Near Me SEO Series: Vol. 2
“Hey Google, find a pizza place near me.”
“Siri, where’s the nearest dry cleaner?”
Welcome to the voice-first era of local search. More and more users are skipping keyboards and going straight to their voice assistants for local queries—especially for urgent, nearby needs.
In this guide, we’ll explore how businesses can optimize for voice search using “near me” keywords, and why doing so might just land you at the top of Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant’s list.
Why Voice Search + “Near Me” Is Exploding
Voice search is conversational, local, and intent-driven. Most voice queries are about getting fast, location-specific answers.
Here’s what’s fueling this growth:
- 58% of people use voice search to find local business information.
- 76% of smart speaker users perform weekly local searches.
- “Near me” searches are 3X more likely to be voice-activated than typed.
If you want an in-depth look at why local businesses should care about this trend, check out our guide on How to Rank for ‘Near Me’ Keywords.
That means your business needs to sound just as great as it looks, because voice assistants choose answers that are clear, local, and easy to say out loud.
How Voice Search Works with “Near Me” Queries
Voice assistants like Siri and Google don’t “read” your website like a person. They rely on:
- Structured data (Schema)
- Accurate, concise content
- Google Business Profile
- Featured snippets
- Page loading speed
- Conversational language
When someone says:
“Find an Italian restaurant near me open now”
Google Assistant interprets:
- Intent: user is hungry now
- Location: uses GPS
- Context: wants an Italian restaurant close by that’s currently open
If your content and metadata align with this, you become the voice assistant’s top pick.
How to Optimize for Voice Search Using “Near Me” Keywords
1. Write Like People Speak
Voice searches are natural and longer.
Typed search: “dentist near me”
Voice search: “Who’s the best dentist near me that takes walk-ins?”
Want to see this in action? Learn how a local dentist boosted walk-ins by 72% using “near me” SEO in this case study.
So your content should mirror that tone. Try FAQs and headings like:
- “Where can I find a reliable plumber near me?”
- “What’s the best Thai restaurant open now near [City]?”
Use long-tail keywords that mimic real-life phrases.
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Improve Mobile & Page Speed
Most voice searches happen on mobile. If your page loads slowly or isn’t mobile-friendly, Google will skip it.
- Use responsive design
- Compress images
- Use lazy loading
- Eliminate unnecessary scripts
Pro tip: Aim for <2.5s page load speed.
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Use Local Business Schema Markup
Voice assistants rely on structured data to pull quick answers.
Add Schema markup for:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone
- Hours (including holiday hours)
- Service area
Tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper make this easy.
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Claim & Supercharge Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Most voice assistants source business info from GBP, especially for “near me” searches.
Make sure:
- Your hours, services, and categories are up-to-date
- Photos are uploaded and geo-tagged
- You post weekly updates or offers
- Reviews are responded to (especially with location mentions)
Example:
“Thanks for visiting our hair salon in Downtown Seattle, Jane! Glad you loved the new look.”
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Add Conversational FAQs to Key Pages
Use question-based FAQs to answer local voice queries.
Examples:
- “Is there a 24-hour pharmacy near me?”
- “Where’s the closest vegan café open on Sundays?”
Include answers in short, to-the-point snippets (under 40 words) so Google may pull them as featured results.
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Earn Local Mentions & Backlinks
If local media or blogs mention you with geo-keywords, voice assistants pick up on that relevance.
Get listed on:
- Local business directories
- Neighborhood blogs
- Event sponsorships
- Local influencer reviews
Use anchor text like:
“Top-rated auto repair shop near Midtown Atlanta”
Bonus: How Voice SEO Differs from Text SEO
| Feature | Text Search | Voice Search |
| Query Length | Short (“plumber near me”) | Long/Conversational (“Who is a good plumber near me open now?”) |
| Device | Desktop/Mobile | Mobile/Smart Speaker |
| Format | Typed | Spoken |
| Preferred Content | Keyword-rich pages | Natural, question-based content |
| Google Preference | SEO + speed + schema | Structured + conversational + immediate intent |
Final Takeaways: Be the Business Voice Assistants Love
To rank for “near me” voice searches:
- Write content that sounds like real conversations
- Use long-tail, location-based queries
- Optimize metadata and structured data
- Make sure your Google Business Profile is flawless
- Ensure lightning-fast mobile experience
- Regularly update FAQs and include voice-style queries
Ready to Speak Your Customer’s Language?
At Reliqus Consulting, we help local businesses become the #1 voice search result in their area—whether it’s Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant calling the shots.
Want your business to be the next one someone says “Hey Google” for?
Let’s optimize your voice SEO today.