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How AI and Voice Search are Revolutionizing Local SEO: Key Strategies for 2024

Last Updated on: 23rd September 2024, 04:18 pm

How AI and Voice Search are Revolutionizing Local SEO

The way customers find local businesses is changing faster than ever, and staying ahead of these shifts is critical for business survival in 2024. From AI-powered search engines to voice search networks, the landscape has taken a dramatic turn. As a business owner, it’s not enough to rely on traditional search engine optimization (SEO) methods—you need to embrace AI and voice search to stay competitive.

In this blog, we’ll explore how AI and voice search are transforming local SEO and why tools like Simply Be Found are essential to keep your business visible to modern consumers. Whether you’re a restaurant, home service provider, or retail store, these new technologies demand a fresh approach to how you market your business online.

The Growing Importance of AI in Local Search

Back in the early days of digital marketing, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were the key players in getting your business noticed. Fast forward to 2024, and AI-powered searches have become one of the most significant factors influencing how customers find businesses.

AI: The New Search Assistant

With AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, consumers can now type or speak complex queries such as “Find a dentist near me that offers weekend appointments” or “Best Italian restaurant in New York City.” Instead of sifting through traditional search engine results, these AI platforms scan a variety of data points—such as reviews, website content, and service areas—to provide tailored recommendations instantly.

For businesses, this means AI is the new gatekeeper to being found. If your online presence doesn’t align with these AI algorithms, you risk getting overlooked.

Voice Search is the New Yellow Pages

As voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant become increasingly integrated into everyday life, voice search is quickly becoming a dominant force in local SEO. Consumers no longer just type their searches; they speak them, and voice assistants return the most relevant local results based on AI-processed data.

Why You Need to Optimize for Voice Search

Voice search queries tend to be longer and more conversational than traditional typed searches. For example, instead of typing “plumber Los Angeles,” a consumer might ask, “Who can fix a leaky faucet in Los Angeles today?” This shift in user behavior means businesses must optimize their content and data to cater to these more detailed queries.

Additionally, voice search often returns only the top results, especially when using devices like smart speakers or mobile phones. If your business is not voice search optimized, you risk being invisible to a large portion of your potential customer base.

AI-Powered Search Engines and How They Rank Your Business

AI is fundamentally altering how search engines decide which businesses to feature. When someone uses AI-driven search platforms like ChatGPT to find a local service, here’s what happens:

  1. Data Collection: AI scans your website to see if your business can solve the user’s problem. It reviews details like the services you offer, your service areas, and your customer reviews.
  2. Relevancy Check: AI algorithms assess whether your content is relevant to the user’s search query. This is why keeping your website updated with specific, detailed information is crucial.
  3. SEO Signals: AI looks for typical SEO signals, such as keywords, meta tags, and backlinks, but it also considers schema markup and local SEO factors, such as your Google Business Profile, to determine if your business is a match.
  4. Local Optimization: If your business serves a particular geographic area, it’s essential that you include this information across all your profiles and listings. AI systems prioritize businesses that clearly define their service areas and have updated location data.

To stay competitive in 2024, you need to ensure that your local SEO strategy is fully aligned with these AI-driven search practices.

Why Accurate Business Listings are More Important Than Ever

Another key to thriving in an AI and voice search-dominated world is making sure your business is listed on all relevant networks. If your listings are missing or inconsistent, you may be left out of important search results, regardless of how good your SEO is.

Expand Your Listings Network

At Simply Be Found, we’re constantly expanding our network of business directories. We currently cover Google Business Profile, Apple Maps, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo, but we’re adding Yellow Pages, SuperPages, and hundreds of other directories to ensure businesses are visible everywhere consumers might search.

When AI algorithms scour the web for local results, they cross-reference data from multiple directories to determine the best match. The more accurate and widespread your business listings are, the more likely you are to show up in voice searches, AI queries, and traditional search results.

Key Strategies for Optimizing Your Business for AI and Voice Search

Now that we’ve covered how AI and voice search are reshaping local SEO, let’s dive into actionable strategies to ensure your business is prepared for this evolving landscape.

  1. Ensure Consistency Across Listings: All your online business profiles—whether on Google, Apple Maps, or Bing—must display accurate and consistent information. Discrepancies in your business name, address, or phone number (NAP) can hurt your chances of being found.
  2. Optimize for Conversational Queries: Adapt your content to answer long-tail, conversational questions that consumers typically ask during voice searches. Include phrases like “best plumber in [city] for [specific service]” or “local electrician offering weekend services.”
  3. Use Schema Markup: Implement structured data (schema markup) on your website to help search engines understand your business better. This helps AI systems quickly pull the necessary information and improves your chances of appearing in local search results.
  4. Update Your Google Business Profile: Frequently update your Google Business Profile with fresh posts, customer reviews, and relevant services. Search engines and AI tools prioritize profiles with active engagement.
  5. Collect and Manage Reviews: Positive reviews can be the deciding factor for AI platforms when they rank local businesses. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and ensure that these reviews are reflected across all your online profiles.

The Future of Local SEO: Staying Ahead of AI and Voice Search

The impact of AI and voice search on local SEO will only grow in the coming years. While we can’t predict all the changes that will take place, we know that businesses must adapt to stay relevant.

By using tools like Simply Be Found, you can automate much of the heavy lifting, ensuring your business is accurately listed across hundreds of networks, optimized for AI and voice searches, and consistently posting new content to engage local customers.

Are you ready for the future of local SEO? Simply Be Found offers the tools and coaching you need to thrive in an AI-powered world. Start optimizing your business today, stay ahead of the competition, and ensure your business is always found, no matter how people search.

Embrace AI and Voice Search with Simply Be Found

AI and voice search are no longer just emerging trends—they are the future of local SEO. If you want your business to remain competitive in 2024, you need to embrace these technologies and adapt your strategy accordingly. With the right tools and tactics, you can ensure that your business is found by more customers, regardless of the platform or device they use.

Visit Simply Be Found today and learn how we can help you optimize your business for the AI-driven future of local search.

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