“Hey Siri, where is the closest café?”
“Alexa, what are the best laptop bags under $100?”
“OK, Google. How do I fix a leaky toilet?”
Have you ever heard someone say these types of sentences out loud? Or maybe you’ve said them yourself. Over 125 million individuals in the U.S. use voice search regularly, with more than 50% of adults worldwide doing so daily. These numbers were from two years ago. Imagine what they look like in 2025!
With smart speakers, voice assistants, and AI-powered apps a part of modern daily lives, SEO for voice search is no longer optional but essential. If you want your business to stay visible and competitive, you must upgrade your digital marketing strategy.
Let us break down how voice search works and why it matters.
Understanding the Voice Search Revolution
Voice assistants used to be high-tech novelties. Now, these cloud-based programs, which work across internet-connected devices, are changing how people interact with search engines.
Siri for iOS, Google Assistant for Android, and Alexa for Amazon are just three of the most popular, and they tell businesses one thing: The world has moved on from typing short keywords to having conversations with machines.
Instead of typing “best pizza NYC,” we now say, “Hey, Alexa. Where is the best pizza place near me?” This shift represents a massive change in user behavior. Searches are becoming more natural, detailed, and question-based, meaning your SEO strategy needs to evolve, too.
Why Voice Search Matters for SEO in 2025
“Is voice search really worth prioritizing in my digital marketing strategy?” you might ask. The answer is a loud yes.
Back in 2018, just 28% of U.S. households had smart speakers. By the end of 2025, that number should hit 75%. And what do these units use these smart speakers for? Searching. Shopping. Finding local services and getting quick answers.
SEO for voice search is a game for both B2C and B2B, and several brands caught on early. Domino’s Pizza, for example, introduced voice ordering through Alexa in 2017, just in time for the Super Bowl.
Customers who linked their Pizza Profile to Alexa could reorder their favorite items by voice and track deliveries, all without lifting a finger. This customer convenience led to a surge in order volume.
Key Differences Between Voice and Text Search
Many doubt that voice and text are so different that they should worry about SEO for voice search. In reality, these search methods differ significantly, and understanding their nuances is crucial for optimizing your content. Here are three distinctions to take note of:
- Natural Language: People talk to voice assistants like they talk to others, using complete sentences and casual language.
- More Question Words: There are more “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” queries.
- Strong Local Intent: Voice searches often include “near me,” business hours, directions, and other service information.
Starbucks capitalized on this pattern by enabling voice-driven ordering and payment via its iOS app and Amazon Alexa.
Through the Starbucks Reorder Skill, users could simply say, “Alexa, where is the nearest Starbucks? I want my usual,” and receive their go-to order from one of their last 10 visited stores. This digital marketing strategy boosted their sales by 16%!
Core Strategies To Optimize for Voice Search
If you want to win in 2025, you must give your digital marketing strategy a voice — literally and figuratively. Here are proven voice search tips.
Target Conversational and Long-Tail Keywords
Voice search thrives on human-sounding language. As such, focus on long-tail keywords that reflect how humans speak.
For instance, instead of targeting “SEO tips,” optimize for something like “What are the best SEO tips for small businesses?” Tools like AnswerThePublic can help you find question-based queries.
Create Strategic FAQ Sections
FAQs are gold for voice SEO, directly answering the exact kinds of questions people ask out loud. Structure your sections around the six core question types: who, what, where, when, why, and how, and keep answers concise and clear.
This tip might be simple, but a local service business could see its voice traffic double simply by adding a robust FAQ page that addresses real customer concerns!
Optimize for Local SEO
Voice search and local SEO go hand-in-hand. So, claim and update your Google Business Profile with consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information. Use local keywords and encourage your customers to leave reviews.
If a person says, “Find a digital marketing agency near me,” and you are one, your optimized local profile will show up.
Implement Structured Data and Schema Markup
Structured data helps your content make sense to search engines and, therefore, ramps up your chances of landing in featured snippets and voice responses. Schema markup on your FAQs, product pages, reviews, and business information will work wonders.
A perfect model is Nestlé USA and its partnership with Alexa to deliver branded recipe instructions from GoodNes.com. Users can ask Alexa for a recipe and receive step-by-step instructions, complete with visuals, nutritional information, and how-to videos.
Optimize for Featured Snippets (“Position Zero”)
Featured snippets, also called the coveted Position Zero (P0), are often the go-to responses for voice assistants. To boost your chances of landing a snippet, take the following voice search tips:
- Answer specific questions clearly.
- Use bullet points, lists, or tables.
- Provide brief but thorough explanations.
Imagine your site earning a featured snippet for “How do I clean white sneakers?” Your brand could become the default voice answer!
Prioritize Mobile Optimization and Speed
Voice searches mostly happen on mobile, so your site must be fast and mobile-friendly. Remember, for every one-second delay in page load time, conversions can crash by up to 20%. Think responsive design, compressed images, and Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) for faster delivery.
Leverage AI and Analytics for Ongoing Optimization
When it comes to modern SEO, you must keep doing something. AI tools can analyze your content’s performance, track voice-specific queries, and pinpoint new opportunities. Google Search Console and voice analytics tools can also reveal how users are discovering your site via voice and what kind of content you should create next.
Industry Examples: Brands Winning With Voice Search
We’ve already mentioned Domino’s, Starbucks, and Nestlé, but know that voice SEO success is not just for global giants. Local businesses are also seeing powerful results!
All the above efforts, and more, can increase search traffic. Through schema markup, for instance, a 1% or 2% increase can translate into a significant revenue boost. Generally, voice search has already driven over $2 billion in sales. Yes, those voice search tips are valuable.
Measuring Success in Voice Search SEO
SEO for voice search is challenging but measurable. Start by monitoring the following:
- Featured snippet rankings
- Voice search traffic volume
- Interactions on local listings
- FAQ page engagement
Each metric helps you gauge how well your content aligns with voice-based queries. Explore different tracking tools and make data your best friend!
Lastly, never just set and forget. Monitor your analytics regularly and test new keywords and content formats. Listen to your data carefully and refine your approach accordingly.
SEO for Voice Search Digital Marketing Strategy
Voice search is not on the horizon; it is here, reshaping SEO as we know it.
Brands that act now are focusing on conversational content, local SEO, structured data, mobile speed, and ongoing performance tracking. What will they do next? Lead the conversation in 2025 and beyond!
Do you want to be Siri, Alexa, and Google’s answer to people’s questions? Contact Connection Model today for a voice search SEO audit. Future-proof your digital marketing strategy and put your business front and center when it matters most.
Written By: David Carpenter