Voice and visual search are no longer futuristic buzzwords; they’re the new frontline of how customers discover local businesses.
The days of typing a few keywords and sifting through a results page are changing. People now ask, or even point, and expect instant, accurate answers. Businesses that fail to adapt risk disappearing from this new kind of search landscape.
A growing number of users are asking questions aloud – “Where’s the nearest café with vegan options?” – or using image recognition tools like Google Lens to identify a shop, product or restaurant they’ve just seen. These behaviours skip the traditional keyword-based search model entirely. That shift means search optimisation must now serve not just algorithms, but the AI (artificial intelligence) engines interpreting human intent.
Enter GEO (generative engine optimisation), the emerging discipline that ensures content is not only visible to search engines, but also selectable by generative systems such as voice assistants and visual recognition tools. It combines conversational SEO (search engine optimisation) with structured, data-rich content to make sure a brand can be cited or surfaced in AI-driven responses.
Optimising for this new world means thinking beyond text. Descriptive filenames, relevant alt text and clear local data are essential. For voice search, natural phrasing matters more than ever. The content that mirrors how people speak – rather than how marketers write – stands a better chance of being read back in an AI-generated answer or displayed on a smart assistant screen.
These search channels are converging fast. A single query can now return a map, a set of images and an AI summary – sometimes without a single click. That’s the reality of modern local discovery, and it rewards those prepared to evolve.
To ensure your business stays visible in this new landscape, speak to the experts at Engage Web. We can help you position your brand at the centre of voice, visual and local search – where your customers are already looking.
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