Google have been developing their Social Search profile for a few months now. Last week we finally saw the emergence of their latest endeavours, a new element within their blended results featuring related messages from your online social circle.
Social Search is now going to appear as an option within Google’s search results. Essentially it works by pooling the public information shared by your online friends and will show those that include the keywords used – in order of relevance of course.
So how does Google know who I’m friends with?
Well, the Social Search element will only appear for those who have a Google profile and are signed in. It collates the data from the links that you voluntarily supply. For example, your Google profile might include Facebook, Twitter and Gmail, with links to each of your related accounts. Google can then reach in and grab your public information – i.e. your friends or contacts list – and include them within your social circle – ready for Social Search integration.
However it doesn’t just go to your immediate friends, the Google Social Search results will include those from the people they follow – i.e. your friends’ friends. This is done on the assumption that they are likely to be known by you and will be able to provide reliable, informative results. This widening of the net will of course open up Social Search and ensure that there are a fare amount of results on offer.
02-02-2010, 06:03 PM
Stephen Google’s Social Search Adds Further Personalisation to SERPs Source: Google’
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