A lot of home service businesses are getting calls right now about something called “voice search.” And if you’ve gotten one of those calls, you’ve probably heard something like:
“You’re not optimized for voice search—you need to fix that.”
Let’s clear this up right away: you probably don’t need to pay anyone for “voice search optimization.”
What Is Voice Search?
Voice search is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of typing into Google, people are speaking into their phones or devices.
Examples:
- “HVAC company near me”
- “Electrician in Baltimore”
- “Best plumber in Kansas City”
Same search… just spoken instead of typed.
From a marketing standpoint, nothing fundamentally changes. People are still searching for local services—just using their voice instead of their keyboard.
Where Voice Search Actually Gets Its Information
This is where things get important.
There are two main players in voice search:
- Google (phones, Google Assistant)
- Amazon Alexa (smart speakers)
Each one pulls data from different sources.
Google Voice Search
Google pulls local business information primarily from your Google Business Profile.
That means if you:
- Have a claimed and optimized Google Business Profile
- Have a well-optimized website
- Are doing solid SEO
Then you’re already optimized for voice search on Google.
There’s nothing extra you need to buy or set up.
Alexa Voice Search
Alexa works a little differently.
It pulls local business data mainly from:
- Yelp
- Bing Places
So if you:
- Have a complete Yelp profile
- Have a Bing Places listing (or one has been auto-created for you)
- Filled out your business info correctly
Then you’re already in a good position for Alexa as well.
What “Optimizing” Actually Means
When we say “optimize,” we’re not talking about anything complicated.
It simply means:
- Fill out your profiles completely
- Add accurate business info (name, address, phone)
- Upload photos
- Choose the right categories
- Keep everything consistent
That’s it.
No secret “voice search hack.”
The Truth About Voice Search Sales Calls
Let’s be honest—this is where a lot of confusion (and bad sales tactics) come in.
Some companies are calling business owners and saying:
- “You’re not on voice search”
- “You need a special service to get listed”
- “You’re missing out on customers”
That’s not accurate.
If your core SEO is in place, you’re already covered.
Voice search is not a separate system—it’s just another way people use the same search engines.
Optional: Taking It a Step Further
If you really want to go deeper, you can improve your presence across more directories.
Two options you’ll hear about:
- Yext (monthly subscription)
- Whitespark (one-time fee option for citations)
These services:
- Push your business info to multiple directories
- Help ensure consistency across the web
Are they required? No.
Can they help in some cases? Yes—but they’re not a magic fix, and they’re definitely not required for “voice search.”
What You Should Focus On Instead
If you want more calls and leads, your time is better spent on:
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Getting consistent Google reviews
- Building strong service pages on your website
- Creating city pages for your service areas
- Earning quality backlinks (like your local Chamber of Commerce)
That’s what actually moves the needle.
Final Takeaway
Voice search isn’t something you need to chase or pay extra for.
If you:
- Have a solid website
- Are doing good local SEO
- Keep your business profiles updated
Then you’re already doing what you need to do.
Don’t overcomplicate it—and don’t fall for the sales pitch.
