How Marketers Can Leverage Voice Search
- Tangelo Media
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
When did you last use Google Maps to help you find a local Starbucks or enlisted Siri to find a gas or charging station? If you are like most people, you may have conducted this type of inquiry within the last several days. And hopefully, you did it by voice search as we have too many accidents caused by people texting while driving! That gets to our next point: voice search is increasingly being used by mobile users to find businesses, get answers, and complete transactions, so marketers have to optimize for this trend.
In this blog, Tangelo Media will explore why marketers can’t afford to ignore voice search and offer best practices for optimization.
It’s all in the stats:
58% of consumers have used voice search to find local business information in the last year. (BrightLocal, 2024)
71% of consumers prefer using voice search over typing when looking for something online. (PwC, 2024)
50% of all searches are expected to be voice-based by 2025. (Comscore)
Mobile voice search is 3X more likely to be used for local queries (e.g., "near me" searches). (Google, 2024)
Businesses that optimize for voice search stand a better chance of capturing mobile traffic and engaging customers effectively. And while local brick and mortar businesses have the most to gain, many online-only businesses can also take advantage of this trend.
How to Optimize for Voice Search
1. Optimize for Conversational Keywords
Unlike text-based searches, voice queries are more conversational and often longer. For example:
Typed search: "best coffee shop NYC"
Voice search: "Where is the best coffee shop near me?"
🔹 Best Practice: Use natural language and long-tail keywords that match how people speak.
2. Leverage Local SEO for “Near Me” Searches
Since a significant portion of voice searches are local, businesses must optimize their local SEO.
🔹 Best Practice:
Optimize Google Business Profile listings.
Use location-based keywords like “best pizza place in downtown Chicago.”
Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across online directories.
3. Focus on Featured Snippets & FAQ Content
Voice assistants often pull answers from featured snippets on Google. Structuring content in a Q&A format increases the chances of being selected.
🔹 Best Practice:
Use structured data (schema markup) to help search engines understand your content.
Create FAQ sections with direct, concise answers to common questions.
4. Improve Website Speed & Mobile Experience
Since most voice searches happen on mobile devices, a slow or poorly optimized site can lead to lost traffic.
🔹 Best Practice:
Ensure your website loads in under 3 seconds.
Optimize images and enable browser caching.
Use mobile-friendly designs with easy navigation.
5. Use Natural Language & Conversational AI
Marketers should tailor their content and ads to mimic the way people naturally speak when using voice search.
🔹 Best Practice:
Incorporate conversational phrases in blogs, FAQs, and social media.
Use AI chatbots that interact naturally with users.
Summary:
Voice search is changing how consumers interact with brands online, and marketers who adapt to this shift will have a competitive advantage. By focusing on conversational keywords, local SEO, fast-loading mobile pages, and structured content, businesses can improve their visibility and conversion rates in an increasingly voice-driven world.
Are you optimizing your content for voice search? If not, now’s the time to start! 🚀
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