Voice search, often referred to as Conversational Search, represents a novel form of interaction between humans and machines. In this paradigm, devices are capable of providing answers to spoken questions posed by humans. Conversational search involves the examination of spoken phrases and generates responses that closely mimic natural language.
Today, voice search functionality is seamlessly integrated into a wide array of devices, including mobile phones, home assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home, and vehicles equipped with Intelligent Agents.
In the current landscape, this technology is dominated by four key players:
- Amazon, whose Alexa Voice Search utilizes Bing as its search engine of choice.
- Apple, with Siri now relying on Google as its search engine, having previously used Bing for an extended period.
- Google, naturally, uses its own algorithms for Google Voice Search.
- Windows, through its Cortana voice assistant, employs Bing as its search engine, which is also a Microsoft-owned property.
When users engage in voice search, their primary requirement is a swift and actionable response. This is why, whenever feasible, intelligent agents aim to provide immediate answers, bypassing the need for users to visit websites. The positive aspect of this is that when your content is well-structured and information-rich, your articles and pages may be presented as instant answers by Intelligent Agents, leading to an increase in click-through rates (CTR).
Furthermore, it’s important to note that voice searches often take on a more extensive and contextualized nature compared to typed queries. When using a keyboard, users typically strive for brevity by using as few words as possible to convey their intent. However, when posing queries to intelligent agents, users tend to delve into greater detail, considering various aspects of their context. Content creators should prepare for voice searches by aiming to cater to the intricate and long-tail queries that users might pose.
