SEO in the Age of Voice AI: Optimising for Spoken Queries Instead of Typed Ones

Search engines are no longer just about what people type. Increasingly, they’re about what people say. From Siri and Alexa to Google Assistant and ChatGPT, voice-driven search is exploding, and it’s changing the way businesses need to think about SEO.

If you’re relying solely on traditional keyword strategies, you’ll soon find yourself invisible to this growing audience. Let’s break down exactly what’s happening, why it matters, and what you should do to stay ahead.

Why voice and Ai search are different

When people type a query, they compress it into a few words:

• “cheap flights Paris”
• “best laptop 2025”

When people speak to an Ai assistant, they phrase it more naturally:

• “What’s the cheapest way to fly to Paris this weekend?”
• “Which laptop should I buy in 2025 if I need it for gaming and video editing?”

See the difference? Spoken queries are:

• Longer and conversational: They mirror real speech patterns.
• Context-heavy: People often ask follow-up questions, creating search “chains.”
• Answer-focused: Instead of links, they want a direct, helpful response.

And with Ai-powered tools (like ChatGPT or Google’s Search Generative Experience), it’s not just about retrieving results; it’s about summarising and generating them.

How this impacts your SEO

1. Keywords aren’t enough. It’s not about matching “best dentist London” anymore; it’s about answering, “Who’s the best-rated dentist near me that takes new NHS patients?”
2. Content needs context. Ai thrives on rich, clear, structured data. Thin content won’t cut it.
3. Visibility shrinks. Traditional search results might show 10 links. Voice search usually gives one answer. If you’re not that answer, you’re nowhere.

7 practical strategies for voice + Ai SEO

1. Optimise for natural language queries

• Write FAQ sections that mirror how people actually ask questions.
• Example: Instead of “London plumbing services”, use “How much does it cost to hire a plumber in London?”
• Use full sentences in headings and answer directly underneath.

2. Target long-tail keywords (and beyond)

Longer, conversational keyphrases will dominate. Tools like AnswerThePublic or SEMrush’s “Questions” feature help identify them.

• Typed: “Thai food Manchester”
• Spoken: “Where can I get the best Thai food in Manchester near the city centre?”

3. Aim for featured snippets

When Siri or Alexa read out search results, they often pull from Google’s “Position Zero.”

• Use numbered lists, step-by-step guides, and clear definitions to win snippets.
• Example: A recipe site should have a concise intro: “To make carbonara, you need eggs, pancetta, and parmesan. First…”

4. Double down on local SEO

Most voice searches have local intent: “Find a coffee shop near me”.

• Keep your Google Business Profile updated.
• Encourage reviews (AI often cites them).
• Add location-specific content to your site.

5. Structure your content with schema

Schema markup helps AI and voice assistants “understand” your site.

• FAQ schema → boosts chances of being picked for voice answers.
• Local schema → reinforces your business info.
• Product schema → makes your e-commerce listings AI-friendly.

6. Improve site speed and mobile experience

Voice searches are heavily mobile-based. If your site takes 6 seconds to load, you’ve already lost the user.

• Use tools like PageSpeed Insights.
• Compress images, enable caching, and use responsive design.

7. Embrace conversational Ai optimisation

This is the cutting edge: instead of only optimising for Google, think about how ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other answer engines will surface your content.

• Publish detailed, authoritative content.
• Add citations and references.
• Focus on building trust signals like author expertise and external mentions.

Example: A local business in the voice Ai era

Imagine you run a dental clinic in Birmingham. Here’s the difference:

• Old SEO: You’d optimise for “dentist Birmingham” and run ads.
• Voice + AI SEO: You’d need pages answering:
  • “How much does a dental check-up cost in Birmingham?”
  • “Which dentists in Birmingham offer emergency appointments?”
  • “Who’s the best NHS dentist near me?”

By creating conversational, local-focused content, your clinic is far more likely to become the answer Alexa or Siri reads out.

Where businesses go wrong

• They treat voice as a gimmick. It’s not. It’s mainstream.
• They ignore Ai answer engines. These aren’t “search engines” in the old sense; they’re competitors for attention.
• They buy outdated SEO packages. If your provider is still pushing keyword stuffing and directory links, you’re burning money.

The business case for voice + Ai SEO

This is where modern SEO services are evolving. A traditional SEO company might have helped you rank 5 years ago, but now you need strategies built for how people speak to search engines.

Forward-looking agencies are offering an Ai SEO package that goes beyond basics, weaving voice optimisation, structured data, and conversational content together.

If you’re shopping around, make sure your provider offers tailored Ai SEO services, not just legacy Google SEO services. The difference is whether you rank for yesterday’s searches or tomorrow’s.

Final thought

Voice and AI search are here now, not “someday.” The brands that adapt their content for how people talk, not just how they type, will dominate. Everyone else will wonder why their traffic vanished.

The future of SEO isn’t about chasing keywords. It’s about becoming the most natural, trustworthy, and conversational answer in your space.