Imagine asking your phone, “Where’s the best pizza place near me?” Your voice assistant replies in seconds. That’s voice search in action. And if you’re a business owner, you need to show up in those answers. One way to do that? Optimize your citations for voice search!
But first, what’s a citation?
A citation is any time your business’s name, address, and phone number — also called NAP — appears online. Think Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, or even Facebook. These little mentions help search engines trust that your business is real and reliable.
When voice search is involved, the rules get a little different. People don’t type keywords. They speak naturally. So your business info needs to match that new style.
Why do citations matter in voice search?
Voice assistants grab answers from trusted sources fast. If your business info is complete and consistent across the web, you’ve got a better shot at being recommended.
Voice searches are:
- Conversational
- Question-based
- Often local (like “near me”)
That means local citations are crucial for your business. Here’s how to make them voice search-ready.
1. Make sure everything matches
Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info should be exactly the same across every site. Even small differences — like “Street” vs. “St.” — can lower your credibility with voice assistants. Be consistent everywhere!
2. Use structured data
Also called schema markup. This is a fancy name for code that tells search engines exactly what your information means. Use it on your website to label your business name, hours, and services clearly.
Google loves this stuff. And if Google’s happy, you’ve got a better shot of being answer #1.
3. Pick the right platforms
Focus on places that voice assistants trust. Some of the top ones include:
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
- TripAdvisor
Update your profiles on these sites. Fill them out completely. Add hours, categories, and even menus if needed.
4. Optimize for “near me” searches
People often ask things like, “Best bakery near me.” Make sure your business is linked to your city, neighborhood, and zip code in your citations and on your website. This increases your chances of being found when someone asks out loud.
Also add text on your site like “serving the downtown Boston area” or “located in downtown Denver.” These extra hints help!
5. Get more reviews
Reviews are powerful for all searches — especially voice. Google and other platforms tend to suggest businesses with high ratings and lots of good feedback.
Encourage customers to leave reviews. Respond to them too! It shows that you’re active and trustworthy.
6. Be ready for question-style searches
Voice searches often start with words like:
- Who…
- What…
- Where…
- How…
- When…
So your business should answer those questions. Create a FAQ section on your site. Include helpful Q&As like:
- “What are your opening hours on weekends?”
- “Do you offer vegan options?”
- “Where can I park nearby?”
Not only does this help your website visitors — it helps voice search engines find answers to speak out loud.
7. Work on your mobile site
Most voice searches happen on mobile devices. Make sure your website:
- Loads fast
- Looks great on a phone
- Has clickable phone numbers
If your site is clunky, Google won’t pick you for voice answers — it’s that simple.
Final thoughts
Voice search is growing every day. And businesses that want to stay ahead need to play the game. Optimize your citations by making them:
- Consistent
- Structured with schema
- Visible on trusted platforms
- Local-focused
- Review-rich
Do this, and the next time someone says, “Hey Siri, find me a plumber nearby,” guess whose business shows up?
Yours!