Why SEO Isn’t Just for Google: How Optimizing for Voice Search Can Boost Your Bottom Line

??? "Hey Siri, how can I grow my business?"

As business owners, many of us are laser-focused on ranking higher on Google through traditional SEO strategies. But there’s a fast-growing trend that could dramatically impact your business if you don’t get ahead of it: voice search.

With voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant becoming a common part of our daily lives, more and more people are using voice search to find local businesses, ask questions, and make purchasing decisions.

?? Here’s why voice search matters—and how it can help you grow your business in 2024 and beyond.

1. Voice Search is Exploding in Popularity

Voice search is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s already here and growing rapidly. In fact, 50% of all searches are expected to be voice-based by 2025. Consumers are using their smart devices to search for everything, from the best local restaurants to the most trusted professionals.

For business owners, this represents a major shift in how customers find your products and services. Those who start optimizing for voice search now will have a huge competitive advantage as the trend continues to rise.

2. Voice Search Changes How We Use Keywords

Voice searches are much more conversational compared to traditional text searches. Instead of typing short, concise keywords like “best restaurant Boston,” people using voice search are more likely to ask full, conversational questions, such as: "What’s the best Italian restaurant near me?" "Where can I get same-day dry cleaning in my area?"

This shift means long-tail keywords and natural language optimization are crucial for voice SEO. By anticipating the kinds of questions your potential customers might ask, you can tailor your content to provide the exact answers they’re looking for.

3. Featured Snippets = Voice Search Goldmine

Ever noticed that when you ask your voice assistant a question, it usually reads back a short paragraph at the top of a Google search? These are called featured snippets, and they’re goldmines for businesses targeting voice search.

Businesses that optimize their content to capture featured snippets are more likely to be the ones whose information gets read aloud by voice assistants. By structuring your content with clear, concise answers to common questions, you can increase your chances of ranking for these snippets—giving you prime voice search real estate.

4. Voice Search and Local SEO Go Hand-in-Hand

For businesses with a local presence, voice search is especially powerful. Many voice searches are focused on finding nearby businesses, with users asking things like: "Where’s the nearest coffee shop?" "Find a chiropractor near me."

Optimizing for voice search means optimizing for local SEO as well. It’s critical to ensure your Google Business Profile is updated with accurate information, reviews, and location details, as voice search often pulls data from these listings. For small and local businesses, this can mean more foot traffic and customer inquiries.

5. How to Optimize for Voice Search Starting Today

So how can you start leveraging voice search to grow your business? Here are five quick actions you can take today:

1. Focus on Conversational Keywords: Think about how people speak when they search. Incorporate natural language and question-based phrases into your content.
2. Answer FAQs: Create content that answers common questions customers ask related to your products and services. Use structured data to make it easy for search engines to understand.
3. Optimize for Mobile: Voice searches are often made on mobile devices, so ensure your website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly.
4. Claim Your Google Business Profile: Make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and optimized. Include accurate hours, address, phone number, and photos.
5. Target Featured Snippets: Structure your content to answer questions in short, clear snippets of text, increasing your chances of being selected for voice search responses.

The Future is Here—Are You Ready for It?

Voice search isn’t the future—it’s happening now, and businesses that embrace it early will reap the rewards. The question is: Is your business ready to be found through voice search?

Drop a comment below if you’re already optimizing for voice search or want to learn more about how to get started! ??