It is no longer surprising that voice and conversational search make up a significant portion of how people find information online. Instead of typing into a search bar, we are talking to our devices. Plus, it’s not just phones anymore. Smart speakers jumped into the mix, too.
In 2023, one out of every five web browsing sessions already did not involve a screen. By 2025, the number of active voice assistants worldwide had climbed past eight billion. Now, over a billion voice searches happen every month. Even the Google app, the world’s top search engine, shows that 20% of searches are done by voice.
Voice and conversational search absolutely do not behave like traditional text search. As such, businesses should not optimize them the same way. Learn the changes you should apply with Connection Model.
You have probably done a voice search yourself before. Maybe you were driving, or your hands were full, when you needed clarification about something. If you replay how you spoke to your device versus how you would have typed that same query, the contrast is obvious.
Text searches tend to strip queries down to the bare minimum, using short phrases and choppy wording, like “best iced coffee Bellevue.” When you talk, though, you ask full questions with context. Your search becomes, “Where is the best iced coffee near me in Bellevue?”
Basically, voice queries lean heavily into natural language. They are longer, more specific, and more precise in their intent. There is often a local angle as well. Since users expect direct responses, search engines are more selective about which results to provide and leverage artificial intelligence (AI).
With traditional text search, users scan a page, compare multiple listings, and decide where to click. With voice search, there is typically only a single spoken response. The bar is higher. Here are the ranking factors that matter most:
If you still treat voice queries like typed keywords but with a microphone, you are going to struggle to show up.
There are many ways to make your content more voice-friendly. Ultimately, you must write as if you are talking to a real person. How do you do that in practice?
When you clearly ask a question and immediately answer it, you are doing precisely what voice assistants are looking for. FAQs help search engines match spoken questions to written answers, and make content easier for humans to skim, too.
When someone asks a question out loud, they do not want a three-paragraph essay right away. They would rather hear a clean, satisfying answer first. After your direct initial response, you can expand, add examples, and explore nuances for readers who want more detail.
Conversational SEO is the new norm because voice searches are inherently conversational. A more relaxed, human tone involves words like “you,” “we,” and “I.” Still, be thoughtful, insightful, and authoritative, just without sounding like a textbook.
Target long-tail, question-based queries by thinking through who, what, when, where, and how scenarios your audience cares about. Keyword research tools help, but so does simply paying attention to “People also ask” boxes and related searches in engines.
All the great content will not work if your technical foundation is shaky. Here are technical SEO aspects to focus on.
Adding schema for your business details — such as NAP (name, address, and phone number) and hours — provides search engines with reliable information. There is also a “speakable” schema that highlights sections of your content that are especially suitable for reading aloud.
If your mobile experience is clunky, it is a serious barrier. Responsive design is the baseline. Text should be readable without pinching or zooming, buttons should be easy to tap, and navigation should feel intuitive.
Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking signal, and the majority of voice search results come from secure sites. Beyond rankings, security builds trust. People are far more likely to engage with a site that feels safe, especially when voice assistants are acting as the middleman.
Have you not optimized for voice search? The truth is that you are already playing catch-up. B2B and B2C companies have been on it for years! But don’t worry; it is not too late. Search behavior is still evolving, and businesses that act now can build a real advantage.
At Connection Model, our digital marketing team develops voice search SEO strategies for 2026 and handles technical SEO. Let us turn your brand into the one that Google, Alexa, Siri, and other AI assistants recommend. Contact us today for a roadmap and excellent execution.