Voice Search
Definition
Searching the internet by speaking rather than typing, using assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant. Changing how people phrase search queries.
What is Voice Search?
Voice search lets users search the internet by speaking to devices like smartphones, smart speakers, and voice assistants. Instead of typing "weather London", you say "Hey Google, what's the weather like in London today?"
Voice search is powered by assistants including Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Microsoft's Cortana.
How Voice Search Differs from Text Search
Voice queries are fundamentally different from typed searches:
| Typed Search | Voice Search |
|---|---|
| "pizza delivery exeter" | "Where can I order pizza near me?" |
| "best laptop 2024" | "What's the best laptop to buy right now?" |
| "plumber emergency" | "I need an emergency plumber, who's available?" |
Voice searches are:
- More conversational and natural
- Often longer (average 29 words vs 1-3 for text)
- More likely to be questions
- More often local ("near me")
Optimising for Voice Search
Target Conversational Keywords
Include natural-sounding phrases and questions your audience might ask aloud.
Answer Questions Directly
Voice assistants often read featured snippet content. Structure content to directly answer common questions.
Optimise for Local
Many voice searches are local. Ensure your Google Business Profile is complete and your NAP information is consistent.
Focus on Mobile
Most voice searches happen on mobile devices. Mobile-friendly, fast-loading sites are essential.
Use FAQ Schema
FAQ schema markup helps search engines identify question-and-answer content suitable for voice responses.
Voice Search Impact
While voice search hasn't replaced text search as some predicted, it's a growing channel, particularly for local businesses and quick informational queries.