At our digital advertising agency, we’re seeing a major shift in how consumers are finding and choosing local businesses—and voice search is leading the charge in 2025.
As more people embrace voice-activated assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, and now AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, local voice search is rapidly reshaping consumer behavior. Users are ditching the keyboard and asking their devices for what they need—whether it’s a coffee shop around the corner or a plumber available on short notice.
By not setting up your business for voice, you risk missing real, high-intent traffic. That’s why optimizing for voice search has become a core part of any strong local SEO strategy.
What Is Local Voice Search, Exactly?
Local voice search refers to when users ask their devices for nearby businesses or services. Instead of typing “best pizza place near me,” someone might say, “Where’s a good pizza spot nearby?” Voice assistants pull answers from a mix of sources—like your Google Business Profile, reviews, and your website’s content.
These queries tend to be longer, more natural-sounding, and filled with local intent. That means businesses need to shift from just targeting short keywords to focusing on how real people speak when they’re on the go.
Imagine this: It’s Friday night, and Sarah is driving home from work. She’s craving pizza but doesn’t have a favorite spot in mind. Instead of pulling over to search on her phone, she says,
“Hey Siri, where’s a good pizza place nearby?”
At that moment, Siri scans several sources to deliver results—pulling data from Google Business Profiles, online reviews, and nearby restaurant websites. If your pizza shop has a well-optimized listing, positive reviews, and content that answers conversational queries like “best thin-crust pizza in town,” voice assistants are much more likely to recommend you.
Now imagine your competitor down the street hasn’t updated their Google listing or optimized their website for voice-friendly searches. Even if their pizza is great, they may not even show up in Sarah’s results.
That’s the power of local voice search—it connects ready-to-buy customers with businesses that are prepared to be found. If your digital presence speaks their language, you’re the one they’ll visit tonight.
Why It’s Crucial for Local Businesses in 2025
The rise of AI-powered search tools and voice-enabled devices means voice queries are happening everywhere—while people are driving, walking, cooking, or multitasking.
In fact, research suggests that a significant majority of voice searches include local terms like “near me” or “open now.” That makes voice one of the most powerful ways people discover local businesses in the moment they need them most.
Even more importantly, newer AI platforms are starting to pull voice results from broader web content. If you fail to optimize your business for these tools, your business might not appear when someone asks their device, “Where’s the best nail salon nearby?” or “Who’s the top-rated emergency vet in town?”
How to Get Found in Voice Search Results
Here’s how local businesses can start showing up in voice-based and AI-powered search:
Use Conversational Keywords
Think like your customers. What questions are they asking? It is important to incorporate natural, question-style language in your website and blog content.
Imagine you own a tire and auto service shop in Phoenix. A customer driving around with a maintenance light on might ask their voice assistant, “Where can I get my tires rotated in Phoenix?”
If your website includes a blog post or service page that says something like, “Wondering where to get your tires rotated in Phoenix? We’ve got you covered—our certified technicians offer fast, affordable tire rotations right here at [Shop Name],” then your site is more likely to show up in voice search results.
By using the exact kind of natural, question-based language your customers speak into their phones, you make it easier for voice assistants to match their query with your content. Since voice assistants are more likely to show your business, more people will likely walk through your doors.
Add Helpful FAQ Pages
Voice queries are often questions. A well-structured FAQ page that answers real customer inquiries can help your business appear in voice search results.
Imagine you own a local plumbing business. You’ve noticed that many potential customers are using voice assistants like Siri or Alexa to ask questions like, “Who fixes leaking pipes near me?” or “What should I do if my toilet overflows?”
To tap into this trend, you create a detailed FAQ page on your website with common questions your customers ask, such as:
- “What should I do in a plumbing emergency?”
- “How much does it cost to fix a leaking pipe?”
- “Do you offer 24/7 service?”
Your more likely to show up in voice search results if you have a well-structured FAQ page. This page should feature clearly written questions and concise, helpful answers in natural language. This language should be one that mirrors how people speak into their phones. Understanding what your customer is looking for, brings more local traffic (and emergency calls!) your way.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Accurate, complete listings are essential. Update your hours, services, location, categories, and include high-quality images—voice assistants often rely on this info first.
Let’s say you run a small coffee shop in a busy downtown area. A potential customer is driving nearby and asks their voice assistant, “Hey Google, where’s a coffee shop open right now?”
It’s important that your business listing is detailed and up to date so that your shop is not skipped by the voice assistant. Common issues include: outdated hours, missing categories, or no photos. Even if you’re open a block away, the voice assistant might not mention you to the potential customer.
An up-to-date listing helps. Accurate hours matter. Clearly marked categories like “coffee shop” and “free Wi-Fi” are key. Inviting photos of your storefront and popular items help too. Because of these details, the voice assistant will likely recommend your place. This choice determines if you’re found or forgotten.
Earn and Manage Online Reviews
Reviews help validate your business to both customers and AI assistants. Encourage happy customers to leave feedback on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Apple Maps.
Let’s say you run a local Italian restaurant in Austin called Nonna’s Kitchen. When someone nearby asks their voice assistant, “What’s the best Italian restaurant near me?”—AI tools like Siri or Google Assistant scan platforms like Google Maps, Yelp, and Apple Maps to find top-rated businesses with strong reviews.
Because Nonna’s Kitchen constantly asks happy diners to leave reviews after their meals—maybe with a gentle reminder on the receipt or a QR code on the table—the restaurant has built up hundreds of 5-star ratings.
As a result, not only do more people trust the restaurant based on those reviews, but voice assistants are more likely to recommend it too. The positive reviews put Nonna’s Kitchen at the top of the list when someone’s hungry and searching nearby.
Add Structured Data (Schema)
Using schema markup on your site helps AI understand your content and better match your business to voice queries.
Improve Site Speed and Mobile Friendliness
Both search engines and users prefer fast, responsive websites. A poor-performing site won’t rank well, especially on mobile or voice platforms.
Looking Ahead
Voice search isn’t just a trend—it’s quickly becoming the norm. In 2025, voice-driven discovery is happening across more devices and AI tools than ever before.
That’s why now is the time to take action. Optimizing your digital presence for voice search means making sure your business listings are accurate, your website content mirrors how real people speak, and you’re answering the kinds of questions customers are likely to ask on the go.
Whether they’re using smartphones, smart speakers, or AI-powered assistants, today’s consumers expect quick, relevant answers. Since voice search is becoming the norm, businesses that adapt will have the edge in visibility, trust, and local growth.
Say Goodbye to Missed Opportunities: Make Your Business the Top Voice Search Result
Ready to be the business that voice assistants actually recommend? At Farfetched Studios, we specialize in getting your brand heard—literally. In a world where “near me” searches are now being asked, your digital presence has to keep up. That means optimizing for how people talk, not just how they type.
From enhancing your Google Business Profile to crafting voice-friendly content and integrating AI-focused SEO strategies, we make sure your business shows up when it matters most. Don’t let competitors get the call just because they showed up first. Let Farfetched Studios help your brand be the answer to, “Hey Siri, who’s the best around here?” Reach out today—because the future of local search is happening right now.