Google and Bing Go Social – Twitter and Facebook Updates to be Included in Search Results
After recent back-to-back announcements, Google disclosed plans to incorporate Twitter into their search results and Microsoft unveiled intentions of featuring both Twitter and Facebook in Bing results. Google will be integrating Tweets into their search results while Bing, at least currently, is using a subpage for searching tweets. This will enable Web browsers to view tweets relevant to their queries in the search engines, creating a more robust search experience.
These announcements have come with mixed reviews. Many are hesitant of the high levels of spam in Twitter and the need to have some sort of a filtering system to display only quality Tweets and posts. Additionally, search marketing bloggers are expressing concern regarding how the integration will alter current search engine results and its overall affect on SEO strategies.
On the positive side, there are some promising potential outcomes of these new additions to the engines. From a searchers perspective, including Tweets and Facebook updates in search results provides a new type of search engine experience—returning more results and indirectly creating a more interactive, conversational interface. It also provides the opportunity for real-time trending which may provide an avenue for SEO managers to get on the leading edge of new keywords. The true impact, in terms of SEO, will only be revealed as these search engine modifications are instituted.
Bottom Line—what does this mean for SEO managers? For the immediate future, nothing. As Google and Bing begin to unveil this new capability in the coming months, don’t be too quick to shift campaign strategies and jump on the bandwagon. Wait to see how this integration plays out and continue business as usual until there is clear data to show how the integration is being used and the best way you can take advantage of it.
As always, keep your eyes on the Rise Interactive blog as we anxiously await and report on the happening within the search engine marketing world.
