Talking to Robots: How Voice Search Changed the Way We Write (and How I Accidentally Asked Alexa to Marry Me)

Let’s take a moment to appreciate a very modern reality:

You can now ask a tiny robot in your living room where to buy oat milk, how to fix your plumbing, or what noise a wombat makes—and it answers.

We live in the future.

Voice search is everywhere: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and even that snarky GPS voice that sounds slightly judgemental when you miss a turn. And while it’s made our lives easier (goodbye typing with greasy fingers while cooking), it’s also totally changed the way we create and consume content.

Especially online.

Especially if you're trying to get your blog noticed without selling your soul or using the word “moist” 17 times because it ranks well.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

First, What Is Voice Search, Anyway?

Voice search is exactly what it sounds like: instead of typing your query into a search engine like a normal 2008-era human, you speak it out loud to a voice assistant.

Examples:

“Hey Siri, where can I get gluten-free croissants near me?”

“Okay Google, what’s the weather in Paris this weekend?”

“Alexa, how do I remove candle wax from a cat?” (Don’t ask.)

Instead of just keywords, voice search uses natural language—like you’re talking to your weirdly helpful tech friend who lives in your phone.

This means people are searching more like they speak—and that changes everything for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

SEO Before Voice Search: A Simpler, Creepier Time

Remember the old days of SEO? When blogs stuffed keywords into sentences like they were trying to win a bet?

Example, circa 2012:

“If you want the best gluten-free croissants in Brooklyn, look no further for Brooklyn gluten-free croissants, the best gluten-free croissants Brooklyn has ever gluten-freed.”

Delightful. Robotic. Completely unreadable.

Then came Google’s updates, smarter algorithms, and the rise of voice search. And suddenly, content creators had to adapt to a wild new challenge:

Write like a human again.

How Voice Search Changed the Game

Here’s the big shift:

People don’t talk the way they type. Especially when they’re yelling at Alexa while brushing their teeth.

For example:

Typed search: “weather Paris June”

Voice search: “Hey Google, what’s the weather like in Paris in June?”

See the difference? Voice search is longer, more conversational, and more question-based. Which means if you’re writing content for the internet—and hoping anyone finds it—you need to optimise for how people talk, not just how they type.

What This Means for Your Content (aka: How Not to Sound Like a Cyborg)

Here are a few practical, painless ways to make your blog voice-search friendly:

1. Use Natural Language

Write like you talk. Seriously.

If your blog post sounds like it was written by a Victorian ghost with a thesaurus addiction, your voice search chances are slim.

Try this:

❌ “One may locate sustainable yoga mats by browsing eco-conscious retail establishments.”

✅ “Where to buy eco-friendly yoga mats near you.”

That second one sounds like a real person—aka exactly what people say when they speak to a voice assistant.

2. Answer Questions Clearly

Most voice searches are questions. So write content that answers them—right at the top.

If your blog is titled “How to Keep Plants Alive When You’re Emotionally Unstable” (relatable), make sure your intro includes a clear answer:

“The key is picking low-maintenance plants like snake plants or pothos and watering them once a week—even if you're crying into the soil.”

Google loves quick, clear answers. And crying plants, probably.

3. Use Long-Tail Keywords

Voice search thrives on long, specific phrases (aka long-tail keywords). Instead of just using “yoga mats”, try:

“best yoga mats for sweaty hands”

“affordable eco-friendly yoga mats with grip”

“What kind of yoga mat should beginners use?”

This helps you show up in those juicy voice search results when someone blurts out a question while doing downward dog.

4. Add an FAQ Section

FAQs are the unsung heroes of voice search content. Why?

Because they literally mimic the way people ask questions.

Example:

Q: “What’s the best way to clean a yoga mat?”

A: “The best way is with a mix of water, vinegar, and essential oils. Spray, wipe, and let it air dry.”

Boom. Clear, useful, and optimised for both robots and sweaty humans.

5. Get Local (If It Makes Sense)

A tonne of voice searches are location-based. Things like:

“Best pizza near me”

“Where can I get a haircut that won’t make me cry?”

So if you’re writing about a business, shop, or service, make sure to include your location. Google can’t guess. Yet.

A Cautionary Tale: The Alexa Incident

While testing voice search for this blog, I tried asking Alexa:

“What’s the best blog on voice search and SEO?”

She replied, “I’m not sure, but here’s something I found online…” and started reading from an Amazon product listing for beard trimmers.

Somewhere in the middle, I accidentally said “thank you”, and she responded, “You’re welcome. Would you like to add that to your cart?”

Reader— I panicked. I yelled “No!” and in the confusion, I somehow blurted out, “Alexa, I love you.”

She paused. Then said:

“That’s very kind of you.”

I have not looked her in the eye since.

So, Is Voice Search the Future?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes, but not in a creepy “robots are taking over” way. More in a “people want fast answers and clean kitchens” way.

Voice search is growing.

People are multitasking. They're cooking, walking, and folding laundry—and they don’t want to type “best way to remove spaghetti from white carpet.” They want to ask it and get a quick, helpful, human answer.

Which means content creators (that’s us!) have to step it up.

TL;DR (Or TL;DA: Too Long, Didn’t Alexa)

Voice search is how people actually talk to search engines.

To optimise your content, write like a human, not a robot.

Answer questions. Use long-tail keywords. Be helpful and clear.

Bonus points If your blog is so good, a smart speaker reads it aloud.

So next time you’re writing a blog, ask yourself:

“Would I say this out loud while holding a taco and yelling at my smart speaker?”

If yes—you’re doing it right.

And if not… well, Alexa’s always listening. Probably judging. But always listening.