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Social networking site Facebook is planning to expand its search engine presence online in a bid to compete with Google.
The site is making changes to its search function by adding a user’s search history within the social network to the activity log, the company said.
At the recent TechCrunch’s Disrupt conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussed Facebook’s long-term goals. He noted the company had an opportunity to use its more personalised information to answer specific questions for Facebook users and its advertisers.
Currently, in addition to user activity such as ‘liking’ or commenting on a post, the activity log contains a user’s search history from within the social network. Privacy concerns have been voiced but the company says the information is only available to the user and to Facebook.
Mr Zuckerberg acknowledged the company has a team working on search within Facebook. He pointed to the opportunities the company has with search, noting it has a billion queries per day without putting any additional effort into it.
Rather than a simple Google search, Mr Zuckerberg said a query within Facebook would offer users ‘personalised recommendations such as which of their friends likes a certain restaurant nearby, or could seek out acquaintances in a company where they’re interested in working’.
Brian Carter, internet marketing expert, claimed that Facebook can’t only on focus on search, but its chances for competing in the market are ‘significant’.
“I think Facebook has a big opportunity if they take on Google,” he told TechNewsWorld.
The changes are said to be phased in gradually much like the much disputed Timeline feature.
