Voice search, also called voice-enabled, allows the user to use a voice command to search the Internet, a website, or an app. In a broader definition, voice search includes open-domain keyword query on any information on the Internet, for example in Google Voice Search, Cortana, Siri and Amazon Echo. Voice search is often interactive, involving several rounds of interaction that allows a system to ask for clarification. Voice search is a type of dialog system.
“25% of searches on Windows 10 are voice searches”
Why is voice search important?
You may be thinking, “Voice search? None of my customers use that!” But take a look at some industry statistics. You may realize how fast voice search is growing and why you should start optimizing your website for it.
- 50% of all searches will be voice searches by 2020.
- 50% of people now use voice search when researching products according to Social Media Today.
- 40% of adults now use voice search once per day.
So, by 2020, it’s estimated that of the 40,000 searches performed every second, half will be voice search. So now that you know its potential, you’re probably wondering how it works, and how you can start optimizing your website for voice search.
Why is voice search growing so quickly?
There are 3 main drivers behind this trend. First, searching with your voice is 3.7x faster than typing (Bing). Faster searches=faster answers. So it’s no surprise that more people are using their voice instead of a keyboard. Second, voice is perfect for mobile searches. In fact, nearly 60% of mobile searchers use voice search at least “some of the time” (Stone Temple). Finally, voice search is more convenient. That’s probably why more than half of respondents in one survey stated they use voice search so they “don’t have to type” (Stone Temple). Typing “how tall is the tallest building in the world” on an iPhone is a huge pain. But saying the same phrase out loud is an absolute breeze. It’s clear that voice search isn’t just hype. It’s a legit trend. And it’s a trend that’s already affecting SEO.
What do people search for?
How does voice search works?
As humans talk, small packets of sound known as “Phones” are created from our speech, and correspond to a group of letters in words. Speaking the word cats for example corresponds to “c,” “a,” and “t” phones. The term used is Phonemes which literally refers to blocks of sounds from which all words are constructed. To separate Phones and Phonemes, a phone is known to be real bits of sounds, while Phonemes are ideal bits of sound stored in the minds; thus, they are sound fragments that are never actually spoken.
The ears catch phones floating through the air while we listen to a voice and our brain turns them back into words, emotions, sentences and ideas. He happens so easily that our subconscious makes it seem like a magic trick, and it is too easy to listen. Phonemes and phones are controlled by machines and mobile search apps, but actual bits are analyzed and processed to be recognized as speech. This is one of the dynamic areas of computer science, since it is an interdisciplinary computational, mathematical, and linguistic structure.
In short, voice search works by reading the result pulled into the featured fragment, which is in zero place. And when you ask your Voice Assistant a question (Siri, Google Home, Amazon Echo, etc.) they can use the details in the Featured Snippet to respond to your question.
Voice search is less popular for mobile users but having Position Zero has other benefits for business to business as well as business to consumer companies. Once you have obtained your website will receive the following immediate advantages for mobile and desktop searches like click-through performance improved, augmented traffic, and also greater exposure for the company. It’s important to note though that these features are always changing! Considering that Google operates to provide the user with the best search experience, a certain level of fluidity is required.
The approach used by the computer
There are four machine use approaches for converting a spoken word into a written word during voice scan. The first is easy matching, where a word is completely recognized and is compared to identical sound stored in the brain. Examination of patterns and features is the second; every word is split into bits recognized by key features, such as vowels.
Primary reasons smartphone users worldwide use voice search
How do I optimize for voice search?
As always, focussing on the user is the most critical factor to rank well in Google. There are some general steps you are required to take. First, identify opportunities: What search queries do a featured snippet produce? In these search queries, how does your content rank? Second, create an action plan: Will you have to add structured data to your page? Would you need to streamline, reformat or optimize your content? Last, changes to implement: Act on your strategy! And if it doesn’t work when you do, then do again!
Resources:
https://www.technology.org/2018/07/13/how-does-voice-search-functionality-work-infographic/