It’s official. Today is the day that Google rolled out its real-time search features. Of course, Google has already talked about its plans to incorporate Twitter into its search results. What has not been known for long is that the search engine’s real-time search includes other sites like Facebook, identi.ca, MySpace, Friendfeed, and Jaiku.
The real-time search results offered by Google come in two special flavors. Your regular search results will show you a link, or a few, of the most recent real-time search for some queries. Then, Google Trends lists Hot Topics, a collection of the latest real-time search queries.
I like the Google Trends Hot Topics feature. It’s interesting to see what everyone else is searching for right now. However, I couldn’t help noticing that most of the results came from Twitter. Most, not all.
It looks like search is getting more robust. I can’t wait to see how Bing responds.
New on my blog:: Google Marries Real-Time Search http://bit.ly/7tiIBH
Search + Social are officially hitched: Google Marries Real-Time Search http://bit.ly/7qldfr
RT @CarolineMelberg: Search + Social are officially hitched: Google Marries Real-Time Search http://bit.ly/7qldfr
Hey Caroline. Been thinking about this the past few days. I think that this announcement will really get some people (read small businesses) using social media to promote their businesses. I'm thinking it will also, unfortunately, cause more spammers to get involved in social media. Not sure yet what to make of that. But this is definitely the future of search. Thanks!
Hey Greg, you're unfortunately probably right about the popularity of social media leading to more spammers – and more spam prevention tools – just like with everything else, there's always those few bad apples. I think the overall benefit for small business owners will outweigh the downsides, however!