In the past decade, voice search technology has become an industry standard. Thanks to popular developments like Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana, users no longer want to waste time typing when they could be talking.
But what exactly is voice search, and how does it work? Read on to find out everything you need to know about voice search technology—including how it can benefit your business.
What is Voice Search?
Voice search refers to the process of using speech to control smart devices and search engines. At its most basic, voice search can be used in place of typing when looking up information in search engines like Google.
Today, voice search technology can do far more than save you some typing time. Shopping is now a common instigator of voice searches, with users locating and purchasing products using nothing more than their voice. Of consumers who own smart speakers, an estimated 40% make monthly purchases using voice search.
How Voice Search Works
Modern voice search technology might seem like a cutting-edge development, and in many ways, it is. But a rough version of voice search as it’s known today was first developed in 1952 by Bell Laboratories, with a device that could recognize a handful of spoken words and numbers.
Fast forward to the present, and it’s clear that little has changed. Now, voice-activated search engines process human speech and analyze what they hear to detect a question. From there, they’ll access larger data files to find the most relevant response and repeat it back to you.
The same thing occurs when you ask a device to purchase an item from your shopping list. It listens to you and determines the correct course of action, so you can get what you need without lifting a finger.
Types of Voice Search Devices
Search engines like Google and Yahoo commonly feature a voice search option that you can access on any device that supports their site, including phones and computers.
Additionally, voice search is used exclusively with smart speakers, which 35% of Americans have in their homes already. With these speakers (such as Amazon’s Alexa), users search for information, ask for the news, and of course, make purchases.
Voice Search and Your Business
As a business owner, the widespread use of voice search may affect you more than you’d expect. Thanks to its convenience and time-saving capabilities, a growing number of consumers are using this technology to discover and purchase products and services—including yours.
Like the now widely-recognized search engine optimization (SEO), voice search optimization is making waves with marketers. With the right strategy, you can all but guarantee your products are the ones consumers discover through voice search.
Want to learn more about connecting with consumers through voice search technology? Visit apnTech today.
