Voice search - no longer just in SciFi shows
All of the major smartphone operating systems (Apple, Android, Windows) have a version of voice interface with the device. This can be used to check the calendar, send an email or make a phone call. All wonderful stuff. Shades of Captain Jean-Luc Picard dealing with the computer on the Enterprise. But these voice interface can also be used to ask questions, the answers to which will be supplied by a search engine.
Questions can be simple or complex and the appropriateness of the answers will vary. But I think we can be confident this will continue to improve and will inevitably become commonly used.
The convenience of using a voice interface while driving rather than risking fines or worse by handling a phone makes this a very attractive proposition.
“Ok Google (or Siri or Cortana), where is the nearest petrol station, auto mechanic, coffee shop, fast food outlet, etc, etc”. The possibilities are many and varied.
There are a number of differences between spoken and written searches and these differences have implications:
search queries tend to be longer, which means long-tail keyword phrases are more likely to be relevant. This encourage the transition from highly targeted, very specific keywords to a more contextual focus for content creation.
many of these searches imply an intent to purchase / interact. This is potentially a win for those organisations that are found in these searches. It is likely local businesses that are defined to the various mapping services may be more likely to be found, particularly where the search includes geographic terms like “closest”, “nearest”, “in [Name of Suburb]”, “with 5 kilometre radius”, etc.
only a limited number of search results are likely to considered. In some cases only one option will be provided. This will depend on the query but use of superlative adjectives like “best”, “closest” or “cheapest” may limit the options to one.
various forms of data embedded on the site using Schema Markeup (Schema.org) may help with some specific forms of searches e.g. location schema for searches involving geographic terms, opening hours schema for time of day searches (e.g. nearest chemist open now) or price schema.
online reviews linked to the business may help with search for “best ..”.
This is an evolving area within search engine optimisation. The good news is the tactics you implement to target spoken searches will not be an impediment for mobile searches in general or even desktop searches. Be aware, spoken searches for desktop computers are not that far away.
Why does 'P.S. This is not an automated email' in an email suggest it's anything but automated. (blog.midboh.com.au)
Strange things you read in unsolicited email (blog.midboh.com.au)
Spam SEO Emails (blog.midboh.com.au)
Photo Credit: Yuya Tamai via Compfight cc