We’re already over a week into 2018, and the start of a new year is a great time to check in and see where we stand as an industry — and how things might change this year. Prepare for fake news algorithm updates Back in 2010, Google was getting beaten up in the media for […]
The latest in a growing number of studies on voice search and virtual assistants, Adobe Digital Insights (ADI), found that sales of “voice assistants” (let’s assume that’s smart speakers) grew roughly 103 percent in Q4 vs. a year ago. Most of these sales (79 percent) took place in the fourth quarter (lots of gifts). Data
Google said in a blog post this morning, “The [Google] Assistant is now available on more than 400 million devices.” When Google says “devices” it’s including Android smartphones, tablets, TVs, headphones . . . and Google Home smart speakers. What we don’t get from the post is how many Google Home, Mini and Max speakers
Google says Assistant now on more than 400 million devices Read More »
Based on a survey of 2,000 consumers who made purchases on Amazon.com in 2017, Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) has determined that Amazon Echo owners are even more valuable to the company than Prime members. CIRP grouped Amazon shoppers into three categories: (1) those that own at least one Alexa device, (2) Prime subscribers and
Amazon Echo owners spend $400 per year more than Prime subscribers on Amazon Read More »
Google has published on the Google Research blog the search quality raters guidelines, contractors guidelines to evaluate Google’s search results, specifically for the Google Assistant and voice search results. It is similar to the web search quality guidelines, but it changes in that there is no screen to look at when evaluating such results; instead
New search quality raters guidelines for Google Assistant and voice search evaluations Read More »
According to a report on CNBC, Amazon is in talks with several large consumer product companies, such as Procter & Gamble, about advertising and sponsorship opportunities through Alexa and voice search. According to the report: The e-tailer has been in talks with several companies about letting them promote products on the best-selling Echo devices, which are
Amazon in discussions with consumer brands about ads on Alexa Read More »
Image: Google This week, we spotted a new treatment for Google Express in the search results. This included two new elements: a promotion for the program at the top of the results and a new look for Google Express ads in the Shopping carousel. The “Get it with Google Express” promotion at the very top
New test prominently showcases Google Express in mobile search results Read More »
Google is bringing new forms of local search to the Google Assistant and Google Home. The company announced it’s working with local home service providers “like HomeAdvisor and Porch.” On any platform where Google Assistant is available, users will be able to ask for contractors (e.g., “Ok Google find me a plumber”). That initiates a structured interaction which
Google brings local lead generation to Google Assistant and Google Home Read More »
Google announced nationwide expansion of its Google Express relationship with Target. Users in the Continental US will now be able to buy from Target through the Google Assistant and receive Google Express delivery. The voice-commerce relationship extends to Google Home devices. Features and capabilities are nearly identical to those announced in August with Walmart. And while
Target expands voice-commerce relationship with Google to battle Amazon Read More »
A number of Google Home Mini devices that were distributed to members of the press had a defect that caused them to record everything being said around them. This discovery renewed privacy concerns surrounding smart speakers as surreptitious listening devices in our homes. The problem was first discovered by Android Police. Once being notified, Google investigated
Echo and Home will probably have to tell you they’re always listening — in Europe Read More »
