Voice-Search FAQs: Capturing the 58% of ‘Near Me’ Queries People Now Speak.

Voice search is no longer a novelty – it’s a fundamental shift in how people discover local businesses. Over 58% of smartphone users now speak their “near me” queries instead of typing them. Whether it’s “best sushi near me,” “find a barber open now,” or “where can I get phone repair nearby,” these spoken searches often lead to immediate action – clicks, calls, and visits.

Photo by AS Photography

This evolution presents a golden opportunity for businesses to optimise their websites for voice search intent using conversational keyword research and FAQ-based content structured with proper markup. A smart SEO strategy – like the ones implemented by a London SEO Agency – can ensure businesses become the top answer delivered by smart assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

Why Voice Search Deserves a Different SEO Strategy

Voice queries tend to be:

• Longer and more conversational
  
• Framed as questions
  
• Contextual, including time or urgency (e.g. “open now”)
  
• Mobile-triggered with high local intent

Compare the difference:

• Typed: “cheap tyres London”
  
• Spoken: “Where can I get cheap tyres near me today?”

Voice searches are more natural and spoken in a manner similar to everyday speech. This means businesses must adapt their website content to answer questions the way people ask them aloud.

Step 1: Research Conversational Keywords (The Voice Style)

Understanding how people speak their queries is crucial to capturing voice search traffic.

Beginner Tips for Voice Keyword Discovery:

1. Google’s “People Also Ask” Box
   Type your main keyword and review the common questions shown; these mirror voice search phrasing.
   
2. Use AnswerThePublic or AlsoAsked
   These tools collect real-life question data based on search volume. It shows what people are really asking – perfect for voice content.
   
3. Use Full Sentences in Your Keyword List
   Think: “What’s the best plumber near me for emergencies?” instead of “emergency plumber London”.
   
4. Speak the Search Aloud
   Say the query out loud. If it feels like something you’d say to another person, it’s likely voice search-friendly.
   
5. Start With “How”, “What”, “Where”, “Can”, and “When”
   These question starters dominate spoken searches and are ideal for building a voice-focused FAQ strategy.

Step 2: Categorise Queries by Intent

Voice searchers typically fall into clear intent groups. Structuring your content based on this can help you target the right users at the right time.

Common Voice Search Intents:

• Informational (to learn):
  “What’s the difference between a facial and a peel?”
  
• Transactional (to buy or book):
  “Where can I get my nails done near me?”
  
• Navigational (to go):
  “Take me to the closest car MOT garage.”
  
• Urgency-Based (immediate need):
  “Find a locksmith near me open now.”

Once you understand the underlying intent, it’s easier to write helpful, action-oriented content that meets the user where they are in their journey.

Step 3: Write Clear, Friendly FAQ Content

The most effective way to optimise for voice queries is through a dedicated FAQ section written in a conversational tone. These sections give you the perfect format to answer voice-style questions naturally.

Tips for Crafting FAQs That Convert:

• Use the full question as your header
  Structure it using H3 or H4 tags for clarity and scanability.
  
• Answer the question directly in the first sentence
  Smart speakers often only read the first 30 words, so get straight to the point.
  
• Be specific and local
  Include area names, landmarks, or delivery zones. Example: “We deliver to Croydon, Peckham, and surrounding areas.”
  
• Use friendly, human language
  Don’t overuse keywords. Just write like you’re answering a real person’s question.

Example:

Q: Where’s the best hairdresser near me for kids’ cuts?
A: For children’s haircuts near you, Style & Smile in Hammersmith is highly rated for quick, friendly service with child-friendly staff.

This type of answer works well in voice and text, helping you rank for both.

Step 4: Add FAQ Schema Markup to Help Search Engines Understand

Once your FAQ section is written, you need to help search engines recognise it as structured Q&A content. This is where FAQ schema markup comes in. It’s a behind-the-scenes way to signal that your content is in a question-and-answer format.

Beginner Options:

• Use SEO Plugins (like Yoast or Rank Math on WordPress)
  These plugins make it easy to build FAQs and automatically add schema without code.
  
• Use Visual Builders
  Some website platforms have FAQ blocks that support structured data right out of the box.
  
• Test Your Page
  After publishing, run your page through Google’s Rich Results Test to make sure your FAQ content is correctly recognised.

By using schema markup, your FAQ content has a better chance of appearing as a featured snippet or being read aloud by smart assistants.

Step 5: Make Your Site Mobile, Local and Lightning-Fast

Most voice searches happen on mobile devices. And they’re usually hyper-local. That means your website must load fast, look great on small screens, and feature clear location info.

Essentials for Voice + Local Performance:

• Responsive Design
  Your site should adjust cleanly for all screen sizes.
  
• Fast Load Times
  Use compression, optimise images, and limit pop-ups. Users on mobile won’t wait.
  
• Location-Specific Pages or Mentions
  Create pages for each service area or city, and mention neighbourhoods you serve in the content.
  
• Up-to-Date Google Business Profile
  Make sure your opening hours, contact info, and reviews are accurate – voice assistants often pull data directly from here.

Step 6: Drive Store Visits with Clear Calls-to-Action

Voice search users are often just one step away from visiting or calling you. Make sure every FAQ or service page includes actions they can take immediately.

Smart CTA Ideas:

• “Call Now” Buttons
  Especially helpful for searches involving urgency, like “plumber near me now.”
  
• Click-for-Directions Links
  Connect to Google Maps so users can go straight to your location.
  
• Service Hours Clearly Displayed
  Especially helpful for questions like “Is this open now?”
  
• Reinforce With Social Proof
  Add a line like “Rated 4.8 stars by 250+ local customers.”

Final Word: Turn Spoken Queries into Real-World Sales

As smart speakers, voice assistants, and mobile AI continue to evolve, voice search will only grow in importance, especially for local businesses. By shifting your SEO approach to include spoken phrasing, structured FAQs, and mobile-first design, your business stands a much stronger chance of being chosen as the answer to a “near me” question.

Even small businesses with simple websites can rank for voice search. All it takes is thoughtful planning, a conversational tone, and a layout that helps both people and machines understand your value.

Ready to start? Begin by jotting down the top 10 questions customers ask about your service, and build from there. The sooner your content starts speaking the user’s language, the faster you’ll turn voice searches into visits.