There’s no question that Facebook has its shortcomings, as many have pointed out. (“Facebook User Satisfaction ‘Abysmal’”) That said, there’s also no question that Facebook operates one of the richest data mines in the world, with more than 500 million users volunteering information every day on things like music taste, athletic shoes (fan pages) and sexual preference.
The sum of all these parts must form close to the largest pivot table in the world, allowing Facebook to mix and match advertisements down to the narrowest niche. Gone are the Bonobos pants ads that used to drive me crazy. The ads for I’m looking at right now for Californication and cupcakes are more my style.
The idea of Facebook as a search destination for consumers, relying in part on the “likes” and preferences of friends and partly on whatever search functions might be around the corner should be a slightly uncomfortable one for Google. (“Facebook to Challenge Search Titans with Open Graph Search Engine”) With the “Like” feature, Facebook offers up a way for companies, brands and individuals to tie themselves to Facebook – eventually giving their outside page a home within Facebook search results.
As of now, Google hasn’t been able to really successfully bridge the gap between search engine/productivity facilitator and online social network. However, you’re be nuts if you think they’ve stopped trying. Google Me, rumored to be just around the corner, is purported to have the best of Facebook and the best of Google – combining both into a functional, useful and sensible social/discovery/productivity tool.
Sure, Google has made some missteps, but this third time could be the charm. There’s no question that Google has the breadth to take on Facebook, with solid footholds in the arenas of mobile OS, browsers, e-mail (still an essential form of communication), picture sharing, video sharing … etc.
Right now, Facebook really does one thing, and does it … well, semi-well. Let’s be honest – there are a lot of Facebook shortcomings. Getting rid of Facebook Light springs to mind. But Facebook is the perfect example of something so close to so much more. Even for its faults, Facebook still does a better job connecting people – comprehensively – than most competitors who have come, and gone.
However, one area where Google continues to thump Facebook is in everyday integration – not in the sense of accessibility, but in the sense of usability and “nowness.” If Google can successfully integrate its capabilities, various properties and current social tools into an easy-to-navigate, easy-to-personalize social network that sets Google as the users home base for everything … Facebook could have a run for its money.
Speaking of Google Me, check out the trailer for the new film of the same name.
