The anticipatory web will change how people access and use the World Wide Web.
I’ve been warning for a while that the greatest threat to domain names is new technology that requires less searching and browsing.
Owners of premium domains have been hurt as browsers switched from an address bar to a search bar. But what if people don’t need to search or visit a web browser at all? What if computers anticipate our needs and do the searching for us? I call this the “anticipatory web”.
The Wall Street Journal published a story today about Jetblack, a personal shopping service from WalMart. It lets people in New York City ask for product recommendations and order stuff via text message. A team of agents responds to the messages, picks up stuff, and delivers it the customer.
It’s a money-losing venture with a long-term goal: using artificial intelligence to handle the future of web interactivity:
Walmart is using Jetblack’s army of human agents to train an artificial intelligence system that could someday power an automated personal-shopping service, preparing Walmart for a time when the search bar disappears and more shopping is done through voice-activated devices, said Jetblack CEO Jenny Fleiss.
Some people confuse the idea of voice browsing with what we’re really talking about here: systems that can anticipate or respond to your needs without a visual browser.
Maybe that’s via text message:
“When I’m laying in bed at night and I’m thinking about something, rather than going to Amazon and searching, I just text,” said member Julia LeClair, co-founder of a high-end fashion e-commerce site and mother of a 1-year-old. She has asked for recommendations on which sippy cup to buy and for help planning her daughter’s recent birthday party. Jetblack recommended a theme, decorations and party favors, and then ordered the items for delivery.
and
Through the dialogue, the system is learning which follow up questions to ask, said Ms. Fleiss. For example, if a shopper asks for a new stroller, the system might learn to next ask “For how many children?” and “Do you need your child to nap in the stroller?”
I envision a time when your phone or voice assistant reminds you that it’s your mother’s birthday and asks, “Would you like to deliver a dozen roses for $29.95”?
Yes.
And that means one less trip to a visual browser, scanning search results and clicking on a domain name.
JohnUK says
Yes got to say I think that is way that things are going slowly but surely. I guess still the developing World will still be using domains a lot longer than we in USA and Europe but in the end they will become unecessary.
Michael Anthony Castello says
Well, no doubt the inclination for big business is to control our impulses as consumers. That’s were the money is but the internet should be much more than just shopping for the best deals and products. There is the human element and geographical imagery that should be flourishing on the web which can only be achieved by individuals controlling their own domains outside of corporate platforms and walled gardens.
That is what domain names offer to netizens-Freedom, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. As long as we are beholden to their corporate platforms, it will be they who dictate our direction, mobility and passage. Next they will be rating us by our ability as consumers which will give us greater access to their offerings. Much like the Caste system of India and China’s “social credit system”. Be aware.
Mark Thorpe says
Well said Michael. Totally agree with you.
David J Castello says
Domainers shouldn’t worry. Domain names have become personal brands for millions of businesses and individuals. That alone insures their longevity.
Mark Thorpe says
Exactly!
John says
Anyone remember not that long ago when people were predicting doom and extinction for email?
I’m a consumer, and I would HATE a service and technology like that.
Richard says
The Internet was always about the “Long Tail“. Take a step back from the big ecosystems of Google, Apple, FB, Amazon, and you will find millions of medium and small niches, little forums, privates websites that most of us have probably never heard about, but which matter to a lot of people. We could browse 24/7 for the rest of our lifes and still only see a small part of what the Internet has to offer. And all the content on all the websites relies on domain names. Remember, the Internet existed well before e-commerce was a thing. I remember when I was online for the first time in ’93 the biggest appeal to me was the ability to communicate with people from all over the world. Will “voice” change the way people shop online? Probably yes but then again, don’t underestimate the desire of the consumer to hunt for bargains, to read product reviews and to compare prices. AI and “Voice” has still a long way to go. But no matter how it plays out, I’m sure the Internet will continue to thrive, smart kids are working on the new FB, the new Instagram, the new social media sensation right now, and the big dogs of today will go down the same route as Netscape, AltaVista, Compuserve Yahoo and Myspace. The Internet is a magical place where everything can be disrupted. But first you need a domain 🙂
That’s why we all should support net neutrality!
C.S. Watch says
Absolutely. Disruption is something the consumer has come to expect and demand.
I receive a delivery from Amazon and the first thing I think is, ‘Where is the Amazon alternative which ships in minimal packaging–this should have come in a scrawny biodegradable envelope, not a 12×10″ cardboard box.’
David says
Personally, I believe most people prefer a visual experience versus an auditory experience. I predict that the “game changer” will be VAD (voice activity detection) married with holographic technology.
This ultimate technology will only open up so much more versatility for domain name.
The next “Big G” so to speak, will be affordable, interactive, holographic technology.
Exciting future.
Anonymous says
Personally, I believe we’ll destroy mankind and the earth via thermonuclear war and none of this domain name stuff will matter anymore anyway. Have a great day!