Voice Search, AI and the Future of SEO
We’re no longer alone in our digital journey toward answers. Siri, Alexa, Gemini, ChatGPT — our new virtual companions (and research assistants) — are here to help lighten the load. These AI companions have helped us uncover more than new treasures. They’ve unlocked new paths and ways of doing online searches. We’re entering a new era of SEO, one powered by AI and driven by voice.
At TRIO, our human-driven, AI-powered marketing agency is helping nonprofits and businesses adapt to this fast-moving shift with smarter content, optimized strategy and tools built for the future. Here’s what you need to know and how to stay ahead.
How is voice search affecting SEO?
There are now more voice-enabled devices than people on the planet, 8.4 billion to 8.2 billion. And nearly one in five internet users uses voice search regularly. If you’ve ever said “Hey, Alexa…” you’re one of them!
Whether it’s a parent in the car asking, “Where is the closest playground?” or a small business or nonprofit wondering, “Who are the top marketing agencies in Charleston?” voice queries are happening all around you. And they’re not being typed. They’re being spoken.
Why that matters:
- Voice searches tend to be longer, more conversational and more question-based. (Did you notice this section header?)
- People use voice when they want fast, simple answers, especially when on the go or multitasking.
- Most voice answers come from only one source, not a long list of links.
If your content isn’t structured to answer those questions clearly, it won’t show up. And that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The rise in AI and AI-powered search is changing SEO best practices even further.
How is AI changing SEO best practices?
The rise of artificial intelligence, from Google’s AI Overviews to tools like ChatGPT, is reshaping how people find and trust information.
Instead of sifting through dozens of links, users can now get direct, summarized answers from AI-powered search engines. That means:
- Search results are becoming more visual, more personalized and often zero-click.
- AI decides which content gets quoted in answers, making credibility and clarity more important than ever.
- Keywords still matter, but if you’re prioritizing AI summaries, what matters more is whether your content matches the intent behind the question.
For businesses and nonprofits trying to rank in this new world, it’s not just about SEO. It’s about being the best, most trusted answer to your audience’s questions.
How can AI affect a blogging and SEO strategy?
If you’re a small business or nonprofit trying to stand out in your space, here’s what you should focus on:
- Think conversational. Use the language your audience uses. Anticipate the questions they’d ask out loud, and answer them clearly on your site.
- Structure your content for voice and AI. Short, clear answers up top. Organized content with headers. Schema markup (like FAQs) that helps search engines understand what you’re saying.
- Prioritize your local presence. Voice searches are 3x more likely to be local. Make sure your Google Business Profile is up to date, your reviews are strong, and your hours and services are accurate.
- Create trustworthy, human-first content. AI can’t replace authenticity. Highlight your experience, expertise and impact in a way that AI can recognize and your community can feel.
And if you’re unsure about tackling this new frontier with just your AI tool, modern marketing agencies worth their salt are specializing in these AI efforts.
Future-proof your marketing with help from TRIO.
At TRIO, we’ve been preparing for this shift…because we’ve seen it coming. Whether you’re updating your SEO strategy, optimizing your website for voice and AI-driven search, or creating E-E-A-T-rich content that ranks and resonates, TRIO combines human creativity with AI-powered insight to help your brand stand out. Let’s make your content the answer people (and algorithms) are looking for. Contact us to get started.
