Definition
What this term means
Search queries spoken aloud to AI-powered voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, or Cortana. Voice searches tend to be longer, more conversational, and more question-based than typed queries. Voice search results typically return a single answer rather than a list of options, making the competition for that one position exceptionally high.
Why it matters
The business impact
Voice search is growing rapidly, particularly for local queries ('where is the nearest...'), quick facts ('what is...'), and product recommendations ('what is the best...'). Because voice assistants typically provide only one answer, being the cited source means capturing 100% of the attention for that query. Brands that optimise for conversational, question-based content with clear, concise answers are best positioned for voice search visibility.
Used in context
How you might use this term
“A restaurant chain optimised their Google Business Profile with comprehensive FAQ content targeting conversational voice queries. When users asked Siri or Google Assistant 'where's a good family restaurant near me', the chain began appearing as the recommended answer in their target locations, driving measurable foot traffic increases.”