"Hey Google, How Do I..."
Voice search is different.
When people type, they use shorthand: "best pizza NYC."
When people talk, they use full sentences: "Hey Google, what's the best pizza place near me that's open right now?"
This changes your keyword strategy.
Voice Search Keyword Characteristics
Longer queries. Average voice search is 29 words. Average typed search is 3-4 words.
Question format. Who, what, where, when, why, how. Voice searches are almost always questions. Question keywords are your best friend here.
Conversational language. Natural speech patterns, not keyword shorthand.
Local intent. A huge percentage of voice searches are local. "Near me," "open now," "closest."
How to Optimise
Target question keywords. Every FAQ page is a voice search optimisation play. Schema markup with FAQ structured data can help your answers get selected by voice assistants.
Use natural language in your content. Write like you talk (which is exactly what this blog does, wink).
Aim for featured snippets. Voice assistants typically read the featured snippet as the answer. Position zero = voice search winner.
Optimise for local. If you're a local business, voice search is your friend. Google Business Profile is essential.
The Reality Check
Voice search is growing, but it hasn't replaced typed search. Don't abandon your existing keyword strategy. Google Trends can help you track whether voice-style queries are growing in your niche.
Instead, add voice-friendly content to your mix. FAQ pages, conversational blog posts, and local landing pages.
Stay Ahead
SEO Checkup helps you cover all SEO angles, including emerging trends. 113 tasks. Free. No credit card. 30 seconds.