Graph Search is the next big thing on Facebook. Everyone’s talking about how it will impact Facebook from a user’s perspective and how businesses can leverage it.
In particular, I wanted to get a better idea of what all of the Facebook marketing experts thought about it, so I surveyed a bunch of my friends!
Mari Smith, MariSmith.com:
Graph Search is the start of a game-changing feature for Facebook. I’ve been waiting for a much improved Search product on Facebook for over five years. Any time I ever want to find anything (public) on Facebook, I’ve always just done a Google search for it. Ironic! Now, the possibilities are extremely exciting with the new Graph Search and how that will evolve to include search of actual posts, and on fan pages. And, of course, mobile. Plus, when the API eventually rolls out, a whole new sub-industry will emerge with app and ad product developers creating all manner of tools to surface the most hyper-targeted content and results. Ultimately, the more time users spend on Facebook, the better that is for businesses… and advertisers. I’m actually thrilled Facebook’s Big Reveal was Graph Search and not the fPhone. :)
Amy Porterfield, AmyPorterfield.com:
I’ve always felt that search capabilities via Facebook have been extremely lacking, and the announcement of Graph Search is a welcomed feature. I personally think it adds a greater layer of connection and a richer experience overall. Also, after Facebook has had some time to fine tune its new feature (because we all know there are likely to be some bugs to work out!), I also see Graph Search playing an important role in Facebook ad targeting. As marketers, the data we can collect from specific searches can greatly refine our targeting capabilities. I’m looking forward to diving in and testing it out!
Emeric Ernoult, AgoraPulse:
Facebook has been thinking about search for a while. Here it comes! I think it already looks great for a Beta. As Facebook is pretty good at improving its products very fast based on users’ behavior and feedback, I’m confident it will quickly evolve from “good” to “great!” As it stands, I don’t think this will replace Google, but will be a great addition to it, at least for a long while…
Brian Carter, BrianCarterYeah.com:
Initially I wasn’t impressed because the key question is how many people will use it? And will it seem so creepy that it leads people to be more private with their information? Wall St. was disappointed that there was no mention of monetization. But it is an interesting addition and if people get used to using it, it has a lot of applications. Strategically, it could be a step toward competing with both Google and LinkedIn. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them push search more as part of the interface (they have to teach people to search more different things on Facebook if they ever want to tackle the buying intent search world), and push getting more accurate workplace and job title info into Facebook profiles.
Andrea Vahl, AndreaVahl.com:
I think Facebook’s Graph Search could be huge for brands and companies who are doing Facebook well. I think Graph Search will be a whole new way to leverage social proof by providing it at a friend level. I think if the Graph Search is done well and provides meaningful results then we’ll see a lot of brands and companies focusing more on individual experiences.
Chad Wittman, EdgeRankChecker:
The real value of Graph Search is retargeting ads. Let’s not get blinded by their use cases. This is about capturing search queries that can be used to retarget. The financial implications (if actually used) can be immense. The real question is whether or not people will actually use this.
Dennis Yu, BlitzMetrics:
Expect that graph search will have ads of higher value even than sponsored results. But direct marketers will be disappointed with low volumes, since 99% of users navigate versus actually search on Facebook. This is not a Google killer.
Justin Lafferty, AllFacebook.com:
I really think it targets Yelp and other recommendation sites more than Google. I look at it this way: you can search for a BBQ joint in your city on Yelp and through Facebook’s graph search. Yelp will give you people you probably don’t know. Facebook will let you see which of your friends checked in and liked the restaurant’s page, so you can follow up with them to see if they enjoyed it or if they’d recommend you go somewhere else. I see graph search really as more of a conversation starter. If you see that a friend checked in somewhere or liked a page, it doesn’t tell you a whole lot, but you’ll probably be tempted to shoot them a message or a text asking them about their experience.
John Haydon, JohnHaydon.com:
Graph Search will allow us to discover surprising things about even our closest friends (Jon Loomer owns every Abba record!!?), and also let advertisers target what people are searching for (similar to Google) in addition to targeting based on likes, interests and connectionsWithin your ad set, you can further narrow targeting by adding a connection to a page, app, or event that you control. More. As long as Facebook can respect user boundaries around privacy, Graph Search should be a win for users and marketers.
Mike Maghsoudi, PostRocket:
I’d say Graph Search is a no-brainer. It’s a great way for Facebook to utilize the absurd amount of data it has and knows about its users. Social context for questions like ‘What are some great Mexican restaurants in San Francisco (that my friends like)?’ is powerful. It’s an obvious revenue stream, too, as businesses could pay to be shown at the top of the list.
Blake Jamieson, BlakeJamieson.com:
In the past, I’ve spent hours building Facebook Lists of people with a common interest or location. For example, friends who live in LA that surf. I used those lists to filter my news feed, or reachReach measures the number of Accounts Center accounts (formerly users) that saw your ads at least once. You can have one account reached with multiple impressions. More out to someone to go surfing with. Now with graph search, that filtering process can happen on the fly, and extend outside of my immediate friends. I find Graph search very exciting for my personal life, and also as a marketer.
Jim Belosic, ShortStack:
I’m honestly still trying to come up with some good ways to leverage graph search (besides the examples that they have already stated). I have some ideas as to how brands will be able to use it, especially for search, but it’s too early to speculate on what the brand-specific offerings will be at this time. Overall, I think it’s great that they are allowing “access” to data that they’ve had all along, but we’ll have to wait and see how much they give to brands when it comes to micro-targeting using Graph search.
