Loclie

Finding Local Content

Voice Search

Search hands-free using voice commands on Loclie. Perfect for when you're on the go or prefer speaking over typing.

Time to complete: 5 minutes

Voice Search lets you search Loclie by speaking instead of typing. It uses your device's microphone to convert speech to text and find results.

Benefits:

  • 🎤 Hands-free searching
  • 🚗 Safe while on the go (not while driving!)
  • ⚡ Faster than typing
  • ♿ Accessibility support
  • 🏃 Perfect for on-the-go

Where Voice Search is Available

Voice search is part of the Ask Bar on the home page. It uses the Web Speech API (webkitSpeechRecognition / SpeechRecognition) built into your browser.

Supported Browsers

Full support:

  • Chrome (desktop and mobile) - uses webkitSpeechRecognition
  • Edge (desktop and mobile)
  • Safari (desktop and mobile, with microphone permission)

Not supported:

  • Firefox (does not support the Web Speech API)
  • Browsers without SpeechRecognition or webkitSpeechRecognition

If your browser does not support voice input, the microphone button will not appear in the Ask Bar.

How to Access

  • Visit the Loclie home page
  • Look for the microphone button on the left side of the Ask Bar input
  • If you do not see a microphone button, your browser does not support voice input

Mobile-First Web App

Loclie is a mobile-optimised web app. No app download needed - just visit in your mobile browser and add to home screen for an app-like experience.

Note: Desktop voice search requires microphone permission in browser settings.

Step-by-step

  1. Go to the home page and find the Ask Bar

  2. Tap the microphone button (on the left side of the Ask Bar)

    • The button turns red and pulses when actively listening
    • If there is a problem, the button turns amber with an error icon

  3. Grant microphone permission (first time only)

    • Your browser will prompt you to allow microphone access
    • On iOS Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Microphone to enable
    • Permission is typically needed only once per browser

  4. Speak your search query

    • Speak clearly at a normal pace
    • Use natural language (e.g., "Where can I get coffee?")
    • The speech recognition is set to Australian English (en-AU)
    • You will see your words appear in the Ask Bar input as you speak (interim results)

  5. Review the transcribed text

    • Your speech is converted to text and shown in the Ask Bar
    • You can edit the text before submitting if needed

  6. Tap the orange send button to submit the query

    • Voice search does NOT automatically submit - you need to tap send
    • This gives you a chance to review and correct the transcription

  7. View results

    • Results appear in the full-screen panel, the same as a typed query
    • You will see pipeline stage feedback ("Searching...", "Ranking results...", "Selecting best matches...") as the search progresses

Voice Commands & Examples

Finding Businesses

What to say:

  • "Coffee shops near me"
  • "Find Italian restaurants"
  • "Pizza places open now"
  • "Show me gyms in Byron Bay"
  • "Where can I get a haircut?"

Response: Lists matching businesses

Finding Events

What to say:

  • "What's on this weekend?"
  • "Events today"
  • "Live music tonight"
  • "Markets near me"
  • "Family activities"

Response: Shows upcoming events

Finding Jobs

What to say:

  • "Jobs in Byron Bay"
  • "Hospitality jobs near me"
  • "Part-time work available"
  • "Chef positions"

Response: Shows matching job listings

General Questions

What to say:

  • "Where can I park my van?"
  • "Is there free camping near here?"
  • "What is there to do for a couple of hours?"

Response: AI-generated answer with relevant entity cards

Voice Search Best Practices

✅ DO: Speak Clearly

Good practice:

  • Normal speaking pace
  • Clear pronunciation
  • Quiet environment
  • Phone/device close to mouth (15-20cm)

Why: Better recognition accuracy

✅ DO: Use Natural Language

Good examples:

  • "Find coffee shops near me"
  • "Show me Italian restaurants"
  • "What's on this weekend?"

Why: Voice search is designed for natural speech

✅ DO: Include Location

Good examples:

  • "Cafes in Byron Bay"
  • "Restaurants near me"
  • "Events in Ballina"

Why: Helps narrow results to your area

✅ DO: Be Specific

Good examples:

  • "Vegan restaurants open now"
  • "Dog-friendly beaches"
  • "Cheap eats for lunch"

Why: More specific = better results

❌ DON'T: Speak Too Fast

Poor example:

  • "Ineedcoffeenowwheresthenearestrestaur ant"

Better:

  • "I need coffee now. Where's the nearest cafe?"
  • Pause between sentences
  • One query at a time

Why: Fast speech reduces accuracy

❌ DON'T: Use in Noisy Places

Avoid:

  • Busy streets
  • Loud restaurants
  • Concerts/events
  • Cars with windows down
  • Windy outdoors

Better:

  • Find quieter spot
  • Use text search instead
  • Cup hand around microphone

Why: Background noise confuses recognition

Common Voice Commands by Category

Food & Drink

Quick Meals:

  • "Fast food near me"
  • "Breakfast open now"
  • "Lunch delivery"

Dining Out:

  • "Fine dining in Byron Bay"
  • "Romantic restaurants"
  • "Places with outdoor seating"

Specific Cuisine:

  • "Mexican restaurants"
  • "Thai food near me"
  • "Vegan cafes"

Services

Personal Care:

  • "Hair salons near me"
  • "Nail salon"
  • "Barbershop"
  • "Spa and massage"

Auto Services:

  • "Car mechanic"
  • "Tire shop"
  • "Car wash"

Home Services:

  • "Plumber near me"
  • "Electrician"
  • "Handyman"

Shopping

General:

  • "Clothing stores"
  • "Gift shops"
  • "Bookstores"

Specific:

  • "Surf shops"
  • "Hardware store"
  • "Pet store"
  • "Organic grocery"

Activities

Fitness:

  • "Gyms near me"
  • "Yoga studios"
  • "Pilates classes"

Entertainment:

  • "Live music tonight"
  • "Things to do today"

Outdoors:

  • "Beaches"
  • "Hiking trails"
  • "Parks"

Voice Search Tips

1. Speak Commands, Not Sentences

Instead of: "Hi Loclie, I was wondering if you could help me find some good Italian restaurants that are open right now in Byron Bay please?"

Say: "Italian restaurants open now in Byron Bay"

Why: Shorter = faster processing

2. Pause After Speaking

Do:

  1. Speak your query
  2. PAUSE (1-2 seconds)
  3. Let system process
  4. Wait for results

Don't:

  • Keep talking after query
  • Interrupt processing
  • Say multiple queries at once

Why: System needs time to process

3. Retry if Misheard

If voice search misinterprets:

  1. Check what text appeared
  2. Tap microphone again
  3. Speak more clearly
  4. Or edit text manually

Common fixes:

  • Speak slower
  • Enunciate better
  • Move to quieter spot
  • Use different words

4. Use Keywords First

Good structure: [WHAT] + [WHERE] + [WHEN]

Examples:

  • "Coffee" + "near me" + "open now"
  • "Italian restaurant" + "Byron Bay" + "tonight"
  • "Events" + "Ballina" + "this weekend"

Why: Important words first = better results

Microphone Not Working

Check:

  1. Permission granted?

    • On iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Microphone > Allow
    • On Android/Desktop: Check browser settings > Site permissions > Microphone
    • The Ask Bar will show an amber warning if permission is denied

  2. Mic not muted?

    • Check device volume
    • Check mic hardware switch (some laptops)
    • Check case/cover not blocking mic

  3. Browser supported?

    • Chrome, Edge, and Safari support voice input
    • Firefox does NOT support the Web Speech API
    • If no microphone button appears, your browser is not supported

  4. Other apps using mic?

    • Close other apps that may be using the microphone
    • Restart your browser

Still not working?

  • Test mic on another website that uses voice input
  • Check for browser updates
  • Try Chrome (best support for Web Speech API)

Voice Not Recognized

Try:

  1. Speak more clearly

    • Slower pace
    • Better enunciation
    • Louder volume

  2. Reduce background noise

    • Find quieter location
    • Close windows
    • Move away from noise sources

  3. Check microphone position

    • Hold device 15-20cm from mouth
    • Speak directly at microphone
    • Don't cover mic with hand/case

Wrong Results

If search finds wrong things:

  1. Be more specific

    • Add location: "in Byron Bay"
    • Add category: "coffee shops"
    • Add constraint: "open now"

  2. Use different words

    • "Restaurant" instead of "eatery"
    • "Cafe" instead of "coffee house"
    • Standard terms work best

  3. Check recognized text

    • See what was heard
    • Edit if misheard
    • Retry with clearer speech

Privacy & Security

What We Record

During voice search:

  • ✅ Voice converted to text
  • ✅ Search query (text only)
  • ✅ Search results clicked

What we DON'T record:

  • ❌ Voice audio files
  • ❌ Conversations before/after
  • ❌ Background conversations

Voice Data Handling

How it works:

  1. You speak into your device
  2. Your browser's built-in Web Speech API converts speech to text
  3. The text is used as a search query in the Ask Bar
  4. Loclie only receives the text - never the audio

We do NOT:

  • Receive or store voice recordings
  • Process audio on our servers
  • The voice-to-text conversion happens entirely through your browser's built-in speech recognition (e.g., Chrome uses Google's speech service)

Your Privacy Controls

You can:

  • ✅ Revoke microphone permission anytime
  • ✅ Use text search instead
  • ✅ Review privacy policy

Learn more: Privacy Settings

Voice Search vs Text Search

When to Use Voice

Use voice search when:

  • Hands are busy
  • Walking/moving
  • Prefer speaking
  • Quick search needed
  • Accessibility needs
  • On mobile device

Examples:

  • On the go
  • Cooking
  • Exercising
  • Multitasking

Note: Never use while driving - pull over safely first

When to Use Text

Use text search when:

  • In quiet/private location
  • Complex search query
  • Exact business name
  • Need precision
  • Privacy concerns

Examples:

  • Office/library
  • Complex filters needed
  • Specific business search
  • Taking your time

Tip: Both work great! Use whichever is more convenient.

Accessibility Features

Voice Search Helps With

Motor Impairments:

  • No typing needed
  • Hands-free operation
  • Easy activation

Visual Impairments:

  • Works with screen readers
  • No need to see keyboard
  • Audio feedback

Cognitive Support:

  • Natural language
  • No memorizing syntax
  • Simple one-step process

Next Steps

Now that you've mastered voice search:

Keep talking!

Need help?

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