Everything You Need to Know About Voice Search Optimisation

Not long ago, asking your phone for directions or a recipe felt futuristic. Now, it’s part of everyday life. From Siri and Alexa to Google Assistant, voice technology has reshaped how we search, shop, and interact with brands online.

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “Hey Google, where’s the best pizza near me?”, you’ve already experienced how natural voice search feels compared to typing. And that shift, from written queries to spoken ones is changing search engine optimisation in subtle but powerful ways.

Voice search optimisation, often shortened to VSO, is no longer a niche tactic. It’s becoming an essential part of how businesses stay visible in a world where users increasingly talk to their devices instead of typing on them

What Voice Search Really Means

When we say “voice search,” we’re talking about queries spoken out loud instead of being typed, usually through mobile phones, smart speakers, or even cars.

The intent is the same, but the tone changes completely. Spoken searches are longer, more natural, and often phrased as full questions. Optimising for them means shifting away from rigid keyword strings toward content that sounds more like something you’d say out loud.

Why It’s Worth Paying Attention To

More than half of smartphone users now use voice search daily. That’s millions of people asking for local businesses, recipes, advice, directions, all hands-free.

The main reasons are simple:

• It’s fast as you can talk faster than you can type.
• It’s convenient, especially when you’re driving or cooking.

And for local businesses it can go a long way in boosting your reach. “Near me” searches have exploded. If someone’s standing a few blocks away saying, “Where can I get my car washed right now?”, you want your name to be the answer.

How Voice Search Is Changing SEO

The popularity of voice search doesn’t mean SEO is no longer relevant, it just reshapes the entire strategy.

For instance –

• Instead of short, mechanical keywords, people are speaking full thoughts.
• Instead of “dentist Bristol,” they’re saying “Who’s the best-rated dentist in Bristol open today?”

So what shifts?

• Queries get longer, closer to how we actually talk.
• Questions dominate like what, where, how, why.
• Local intent rises as assistants assume you want nearby options.
• Featured snippets (those top quick answers) become key, because that’s what the assistant reads aloud.

In short, you’re not just writing for Google anymore. You’re writing for how people speak in real life.

Making Your Site Voice-Friendly

Write Like People Talk

Voice queries sound like conversations, so your content should too. If you run a home services business, someone might ask, “How often should I get my boiler serviced?” That means your FAQ page shouldn’t just say “Boiler Service Frequency”, it should answer that question clearly, right under the heading.

Target Quick, Clear Answers

When voice assistants respond, they usually pull from the featured snippet, that short, boxed summary at the top of Google results. To increase your chances of being that answer:

• Write short, direct explanations (under 40 words works best).
• Use clear subheadings phrased as questions.
• Structure your answers in plain English and give honest, clear information.

Tighten Up Local SEO

Most voice searches are local. People don’t ask for “restaurants in London”; they ask, “What’s a good restaurant near me that’s still open?”
To make sure you show up:

• Keep your Google Business Profile accurate and up to date.
• Use schema markup to tell Google where you are.
• Mention your area naturally within content (“We serve clients across Manchester and Stockport”).
• Consistency is everything, your address, phone, and hours should match everywhere they appear.

Speed (and Mobile Experience) Matter More Than Ever

Voice searches happen on mobile most of the time. If your site’s slow or clunky, voice assistants skip it. Audit your site’s speed and fix the basics like compressed images, caching, and simplified scripts. Then, check how it feels on a phone and make sure mobile users don’t have to pinch or zoom to find information.

Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)

Structured data helps Google understand your content’s context – who you are, what you offer, and where you’re located. For voice search, schema markup (especially FAQs, HowTo, and LocalBusiness types) can make your answers eligible for spoken responses. It’s a small technical step that pays off in visibility.

Related read – What is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)?

Common Mistakes in Voice Search Optimisation

• Overusing Keywords: Voice queries are natural and keyword-stuffed content sounds robotic.
• Ignoring FAQs: Those “how” and “what” questions are exactly what can boost your visibility in voice searches.
• Outdated Info: Outdated hours, broken links, and inconsistent details kill local trust signals.
• Skipping Mobile Checks: Voice users almost always find you via their phones.

In short, keep your content useful, human, and easy to read aloud.

Quick Takeaways

• JWrite the way people speak.
• Focus on questions and answers.
• Keep your local info spot-on.
• Make your site fast and mobile-friendly.
• Use structured data so Google knows exactly what you offer.

Voice search rewards simplicity, honesty, and relevance, three things every good piece of content should already have.

Related read – How To Rank in Google’s AI Mode

Final Thought

The fact is search is getting more human. People want quick, clear, spoken answers, and the web is catching up. So, instead of writing for search engines, write for people asking questions out loud. If your content genuinely helps, the technology will find you.

That’s the essence of voice search optimisation, just communication that works the way people do. As a leading SEO company in Melbourne, we are aware of how voice search is changing the digital landscape. Partner with us and ensure your website and therefore, business is in-sync with the current innovations.