The rise of voice search and how to prepare your site

“Hey Google, where's the nearest Italian?”
“Alexa, what's the weather tomorrow?”
“Siri, what time does the train leave for Amsterdam?”

These kinds of questions are now a daily occurrence. Voice search (voice search) is growing rapidly and changing the way people find information online. For companies, this means: opportunities, but also a new SEO approach.

In this blog, I'll explain exactly what voice search is, why it's important and how to prepare your website for it.

What is voice search?

Voice search is searching using your voice, instead of using a keyboard or touchscreen. Think Google Assistant on your smartphone, Siri on your iPhone, or Alexa via a smart speaker.

The big difference with traditional search is that voice search is much more natural and demand-oriented. Instead of “pizzeria Utrecht” someone says: “Where can I eat pizza in Utrecht tonight?”

Why is voice search growing so fast?

The growth is not accidental:

• Smartphones and smart speakers: almost everyone has one and voice search is built in.
• Convenience and speed: talking is faster than typing, especially on the go.
• Technology: AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) ensure that Google understands our questions better and better.

Young people and busy users, in particular, are increasingly switching to voice.

How does voice search differ from traditional queries?

Voice search has a few clear features:

• Longer searches: instead of one or two words, people use whole sentences.
• Natural language: the questions sound like you're asking them to a friend.
• A lot of local: “Where is the nearest pharmacy?” is one of the most common voice search questions.
• Direct answers: people don't want a list of websites, but one clear answer.

For SEO, this means that the classic “short keywords” become less important and demand-oriented content actually wins.

What does this mean for SEO and companies?

The impact is huge. If your company doesn't answer questions via voice search, you're literally missing out on opportunities. Think about:

• New keyword strategy: more focus on questions and long tail.
• Snippets and direct answers: Your content must be compatible with Google's “answer boxes”.
• Local SEO: those who are visible locally take the most voice search traffic.
• Naturally written content: not for robots, but for real conversations.

How to prepare your site for voice search

1. Optimize for long tail keywords

Voice search is about complete questions. Think about:

• “What will a roof renovation cost in 2025?”
• “How long does it take to see SEO results?”
  FAQ sections are ideal for this, because you literally incorporate the questions and answers into your site.

2. Configure your content to natural language

Write like you talk. No complicated technical language, but short, clear answers. Google is more likely to choose your text for voice search if it answers directly.

3. Focus on local SEO

Most voice searches are local. So make sure your Google Business Profile is 100% up to date with address, opening hours, reviews, and photos.
Example: A restaurant that scores well in Google Maps is often mentioned when someone asks: “Where can I eat tapas in the area?”

4. Implementing structured data

Use Schema.org markup to give Google additional context. Think about:

• FAQ schedule: for frequently asked questions.
• HowTo schedule: for step-by-step explanations.
• LocalBusiness schedule: for companies with a physical location.

5. Technology and speed

Voice search is mobile and mobile requires speed.

• Make sure your site loads fast.
• Check your Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, FID).
• Make your site completely mobile-friendly.

Conclusion: voice search is the future

Voice search changes how people search and how Google answers. Companies that prepare their content for this will soon literally be at the top of Google Assistant, Siri or Alexa answers.

My advice: start adding demand-oriented content, structured data and a strong local SEO strategy today. Because the sooner you take advantage of this trend, the greater your advantage becomes.

👉 Want to know how I can prepare your site for voice search? At Rank Rocket, we make sure you're not only found in Google, but also heard in the world of voice search.