Complexity → Clarity

Voice Search Statistics That Prove It’s the Future of Search

Picture of Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Ali, FRSA

Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Ali, FRSA

Dr. Ali is an entrepreneur, digital marketing strategist, researcher, and author of Digital Passport, recognized among the "Top Digital Marketing Books of All Time." A Fellow of the RSA and PhD, his work bridges innovation, entrepreneurship, and impactful digital transformation, driving meaningful change globally.

Voice search is rapidly gaining traction. Before dismissing it as just another technological trend, consider these voice search statistics demonstrating why voice search is here to stay and how you can leverage it for your business.

Table of Contents

The Rise of Voice Search

Alexa, Google Assistant, Bixby, Cortana, and Siri are now household staples. In fact, 125.2 million Americans engaged with voice AI through smart speakers in 2023, a number that is expected to grow to 142 million by 2026[2].

Estimates suggest that by 2026, over half of all households will own some form of smart speaker. This growing popularity isn’t just about convenience; it’s transforming how businesses interact with consumers[3].

Voice Search and Commerce

While voice search is popular, purchases made directly through voice commands are still emerging. Currently, only 27% of users have purchased voice search. However, this figure is expected to skyrocket. Voice shopping, which accounted for $4.6 billion in sales in 2021, is projected to reach $99 billion by 2026—a staggering increase[3].

Amazon leads voice commerce, particularly in grocery and entertainment shopping. Over 40% of owners of voice-enabled devices use them for shopping, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior[3].

Daily Use and Consumer Comfort

  • Voice-enabled devices are becoming integral to daily life. 72% of smart speaker owners use their devices daily[2,5].
  • 41% of users feel they are talking to a friend when interacting with their smart speakers[2,5].

This technology is not passive; it is becoming essential to daily routines, helping users with tasks and providing information.

Local Voice Search

Voice search is predominantly local.

  • 20% of adults perform a voice search via mobile device at least once per month[2,6].
  • 58% of consumers have found local business information through voice search, with 56% of these searches conducted via smartphone[3,7].
  • 46% of voice search users find local businesses daily[3,7].

Smart speakers are also used for local searches, with 75% of users conducting weekly searches and over half doing so daily[3].

Impact on Local Businesses

Voice searches often lead to concrete actions:

  • 28% of users call the business[3,7].
  • 27% visit the business’s website[3,7].
  • 19%[15] visit the business in person[3,7].

These interactions highlight the importance of optimizing voice search to capture local customers.

The Future of Voice Search

Voice search is expected to account for half of all searches in the near future. The technology is still maturing, but its impact on how consumers find and engage with businesses is undeniable[2].

Demographics of Voice Search Users

Millennials are the most active voice search users, performing 39% of all voice searches. Generation X and Baby Boomers are less likely to use voice search, with 17% and 10%, respectively[2].

Market Growth

The voice recognition market is expected to exceed $8.53 billion in 2024, and the smart speaker market is projected to grow into a $30 billion industry by the end of 2024[3]. Amazon and Google dominate this space, controlling 94% of the smart speakers [3].

Final Thoughts

Voice search is not just a passing trend; it is becoming a fundamental way consumers interact with technology. Businesses that optimize for voice search will be well-positioned to capture this growing market. Consider how you and your customers use voice search and take steps to ensure your business is easily found through voice-enabled devices.

Citations

[1] https://backlinko.com/voice-search-stats
[2] https://www.invoca.com/blog/voice-search-stats-marketers
[3] https://bloggingwizard.com/voice-search-statistics/
[4] https://learn.g2.com/voice-search-statistics
[5] https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/voice-assistance-consumer-experience/
[6] https://blog.globalwebindex.com/chart-of-the-day/1-in-5-using-voice-search-on-mobile/
[7] https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/voice-search-for-local-business-study/