I read an article about social network phenomenon Facebook from Bill Tancer over at Time and his position was that perhaps Facebook was the next evolution of search because instead of looking he found that information just came to you. His example was a bit ‘domestic’ but would apply to so many people that it was credible.
I was about to Google the solution to my cooking dilemma, until a response to a status update on my Facebook profile — which read “Bill is cooking tarte tatin” — pre-empted that move and caused a dramatic paradigm shift in my view of the Internet’s utility.
Interesting opinion but if you have ever actually used Facebook to search (old fashioned-style) then you know Bill better be onto something because you certainly can find a think in Facebook other than people.
If I accept that Bill’s suggestion is true or may become true then I have to wonder what that world will be like, will it be filled with the usually boring topics such as the weather, investment vehicles, whether Wal-mart/ASDA have a discount on window washer, etc. This is not the world I thrive it won’t make me good at work because I won’t LEARN anything that has more substance than picking my nose.
I don’t know about you but as much as I love my friends, family and even peers I am not keen on them constantly piling on their views of the world - feels a little 1984 (George Orwell) to me.
What do you think? Do you think Facebook’s push style of receiving information will eventually replace pull style search?
According to Google’s recent press release, Google has seen significant growth in its European Paid Search operations.
