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Is Voice Search Optimisation Necessary? Our Complete Guide
Voice notes, voice-to-text, and voice search – they’ve all been gaining popularity in recent years. What’s the one thing they all have in common? They’re incredibly convenient. Suddenly, you’re able to send a text or search the web totally hands-free, and whilst this is simplifying search for users, it is changing the way you should be thinking about your content optimisation.
If you’re still focusing on more traditional content optimisations, it’s time to think outside the box. Voice search optimisation (VSO) is quickly becoming a vital tool for businesses looking to stay ahead of the competition.
If you’ve been wondering whether or not investing time in voice search optimisation is necessary for your business – this guide is for you.
First Things First, What Is Voice Search Optimisation?
Ever asked Siri what the weather was looking like before you headed to work? Or asked Alexa if there were any breaking news updates whilst you made your morning coffee?
That’s voice search. No matter which platform or device you choose to use, every time you speak rather than type your search queries, you’re using voice search. But what does this mean for SEO? And how does optimising for voice differ from more traditional practices?
Let’s get stuck in…
How’s Voice Search Optimisation Different?
There are a few ways that optimisation for voice differs from traditional text. Whilst SEO strategies have never shied away from long-tail keywords, using longer keywords with less search volume seems to be what’s most effective in the realm of voice search optimisation.
You also want to make sure you’re focusing on a more conversational tone and that your keywords and your copy reflect how users are going to naturally speak their searches.
Another key differentiating feature is that whilst traditional SEO allows you to show up on SERPs even if you’re not in the first position, voice search is only going to choose one response, which is typically the highest-ranking answer for that query.
So, How To Optimise For Voice Search You Ask?
If you feel like the goalposts are constantly changing, we hear you! But luckily, optimising your content for voice search doesn’t differ too much from what you’ve probably already been doing.
These are some of the strategies you can implement into your content optimisations to increase the chances of showing up for a voice search:
Craft Valuable FAQ Pages
Whilst FAQ blocks are standard practice in SEO strategies, creating dedicated FAQ pages that answer common questions and pain points can help you optimise for voice.
However, it’s not as easy as building your FAQ page and going off on your merry way – is it ever? In order to ensure your content is voice-friendly, you want to answer common questions directly with simple words and short sentences. You also want to structure your questions and responses in a conversational way that reflects the actual query people are most likely searching for. People using voice search want clear and concise responses, so try to emulate that as best as possible on your FAQ pages.
Prioritise Local SEO
A large number of people using voice search are searching for “Near Me” phrases. This includes things like “coffee near me,” “toilets near me,” and “cashpoints near me.” You get the gist.
To best capitalise on this traffic, you should put more effort into improving your local SEO strategies. This includes improving your Google My Business Profile to ensure your business name, address, phone number, and key details are correct. You should also encourage happy customers to leave reviews and use local keywords throughout your website copy wherever you can.
Make Sure Your Site’s Up To Speed
Voice searchers are looking for quick answers, so you really need to make sure your site loads as quickly as possible. Not only is page speed vital for voice search optimisation, but it’s also a crucial part of traditional SEO strategies.
There’s no point having the most informative content on your site if your users don’t have time to wait around for it to load. Regularly checking (and improving) your page speed load times is key to reaching voice searchers fast, and when they need you most.
Position Zero Is Where The Magic Happens
As an SEO, you’re probably always aiming for position zero, but it’s especially true if you’re chasing voice searches. Whilst position zero previously looked like the small snippet at the top of a search query (and it can still look like this), the introduction of the AI overview is making position zero an even more coveted spot.
The best way to get your content to position zero (or even the Gemini AI overview on Google) is to focus on creating useful content for users. Try to follow the EEAT method to get the best results for your content.
Put Your Business On Top
When it comes to optimising your content for voice search, it’s not entirely different from traditional SEO processes, but it is just as critical. The key to success comes from knowing exactly what your users are looking for, why they’re searching and how to best answer their questions.
Voice search is already having a huge impact on the way we search every single day, and there’s no sign of slowing down soon. Incorporating voice search optimisation into your SEO strategies is vital in 2025, who knows – you may hear your site quoted as a source on your very own smart device soon!
To get tailored advice on the best ways to optimise your site for voice search, get in touch with our leading SEO agency in London.
Contact us today to find out exactly how we can help you!