In mid-January 2013, Facebook rolled out a new interface that would enhance their search capabilities. They called it Graph Search and you might not have even noticed it yet.
But it’s there. And this article is here to tell you what it’s all about.
Currently, the search bar in Facebook is about as useful as a chocolate fireman. It’s limited and is not specific enough for many people. Which is why they decided to follow Google’s suit and create a useable and effective search function.
What does it do?
- It allows a user to search through their own social ‘graph’. That includes people, photographs, places and common interests.
- It uses much more natural language, which is a little different from how Google works. It works by allowing the user to type in a similar manner to the way they speak.
If you want to find information about friends that have visited Japan, then you would type ‘Photos of friends who have visited Japan.’ It’s that simple.
How does it help me?
Well, on a personal level, it will make traversing Facebook a much more intuitive process. You’ll be able to find what you want, when you want. Which is always nice.
If you have a business, then it’s going to make your company that much easier to find too. Because Graph Search is about the connections made between people and groups, then if your business is ‘liked’ by many, then you will be higher in the search rankings.
All the social things that Facebook utilises mean that they work towards making your searches more effective and making you more search friendly.
- Likes
- Recommendations
- Shares
- Comments
- Feedback and ratings
Looking at the bigger picture
Of course, nothing is perfect. There are bound to be a few bumps in the road. With Graph search, there are a few things that need to be corrected or improved too:
Old data – A search engine is only as useful as the information it can search for. If this information is not updated regularly, it can make searches difficult. People may not use Facebook for some time, letting their information get out-of-date.
Like for likes sake – Because a lot of the search results are based on Facebook ‘Likes’, the data might not be as accurate as hoped, mainly because many people will often like something to get free stuff, or because they were asked by a friend as a favour.
It’s important to remember that the software is still in the developing stages. Remember, you’ve got to walk before you can run.
In conclusion
Eventually, Graph Search will enhance the experience and make sure that you are right up there when certain criteria are being searched. Although Graph Search is still in the testing phase, it shows that Facebook are willing to admit to their faults and head in the right direction.
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