How to Optimize for Voice Search in 2026
Why Voice Search Matters Now
Over 50% of local searches are now performed via voice assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant). If a customer asks their phone, "Who is the best plumber near me?", your business needs to be the singular answer provided.
1. Target Conversational Keywords
People type differently than they speak. While someone might type "plumber Sydney", they will ask their assistant: "Hey Siri, where is the nearest emergency plumber?"
- Focus on long-tail keywords (3+ words).
- Incorporate question words: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
- Optimize for "near me" naturally within your content.
2. Claim and Optimize Local Listings
Voice assistants rely heavily on Google Business Profile, Apple Maps, and Bing Places to find local answers.
Apple Siri
Pulls data from Apple Maps Connect and Yelp. Ensure your profiles are 100% complete.
Google Assistant
Relies entirely on your Google Business Profile and local schema markup.
3. Implement Speakable Schema
Speakable schema markup allows you to identify sections of an article or webpage that are best suited for audio playback using text-to-speech (TTS). We automatically include this in our Answer Engine Blocks.
4. Create FAQ Pages
FAQ pages are perfect for voice search because they naturally follow the question-and-answer format that voice assistants look for. Group common customer questions and answer them concisely (under 30 words per answer).
Want the full strategy?
Download our complete 20-page guide on dominating local search, Voice Search, and Answer Engines.