Voice search, also known as voice-activated search, allows people to retrieve information by speaking instead of typing text into a search box. The trend to simplify and streamline the search process to improve the user experience has driven the development of voice search technology. This popular user interface can save time and reduce effort by replacing keyboard input.
An emerging technology
Voice will always be mankind's best means of communication, and for that reason alone, voice search is a compelling option. Here are a few statistics that illustrate the growing importance of voice technology search and voice-controlled devices:
The market for smart speakers (standalone devices that respond to verbal commands with computer-generated voices) is expected to exceed $30 billion by 2024.
Thirty-four percent of people who do not own a voice assistant are interested in purchasing one.
A Gartner study predicts that by 2020, 30 % of all browsing sessions will involve voice search
The analysts at Juniper Research forecast that the E-commerce with voice search will grow to more than $80 billion per year by 2023.
With the rise of pandemic online shopping and the huge influx of new products into online marketplaces, experts predict even greater demand for voice-driven user experiences.
Benefits of voice search for users and e-commerce shoppers
Voice search saves time by eliminating the need to go to a search engine website and type a question into a search box. From reviews of local restaurants to the latest sports scores, voice search makes accessing information spontaneous, convenient and easy. And when search engines use advanced natural language understanding to generate the answers you want, this technology can become a trusted "advisor."
The voice search in the E-commerce simplifies searching for products and exploring purchase options. Voice-activated shopping is significantly faster than typing text into an online search box and offers new opportunities for personalized, accessible searches and upsells.
For example, imagine you're shopping online and just before you complete your order, a voice-activated shopping assistant tells you about an enticing addition to your order for an extra dollar. Chances are you'll take notice and add the item to your order. Purchasing add.
- Search engine queries
- Query specific information, e.g. stock market prices or sports results
- Launching programs and applications
- Selecting search options
- Search for content in audio or video files
- Hands-free dialing via voice input
- Voice search accuracy requires the effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. AI makes the voice function intelligent enough to capture shopping behavior and habits.
AI-based Natural Language Understanding (NLU) makes it easy for users to always find what they are looking for, even if they don't know exactly what they need. Instead of typing in a search term that results in "no results found," a user can simply ask a question in plain language, such as "highly rated romantic comedies from the 1990s."
By using AI and NLU to identify important details and the speaker's intent, Algolia breaks down the important segments of a verbal request and infers exactly what the user wants. From an eCommerce perspective, this leads customers to the products they want faster, resulting in more conversions and higher sales.
In addition, by analyzing previous purchases, a voice assistant can remind online shoppers of products they have already bought and may want to buy again. This kind of unsolicited advice is not only convenient for shoppers, but can also boost business for marketers and brands.
Voice search is the new cell phone
More than a decade ago, the mobile and smartphone revolution took the world by storm, catching many developers and marketers off guard. Now, voice search is causing the same upheaval, enabled by several popular iOS and Android apps and devices. Here are a few products and services that have practically become household names:
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