Why your brand can’t afford to ignore voice search
Voice tech isn’t a gimmick anymore. It’s in our kitchens, pockets and even in our cars, with millions of UK consumers barking questions at Alexa, Siri and Google daily.
And it’s flipping the script on how people find brands.
Voice searches are longer, sound like real conversations and are packed with “near me” intent. Quick reality check:
- 40% of adults use voice search every day
- 56% of voice searches happen on mobiles
- Voice searches are 3x more likely to have local intent
If your brand wants to stay seen and relevant, voice search can’t be a “maybe next year” conversation.
Why should you care?
People using voice search want answers fast while they’re on the move. Brands that show up in voice results see a tasty 20% bump in mobile traffic. And if your brand lives in the “I need it now” world of retail, restaurants or local services, the conversion rates are even juicier.
Here’s the kicker. Only 4% of brands have fully optimised for voice. That means a massive first-mover advantage is just sitting there, waiting for you.
Five ways to get your brand voice-search ready
1. Talk like a human
Forget keyword salad. Voice searches sound like “Where can I get vegan pizza near me?” not “vegan pizza Birmingham.” Use natural, question-based language in your headers and intros.
2. Answer questions directly
Voice assistants love clear, straight-to-the-point answers. Build out FAQ sections with bite-sized Q&As. Keep it tight around 40-60 words so it’s snackable for voice readouts.
3. Get local
“Near me” searches run the voice search show. Update your Google Business Profile, use location-based keywords, and consider pages for each location you serve.
4. Use schema markup
This is like giving search engines a cheat sheet for your content. Use it on business info, products, services and FAQs. It’s a simple technical step that most of your competitors haven’t bothered with yet.
5. Be fast or be forgotten
Voice searches happen on mobile, and people won’t wait around. Your site needs to load in under 3 seconds and be slick to navigate without endless pinching and zooming.
The takeaway
Voice search isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s here. It’s growing. And it’s rewriting how customers find your brand.
Want your brand to keep showing up when people stop typing and start talking? Then it’s time to start crafting your content and site for the voice-first world.
Because if you don’t, someone else will.
