By Bernadette Coleman, CEO, Advice Local

The digital world is constantly changing. Updated algorithms, more advanced features, and smarter AI have marketers, local business owners and brands alike fine-tuning their online marketing strategies to compete. Now it’s voice search’s turn.

Voice search has been growing steadily the last few years and now it’s here big-time. Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, Google’s Assistant, and Samsung’s Bixby are a consumer’s new best friends.

Did you know…

• Pew Research Center says 46 percent of adults in the U.S. are using voice assistants
• 42 percent are using them directly on their smartphones
• According to the Internet Trends Report 2018, consumers spend up to 6 hours on their smartphones each day

With the seamless integration of most voice assistants directly into mobile devices, it’s no wonder people are comfortable using voice for everything from getting a weather update to finding a plumber.

Consumers are especially turning to voice search to find information on businesses, particularly local businesses. The practicality of simply saying what they’re looking for and getting a straight answer has changed consumer expectations.

To stay ahead of the competition, local businesses need to ensure their online presence is optimized for voice search. From content optimization to listings, it’s high-time local businesses reimagine their digital strategies.

In brief: Voice search is changing the way we know and do local SEO forever.

To learn more about voice search and what local businesses must know to get found, take a peek at our newly released voice search guide.