices.
Optimise for Local SEO
Since many voice searches are location-based, make sure your business is fully optimised for local searches. That means having an up-to-date Google Business Profile, with your business name, address and phone number accurate across all platforms, and incorporating location-specific keywords into your content.
For example, instead of just saying, “We offer damp surveys,” you might say, “Our independent damp surveyors in Bristol provide expert advice and assessments.” This small change makes a big difference in voice search rankings.
Improve Your Website Speed
Page speed is critical for voice search optimisation. If your site takes too long to load, it’s less likely to appear in search results. Compressing images, using fast hosting and reducing unnecessary code can help speed up your site and improve your ranking potential.
To check your page speed, Google’s PageSpeed Insights is an excellent tool that provides data about how your site is performing on both desktop and mobile devices.
Why You Should Act Now
Voice search is already shaping how people find information online, so businesses that optimise their content now will have a major advantage in the coming years, while those who ignore it risk being left behind.
At Bigg, we specialise in helping businesses stay ahead of digital trends. Whether it’s optimising for voice search, improving your website’s SEO or creating high-quality content, we’re here to help you get results.
If you want to help make sure your business gets noticed in voice search, get in touch with our expert team to find out more about our comprehensive, innovative digital marketing solutions.
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