The way people—especially adults—interact with technology is undergoing a major transformation. This change highlights the importance for businesses to align their digital efforts with evolving user preferences. With more than half of global internet users now relying on voice search, overlooking this shift could result in missing out on a large chunk of potential traffic and sales.
Consider this:
- 40.2% of the U.S. population uses voice search features regularly.
- 71% of online shoppers** prefer speaking their queries over typing them.
It’s becoming clear that we’re rapidly moving toward a voice-first world. People are no longer just typing—they’re speaking directly to their devices. Habit is shaping how users search, ask questions, and engage with content. As this voice-first trend grows, it’s offering marketers new opportunities to gather insights and fine-tune their content strategies.
You’re just nine smart moves away from fully embracing voice search optimization—a shift that can significantly boost your reach and engagement by applying the best SEO practices in a way that meets modern expectations.
How to Prepare Your Website for Voice Search?
Let’s break open the toolbox and dive into practical steps that will elevate your website in the world of voice-driven queries using strategic and conversational SEO methods.
1. Use Long-Tail Keywords and Natural Phrases
People speak differently from how they type. Voice searches often mimic how we talk in everyday conversations, which means they include long, specific phrases or questions. Tapping into this trend by targeting these phrases is one of the smartest strategies for better ranking in voice search results.
For example, instead of optimizing for “press release,” you’d benefit more from targeting conversational queries like “how do I write a press release for my tech startup?”
This method has proven effective for large companies and is now becoming a powerful tool for small and mid-sized businesses as well. Let’s take another keyword—“meditation.” Instead of just focusing on that term, voice-focused keywords could be:
- “How does meditation change your brain?”
- “What are the benefits of meditation?”
- “How can I start meditating near me?”
Although not all long-tail keywords are questions, using question-based phrasing boosts visibility in voice search results, especially on social platforms where the tone is naturally more relaxed and conversational.
2. Optimize for Local Voice Queries
Voice search has become a powerful tool for discovering nearby products and services. A large percentage of voice queries are made by users looking for local businesses, which is why local SEO plays a key role in voice search optimization.
With AI playing a bigger role in how search engines understand queries, having your business optimized for location-based searches is essential. Start by updating your blog content with local keywords and make sure your listings are visible to voice assistants.
3. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Google often relies on business listings to deliver local search results. Creating or claiming your Google Business Profile helps search engines easily identify and recommend your business during voice queries.
This free tool can boost your visibility, especially when your profile includes accurate details, high-quality images, and fresh updates. Encouraging happy customers to leave reviews improves trust and visibility across voice-based platforms.
4. Leverage Structured Data
Structured data helps search engines understand your website more efficiently. It tells Google exactly what your business offers, which boosts the chance of your site appearing in voice results.
By implementing this data properly, search engines can match your content to user queries more accurately. It’s a crucial part of mastering voice search optimization, as it allows Google to use machine learning to scan your content, identify key topics, and serve your site to voice users with precision.
5. Write Conversational, Intent-Focused Content
Write in a tone that reflects how people speak and search in real life. Thanks to advancements in AI, search engines can now understand user intent much more deeply, which means your content needs to match that natural rhythm of speech.
Conversational content allows your website to build a stronger connection with voice-based users while improving overall engagement.