Does Bing have the Panda in its sights with Facebook Search test?

[danimalSK]

Not quite an extinction event* but this could make serious inroads into Google search:

[allfacebook.com...]

In a test which could have significant implications to the world of online search, Facebook is testing the placement of separate web search field at the top of the site.

While it’s not known whether or not Facebook will make this a permanent shift, it’s substantial that the company would even consider having a second search box at the top of the site which sees over 250 million daily visitors.

Unless you follow FB closely, you might underestimate this - don't! Facebook search has huge volume - even in its current largely pointless state - especially for entertainment related searches.

*Would be a real irony if the Panda update - named after a completely useless almost extinct animal - turns out to be the turning point in Google's search empire.

[dazzlindonna]

*Would be a real irony if the Panda update - named after a completely useless almost extinct animal - turns out to be the turning point in Google's search empire.

We could then say that this was when the Panda jumped the shark. :)

And yes, I think this marriage of FB and Bing (assuming it happens), might be the one and only thing that could make a real dent in Google's stranglehold over the search space. Something needs to break that grip.

[BillyS]

Don't bet on it... if it were only that simple.

[dazzlindonna]

Bah, FB says it's not true. Oh well...

[chrisv1963]

This would be a huge problem for Google. Facebook and Twitter are the most important "tools" for many users. The Google homepage no longer is.

[Pjman]

FB will definitely incorporate search. There is just too much money at stake. Search ads are much better a ROI, every marketer knows this. FB ads are almost a waste of money, they are just branding props. Once they went to search ads, I would definitely move my Adwords money towards them.

If Bing were to capitalize on this, which there are pretty good implications of; Google is about to run for it's life.

[crobb305]

FB will definitely incorporate search

I could see them working with Bing, to incorporate the social graph into the Bing algorithm, and providing a Bing search box. In fact, I thought I had already heard something about Microsoft/Facebook working together?

[Pjman]

Bing is using Fb signals in ranking. Google knows their a huge threat, did you notice that the g employees all dumped their facebook pages almost a year ago. Right around the time that Bing formed a bigger relationship with FB.

[wheel]

Yeah, I take back everything I said bad about facebook. If they incorporate search,Google's screwed. Why would anyone ever leave if they can socialize and research?

[tedster]

Facebook sent an official response to SearchEngineLand today.

We are not testing the placement of a separate web search field and have no plans to do so. We believe the second search field or "Search the Web" box appeared on peoples' accounts as the result of unknown actions by a third party targeting the browser (potentially a browser plugin or malware) unrelated to Facebook.

[searchengineland.com...]

[mrguy]

It's to bad. The video I saw of it looked pretty darn cool and it was integrated well. Facebook could really shake up the search and ad industry by doing this.

I'm sure there are people in Facebook who realize the potential of this are are looking at something that will do just that despite of what is said.

I welcome it since it will impact Google in a very negative way by losing a lot of users that I'm sure use Google.

Google needs a good thrashing to knock their ego back into check.

[Pjman]

That is why I so hope FB becomes a public company. Their investors will demand them to add a search ad component. They are the only thing that can contain Gs market share. It needs to happen soon.

[tedster]

I also would love to see it - but don't underestimate what it costs to develop world class search today - and to maintain it against spammers. Only two real players in the search space right now because it takes immense resources.

[Pjman]

Only two real players in the search space right now because it takes immense resources.

MS owns a piece of FB, so it would only be natural that if resources were the problem; Bing could jump right in. Even if Bing sweetened the deal and deal 75-25 split on the profits, the sheer volume of searchers and market shift would be a huge gain for Bing.

The day that happens, Google stock tanks; MS's stock skyrockets. Just like Panda, there has to be some winners and some losers; right Google?

[mrguy]

Only two real players in the search space right now because it takes immense resources.

Agreed and since one of them is already integrated to a point with Facebook, it would be very easy for them to implement it all the way for full blown search.

Come on MSN, make Facebook an offer they can't refuse so we can all watch Googles empire crumble :)

[wheel]

and have no plans to do so

Wow. When I ponder it, that's a fairly impressive statement.

[tedster]

It is pretty huge, isn't it? One way I can make sense of it is the business maxim to "do one thing really really well." Web search isn't social conncetions - and Facebook is a major winner in social connections, but they're not yet doing it "really really well".

As much as webmasters are looking for someone to make inroads on Google's market share, Facebook would rather focus getting their main mission to gel and make money that way. Web search would send clicks outside the walled garden - and that might well be a disaster.

[mrguy]

As if a company hasn't put out statements saying one thing, and then turn around and do another.

There is most certainly a way to run search and keep them in the garden.

Will we see it anytime soon, probably not but we are going to see it and don't think Facebook hasn't noticed Google's failed attempts to crack their social domain market.

Never say never.

[superclown2]

Suddenly that Goldman Sachs investment looks like a clever move.What would Facebook be worth if it replaced Google as no.1 search site?

Mind you, I remember the CB radio craze of a few years back. Who uses those things now?

[ascensions]

It's rather scary... since a few months ago Facebook was recieving more traffic than Google... If I was working for Google... which I sort of am via Adsense.... I'd be crapping my pants... wait I just did.

[mrguy]

For those that think Facebook is a fad and compare it to myspace, a study came out yesterday that shows that over half the US population of men, women and childern use Facebook. Myspace never came close to anything like that.

For what ever reason, Facebook has tapped into something just like Google did when if first came out.

Facebook is here to stay and dare I say may just be the Google search killer.

[Lame_Wolf]

For those that think Facebook is a fad and compare it to myspace, a study came out yesterday that shows that over half the US population of men, women and childern use Facebook. Myspace never came close to anything like that.

BTW, Myspace lost more than 10 million unique users worldwide between January and February. [bbc.co.uk...]

I won't use FB unless I have to raise a DMCA, but many users have more than one account with them. One was reported to have 19 (in another forum). And just because someone has an account, doesn't mean it is being used. Although FB figures are high, I don't believe they are correct.

[mrguy]

Believe what you want to believe.

Just because you don't use it, doesn't mean other's dont.

I use it, my daughter uses it, all her friends use it, everybody I know uses it, my clients use it and insist I put the like badge on all their sites.

Several of my clients get quite a few referrals from Facebook every week.

I don't use Google for anything other than their adroid operating system on my cell phone.

[FranticFish]

I just can't believe that FB will turn this opportunity down. They're going to make enough money from FB ads and FB currency?

To not do this would be one of the most stupid business decisions as far as I can see. I mean, Bing already have the search engine written? Unlike Yahoo using Google, they have no worries about creating a monster. They can use Bing - or anyone else - as long as they like with no worries that they'll lose searchers if they sever ties with their search provider.

[mromero]

mrguy

"I use it, my daughter uses it, all her friends use it, everybody I know uses it, my clients use it and insist I put the like badge on all their sites."

Does the badge slow down the site or prevent a Home Page loading when FB is broken? Does Google like, FB Like Buttons on websites?

I see the FB button scattered through Webmaster World forums but do not see an FB badge showing how many people like it on the WW Home Page.

We put up a business page for a site on FB a couple months ago and have about 1,000 likes so far but have not put a badge on any home page.

[Lame_Wolf]

Believe what you want to believe.

I believe in facts. And the facts are that the figures given are inflated.

Just because you don't use it, doesn't mean other's dont.

I am well aware of that, and didn't say anything about others. I just said that I won't use it.

What I did say was... "many users have more than one account with them... ...Although FB figures are high, I don't believe they are correct."

Simply because one person can (and has) more than one account. Same goes for WoW and other online games/sites.

<rant>And what make matters worse is when one of the owners/operators are interviewed on TV and go on about how many hits they have had, rather than visitors. </rant>

[mrguy]

Does the badge slow down the site or prevent a Home Page loading when FB is broken? Does Google like, FB Like Buttons on websites?

I've seen no difference in page speed with the badge and honestly I really don't care if Google likes it or not.

I don't let what Google likes or dislikes dictate what I put on a site.

If my clients want the button, they get the button. Google don't pay my bills, my clients do.