Loading ...Although it’s only 6 years old, Facebook has reached a considerable level of success. It is the largest social network, and just last month, it announced that it had more than 500 million users. Not many companies have this much success in such a short period of time, and those that do, make up an elite group.
Incidentally, another company that is included in this select group is Google. Although Facebook has been likened to the search and advertising giant on many occasions, the list of similarities might get a little longer in the near future. Speculation has it that Google is in the process of developing a Facebook rival called “Google Me.”
Google has had several failed attempts in social with products such as Sidewiki, Wave, and Buzz. However, there are no signs that it is giving up in its quest for social success, especially, since it recently acquired Slide and Jambool.
Even if it is developing the rumored “Google Me,” could it really compete with Facebook? As we all know, Google is clearly the leader in both search and advertising. So, is social the only element it is missing?
WebProNews spoke with Ed DeRosa, News Editor with the Thoroughbred Times, who said he did not believe Google could create a product that could legitimately compete with Facebook.
“If you’re already on Facebook, I don’t really see any migration to another platform that Google would offer. We’ve seen what Facebook did to MySpace – they crushed them,” said DeRosa.
On the other side of the equation, since Facebook has the social component mastered, is it trying to extend its success to other areas? It already has access to valuable user information. In addition, there is speculation that it could expand its advertising platform to other sites, which could pose a direct threat to Google’s AdSense. All that said, is Facebook the one that is trying to outpace Google?
Emily Sandford of Office Suites PLUS tells WPN that she believes the two companies will grow more and more similar with time. She said, “It’s really going to be an interesting fight to watch.”
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you believe Google wants to be a viable social competitor to Facebook? Or, is the social network looking to take on the search and advertising giant?
I believe it would be easier for Facebook to move into other types of ad platforms than it would be for Google to successfully go social. I always assumed that Google would eventually just buy Facebook.
~I LOVE using Facebook to interact with my eBay Store Design and Website Design clients and prospects. I do believe that Google is capable of creating their own social network if they were to add a banner to advertise their social network directly under or above their search engine box which is where all of the Google searchers will see their banner ad to click on.~
~When I go to Google to do a search, I can not recall Google ever advertising their other sites on there with a banner and they should if they want to compete more with Facebook.~
~Google’s search engine page is very plain with only their Google banner on it, a few text links, and their search engine box. There is alot more that Google could do with their search engine page to get others excited about everything about Google, but Google has to get out there and show us what they have to offer their users first.~
~Google, if you are listening, please re-design your search engine page and give us more search engine results with images showing from the search engine results instead of just text links. Give us more news, hot topics, and more information about your other sites on your search engine page. Seeing just text links and text on a search engine results page can look a little boring at times–so why not let your search engine results come with a photo from the website as well? That is just my 2 cents.=)
Tonya
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I read a magazine article a little while ago waiting for a doctors appointment about the beginnings of Facebook and where Mark Zuckerberg originally started from, the uphill battles and such to get where he is today. VERY interesting read – and in light now that even the idea of Facebook taking on Google is impressive for an idea which started out so low key back in the day with students and US colleges.
I agree with other readers here, I don’t see Google succeeding in the social media landscape online like how Facebook has – but definitely agree with Tonya’s comment about Google’s need to give us more graphical and up-to-date search results – think if they tie that in better with social media results, it’ll bridge the gap a bit more for them.
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If Facebook was smart they would enhance their platform with a search engine like feature. Bringing up the most relevant results by likes and what your friends like. For example, Steak Restaurant in Dallas, TX
Its a pity that all we ever hear about is Facebok and Google these days. There are lots of promising startups that struggle to get heard.
Its becoming like old media.Everyone focuses on a few big brands and thats it.
Boring.
It is a question of why you use one website over another. Google has a big success in search, but have so far not been able to extend that to community. Facebook has traditionally been into community, and is now slowly moving into search. Maybe it would be better for everybody, If the 2 companies stayed on their own turf, and made it better, instead of trying to become good at something the other party does.
FB may ahead of Google now in terms of social networking sites, but i dont think they are really competing with each other, of course google wants to take a decent share of this big pie, but google is not only focus on this segment.
Google Is the Best For Ever .
It just goes to show if you know what your doing, then magic happens.
It is very strange to find a new entrant to compete a giant like Google. from nowhere to a level of facebook is like unbelievable.
Facebook can take down Google.
Here is a Tip for both of them:
Improve the “Like” button. It is very easy to just click on these buttons because there are no requirements as to why it was clicked.
It should be made a requirement to enter a reason why this is being clicked. It will decrease Like Farms as well.
I equally enjoy using Facebook and Google. definitely be interesting to see how both companies compete for the globel market. Thanks for the update.
Google is launching “Google Me” and its gunning for Facebook. They say that it’s going to be the Facebook killer.
Google Is the Best For Ever .
videodikha.blogspot.com
Even if it is developing the rumored “Google Me,” could it really compete with Facebook? As we all know, Google is clearly the leader in both search and advertising. So, is social the only element it is missing?
definately agree with the above poster – always thought too that google would just buy facebook but i guess facebook owner doesnt want this