Facebook Graph Search vs Google
No one ever thought that Google would have a substantial competitor. It is not only a search engine. Its also a part of our culture and even my generation's vocabulary (ex: "Just google it."). But of course the masterminds at Facebook are daring to challenge Google in the search engine market. Facebook's new search engine will be called "Graph Search". According to Facebook, what makes Graph Search unique is that it won't give you links so you can find the answers, it will simply just tell you the answer. But it also takes it to the next level. Facebook, the king of social media, has a "social layer" that can give Graph Search a unique, competitive advantage. The "social layer" to the search engine will allow us to find out not only what hotels are available in New York City for New Years but it will also tell you what friends have planned a trip to NYC for New Years as well and what hotels are most liked by your friends. Graph search seems like the perfect marriage between searching the web for information and reviews by opinions that matter to you most, your friends. Graph search will allow you to make more educated decisions. It will transform search engines into a more proactive experience. If you are going to the gym and want to look up a trainer, you will be able to find out if a friend requested a certain trainer or a certain aerobics class. Graph Search has nothing but potential. Google should be worried. I think it will take time for Facebook to work out the kinks and for consumers to get use to the idea of using Facebook for searching. At first, the idea of using social media as a way to search seemed odd. When one article discussed the possibility of being able to walk into a pub and know that a friend of a friend also likes the pub, then it also seems kinda creepy and a slight invasion of privacy. However at the same time, we are not the most private generation. My generation loves to share every detail of our lives. Graph Search does bring in safety concerns like many social media websites, like Four Square, that disclose location but again it is also the risk that people take when they put their private information out on the internet. But once I heard that it uses the opinions that you value the most, your friends, to make the best educated decision, it will save a lot of time. My generation, whom grew up with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., would love to jump on the idea of another way for us to use social media in our everyday life. Currently, Graph Search is not available to the public but when it does I believe it will be very popular and a fun, new technology for my generation to learn.
