Exploring the Growth of Voice Search in the UAE for Local Businesses

Written like we’re just two friends chatting over karak

“Hey Siri, where’s the best mandi near me?”
If I had a dirham for every time I heard that phrase in Dubai traffic, I’d be sipping iced lattes in Jumeirah all day, pretending to work. But seriously—voice search is blowing up in the UAE. And it’s not just teenagers asking Alexa to play Nancy Ajram. Nope. Everyone—from busy moms ordering groceries to tourists hunting for shawarma at midnight—is hopping on the voice search train.

Let’s be real: We’re a nation on the go. We live in a world of fast cars, faster lifestyles, and a million things on our to-do list. So it makes perfect sense that people are now talking to their phones instead of typing. It’s quicker. It’s more natural. And let’s face it, no one wants to type “best dentist near Dubai Marina open on Friday” while driving down Sheikh Zayed Road.

But what does that mean for your business? Let’s get into it.

P: The Problem — Traditional SEO Can’t Keep Up Anymore

We’ve all been taught the golden rule of digital marketing: get your keywords right, optimize your website, and boom—you’re at the top of Google.

Well, not so fast.

The way people search is changing. People don’t type “cafes JLT open now.”
They say, “What cafes are open right now in JLT?”

See the difference?

That change in format—from stiff keywords to conversational sentences—is reshaping how search engines work. And if your business still relies on those classic text-based search strategies, you might be missing out on a massive audience.

Take my cousin Reem for example. She runs a small floral shop in Al Ain. Gorgeous bouquets, unbeatable prices. But she couldn’t figure out why her website traffic flatlined despite having glowing reviews and decent social media. Turns out, her site wasn’t optimized for voice-friendly searches. People weren’t typing “budget wedding florists in Al Ain.” They were asking their phones, “Who does affordable wedding flowers near me?”

A: The Agitation — If You’re Not Optimized for Voice, You’re Practically Invisible

Here’s where it gets a little uncomfortable (but hey, growth never comes from comfort, right?). If your local business isn’t thinking about voice search—you’re kinda falling behind. Not in five years. Not next year. Right now.

In a 2024 survey done in the UAE, nearly 60% of smartphone users said they use voice search at least once a day. That’s a LOT of “Hey Google” happening daily. And that number’s only going up, especially with the rise of smart speakers, Arabic voice assistants, and voice-enabled apps.

Think about it:

• Tourists asking “Where can I buy abayas near me?”
  
• Expats wondering “Best Indian restaurants open late in Sharjah?”
  
• Moms looking up “pharmacies open on public holiday in Abu Dhabi.”
  

And now imagine your competitor shows up every time they ask… and your business doesn’t.

Yeah. It stings a little.

S: The Solution — Embrace Voice Search Like Your Business Depends on It (Because Honestly, It Might)

Alright. Enough tough love. Let’s talk solutions.
Here’s how you can get ahead and start riding the voice search wave in the UAE.

1. Think Like a Local Talking to a Friend

When using voice search, it is a conversation. We communicate with Siri, or Google in many cases, as if we are talking to a friend. For instance, when thinking about your content, blog post, FAQs, or even content on your homepage. It should be written in a conversational manner, or sound like someone is actually speaking. 

For example, rather than writing: 

“Our salon provides hair colouring services in Downtown Dubai.” 

You write: 

“Are you looking to get your hair coloured in Downtown Dubai? We can assist with that.” 

That one, simple, change can go a long way to alter the various voice search engines will bring you up.

2. Use Long-Tail, Natural Keywords

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s even more important with voice search.
Instead of cramming “Dubai bakery” everywhere, try targeting full phrases like:

• “Where can I buy custom cakes in Dubai?”
  
• “Bakery near Business Bay with gluten-free options”
  

These longer, specific phrases match how people actually talk.

And guess what? They’re less competitive too. So you stand a better chance of ranking.

3. Claim Your Google My Business Listing (and Keep It Fresh)

If your business doesn’t have a GMB listing—or it’s outdated—you’re literally invisible to local voice searchers. This one’s non-negotiable. Claim it, fill out every single field (yes, even the holiday hours), add high-quality photos, and keep updating it.

Why?

Because when someone says, “Find me a laundry service near JVC,”
Google checks the businesses listed in that area with accurate info first. No listing = no visibility. Simple as that.

4. Build a Local Voice SEO Strategy (It’s Easier Than It Sounds)

Here’s a quick checklist you can actually use today:

• Use structured data (aka schema markup) to help search engines understand your business.
  
• Add an FAQ section on your site with real, spoken-style questions.
  
• Write blog posts that answer common local queries.
  
• Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistent across the web.
  

Honestly, this doesn’t have to be rocket science. Just start small. Even updating your FAQ page to sound more natural can be a total game-changer.

5. Don’t Forget the Local Languages

Here’s something most people don’t consider: multilingual voice search.

In the UAE, people search in English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and even Tagalog. To get more local voice search traction, you have to be able to support and service those languages.

That means searching and creating Arabic search-friendly content.

Google Assistant now supports Arabic, so if someone says “أقرب مطعم لبناني فاتح الحين?” (which means nearest Lebanese restaurant open now?), you want to be the one that Google Assistant can provide.

If you can’t write in Arabic, there is nothing wrong with outsourcing. Just make sure it doesn’t sound like it is from Google Translate, and make sure it has an authentic tone.

Bonus Anecdote — How One Shawarma Shop Beat the Odds

Okay, one last story before we wrap this up.

There’s this tiny shawarma joint tucked away behind Al Rigga. No fancy website. No influencer campaigns. But every time I say, “Where’s the best shawarma near me?”—they’re at the top of the list.

Why?
Because they focused on voice search.
They optimized their Google listing, answered real questions like “Do you have chicken or beef options?”, added Arabic descriptions, and even created a few fun, quirky voice-search-friendly blog posts like “What makes a shawarma truly juicy?”

It’s not rocket science. It’s smart marketing. And it’s incredibly human.

Conclusion — It’s Time to Be Heard

There’s no other way to say it: voice search isn’t coming. 

It has arrived. 

And in the whirlwind that is the multilingual, tech-crazy, hyper-competitive UAE – it’s changing how people search locally for businesses. If you want to ignore the voice aspect of search, it’s not just traffic you’re missing. You’ll be missing real customers who use money, not search. 

But, there is a bright side. 

For the most part, small businesses have yet to wake up to this trend. That means you have a leg up on your rivals. So get your voice search on. 

Revamp your website. Rewrite your boring FAQs. Use the same words as your customers do.

Claim your listing. Use the words they use. Be genuine. 

Because when someone whispers to their phone, “Where can I find the best of what you do?” – 

 You want to be the voice they hear back.