Search is Evolving: How to Optimise for Voice and Visual Discovery
Search used to be simple: type a few words into a browser, scan the results, click, repeat. But today, we’re searching by talking, tapping, and even snapping photos. The way users find information has shifted — and that means your SEO strategy needs to evolve too.
Welcome to the era of voice and visual search.
The Evolution of Search
Google processes over 8.5 billion searches a day, and a growing percentage of those come from voice commands and image-based queries. Smart speakers, smartphones, and AI-powered camera apps are changing user expectations — they want answers quickly, hands-free, and in context.
This isn’t the future — it’s happening now.
What Is Voice Search?
Voice search allows users to ask questions out loud and receive spoken answers. Tools like Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, and even voice-enabled apps are driving this shift.
The queries tend to be more natural and conversational:
- Typed: “best Thai restaurant Sunshine Coast”
- Spoken: “Where can I get good Thai food near me tonight?”
As a result, websites optimised for traditional keywords may miss out if they’re not also answering questions the way humans actually speak.
What Is Visual Search?
Visual search flips the model — users submit an image instead of typing or speaking. With tools like Google Lens, Pinterest Lens, and Snapchat Scan, consumers can take a photo of a product, landmark, or design style and instantly get suggestions, similar images, or shopping links.
This has huge implications for sectors like:
- Retail & fashion – find similar items to buy
- Real estate – snap a house and find the listing
- Travel & lifestyle – explore destinations, identify landmarks
If your images aren’t optimised, you’re invisible in these moments.
How Voice & Visual Search Are Changing SEO
- Schema markup helps AI understand your content more effectively.
- Featured snippets are often the source of voice search answers — aim for concise, helpful content.
- Image SEO matters: descriptive file names, alt text, and compressed sizes all help.
- Local search becomes critical — especially with voice queries that include “near me.”
Actionable Tips for Optimising Your Website
- Write in a conversational tone — include FAQs or “People also ask” sections.
- Use schema.org structured data to mark up services, locations, products, and reviews.
- Optimise your images: compress them, give them descriptive file names, and add alt tags.
- Ensure your website is lightning fast and mobile-first — that’s where these searches happen.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Brands
Search is no longer just a box — it’s a conversation, a camera, and a command. And with AI growing smarter every day, businesses must adapt their digital presence to stay relevant. Those who embrace this evolution will be first in line when customers are looking — or asking — for what they need.
At Digital Elements, we’ve already built voice- and image-ready strategies into every custom website we deliver. Because modern search isn’t just about being found — it’s about being understood.
