Google Launches Social Search

Just when I was beginning to think that Facebook won the Google+ vs Facebook battle, Google launched a new search that makes Google+ and Google+ business pages that much more relevant. While I’ve always relied on Google to provide the best and most accurate search results I’ve never been a huge fan of their Google+ social media platform and have tried to stay away from their business pages and stick to what works, Facebook.  Now Google has stepped up their game once more by launching a search that understands not only content, but people and relationships as well.

What this means for businesses: While you may be topping the Google charts with your awesome SEO you may want to consider looking into creating a Google+ business page. Businesses that are jumping on the Google bandwagon now will soon be appearing higher in the search results by having their pages visible in social search.  With social search, people and businesses that are relevant to your query will appear on the right-hand side of the results page, allowing users easy access to connect with them.

The premise of social search is simple: Content shared by your friends is more relevant than content shared by random people you don’t know. If you’re looking for a web designer or a good restaurant, you start by asking your friends. If that doesn’t work, you turn to search. Google makes this process instantaneous by providing all of the previous activities users have shared that is relevant to your search. 

Watch out Facebook and Yelp, Google is going to take over the world!

For more information on Google’s new social search platform, please visit Google’s official blog: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/search-plus-your-world.html