mdolla: Five Ways Smartphones to Search Smart

The future of search engine optimization is coming soon. When people think of the future of cars, they think flying cars and driverless cars. Internet searches could undergo similarly radical changes. According to experts, phones may be doing the searching for us in the future. New technologies called “context searching” will allow this. We won’t have to ask for what we want. It will happen for us automatically.

Much of this is already happening. Think of the last time you bought something on Amazon. At the bottom of the order page, Amazon writes “Those who purchased X also bought Y and Z.” Similarly, Google uses your history to show you locations you might want to visit.

Here are five ways your phone will be able to “search smart” for you in the future.

1. Scanning emails

Imagine this: Google scans your emails to find messages about flights and your travel itinerary. When a flight is delayed, you get a text alert letting you know it was delayed. The airlines also send text alerts, but in the future, your phone will search without you telling it to and will find out if your flight is delayed. Google will scan emails for other things too. For example, it might see that you have purchased books and therefore suggest other books in the same genre that you might like to read. It might find you coupons based on your coffee preferences. In the future, Google might search for coupons that could be used at the airport while you wait for the flight. It could find you a hotel if you are planning an overnight stay.

2. Pinpoint locations

Waze and Google Maps could check your search history to determine where you might want to visit next. They could make predictions based on your past to suggest locations you should visit. If you just stopped at a coffee place, they might give you suggestions for restaurants for lunch, bookstores for relaxation, or bars for social gatherings. It might tell you to go to a supermarket when you need to. The possibilities for what your phone might search for in the future are limitless. Your phone’s guesses might not be correct all the time, but they could be a way to predict your movements.

3. Wear the latest searches

Wearable technology is a trend in itself. It can tell you how much you walked, your sleep habits, your heart rate, your calorie intake, your nutrition or lack of nutrition, and other health and wellness data. If you have had a bad night’s sleep, future phones might search for coffee places near you to help you become alert. If you have been eating poorly, your phone might search for the nearest pharmacy or vitamin store to supplement your poor nutrition. Your phone might also give you promotional offers for health and wellness facility memberships. Advertisers will have to find a way to capitalize on this trend of context searching. The data will feed into your phone, and your phone will answer your questions without your even having to ask.

4. Help save your marriage

You might be playing a song on your phone. This song might trigger the need to send flowers to your spouse because it is Valentine’s Day or your anniversary. The phone will locate florists or go online and order them for you. The phone might add chocolates or other helpful hints that would save your marriage. If you do make a purchase from the florist, you might then receive future promotions for Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc. throughout the year when flowers are usually purchased. The flower purchases might trigger advertisements for cards, music, getaways and more to help you look good to your spouse. Search data might show that you need to apologize. You could purchase a gift to say you’re sorry. That data will trigger more options to buy.

5. Plan your outings

Imagine that you have planned a trip outdoors with your family, but the day of the event, it is raining, and you don’t want to go. Your phone could search for indoor outing possibilities, such as Laser Tag or museums. You might be given promotions for indoor activities, such as free bowling tickets. Or, you might have planned an indoor activity but want to be outdoors because the weather is so nice. In that case, your phone might search for suitable activities that are available, such rafting, paddle boats, dolphin watching, or bike rentals for exploring a park. Or, you might be on a trip and need to find something to do. The phone could anticipate your needs based on your location and send you compatible promotions.

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