Voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa have changed how people search online, favouring spoken, conversational queries over typed ones. This shift means businesses must rethink how their websites are structured to stay visible in voice-driven search results.
Voice search optimisation focuses on natural language, mobile accessibility, and direct answers
In this article, you’ll find five practical tips to help your website perform better in voice searches and meet the expectations of today’s users.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Voice search is reshaping user behaviour, favouring conversational and question-based queries.
- Optimising for voice improves your chances of appearing in featured snippets and local search results.
- Using natural language and long-tail keywords makes content more voice-friendly.
- Technical factors like mobile speed and structured data are key to voice visibility.
- Adopting voice search strategies early gives your brand a competitive edge in search.
What is Voice Search Optimisation?
Voice search optimisation is adapting your website content to match how people speak when using voice assistants. Unlike traditional SEO that focuses on short, typed keywords, voice search targets full sentences, questions, and natural-sounding phrases.
It also considers mobile usability and local intent, as many voice searches are done on-the-go. The goal is to help your site appear in spoken search results by providing clear, conversational, and relevant answers.
Importance of Voice Search Optimisation for SEO
Adapting your SEO strategy for voice search is a smart move for websites that want to stay competitive as search habits evolve. Here’s why voice search optimisation plays a key role in modern SEO:
- Search behaviour is changing: People use longer, question-based queries when speaking, which requires a different keyword strategy.
- Higher chance of appearing in featured snippets: Voice assistants often pull answers from position-zero content.
- Boosts local SEO: Many voice searches include local intent like “near me” or “open now,” which can drive foot traffic.
- Improves mobile performance: Since voice searches typically happen on mobile devices, optimisation enhances mobile experience and load speed.
- Staying ahead of competitors: Voice search is still underutilised, so early adoption can offer a strategic advantage.
5 Essential Voice Search Optimisation Tips
To make your website voice-search ready, focus on practical adjustments that align with how people speak and search. These five tips will help you get started:
1. Use Conversational Keywords
Voice searches tend to be more natural and question-based, reflecting how people speak in actual conversations. Short, fragmented keywords are less common in voice queries.
To align with this, include long-tail, conversational phrases in your content that answer common questions clearly and directly.
Example:
Use “What’s the weather like in Kuala Lumpur today?” as a target phrase, which mirrors how users speak to voice assistants.
2. Optimise for Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are often the source of answers read aloud by voice assistants. Structuring your content to answer common questions directly increases your chances of being selected for this prime search position.
Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise answers. Adding a dedicated FAQ section or Q&A format can help search engines identify the most relevant parts of your content.
Example:
A question like “How do I track my parcel?” can be answered in a short paragraph or list under an FAQ heading to improve visibility in voice results.
3. Improve Website Speed and Mobile UX
Most voice searches happen on mobile devices, which means your website needs to load quickly and display well on smaller screens. A slow or clunky mobile experience can push users away and hurt your rankings.
Prioritise fast-loading pages, responsive design, and easy navigation. These improvements support voice search and simultaneously enhance overall SEO performance.
Example:
Compress large images, enable browser caching, and implement AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) to speed up loading times on mobile.
4. Implement Local SEO Strategies
Voice searches frequently involve users looking for nearby services or businesses. Optimising for local SEO helps your business appear prominently when people make “near me” or location-specific voice queries.
Boost your local visibility by regularly updating your Google Business Profile, using location-based keywords, and maintaining consistent business information across online directories.
Example:
Phrases like “24-hour pharmacy in PJ” or “best dental clinic near me” are typical examples that voice search local SEO can capture.
Looking to strengthen your local presence? Check out these guides on local SEO strategies in Malaysia and on-page local SEO optimisation to boost visibility in voice and location-based searches.
5. Use Schema Markup
Schema markup is structured data that clearly describes your website content to search engines. Voice assistant optimisation helps provide the context needed for voice assistants to quickly identify and deliver accurate information.
Applying schema markup like FAQ, How-To, or LocalBusiness makes your content more understandable and increases your chance of being selected for voice results.
Example:
Implementing FAQ schema on your customer support pages helps search engines feature your answers directly in response to spoken user queries.
Dive deeper into schema markup planning and discover how it boosts your SEO strategy today.
Conclusion
Voice search is changing how people find information, making it crucial for websites to align with natural, spoken queries. Adopting strategies like conversational keywords, local SEO, and structured data ensures your content remains relevant, accessible, and competitive in the evolving search landscape.
Ready to boost your website’s visibility with voice search optimisation? Newnormz digital marketing can help you stay ahead with tailored SEO strategies. Contact Newnormz today to get started.
