Microsoft has announced that it will be integrating Facebook into its search results, and also into their search algorithm, which will fundamentally change the way that Bing search results are created.
Bing Search results will now show you personalized results, with results which your friends have liked, from news stories and many more, and it will also show faces of your Facebook friends, with up to three displayed next to a search result.
“The best decisions are not just fueled by facts, they require the opinions and emotions of your friends,” said Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president, Bing. “Search is now more than a fact finder — we’re marrying fact-based search results with your friends’ street smarts to combine the best data on the Web with the opinions of the people you trust the most and the collective IQ of the Web.”
Personalized Search Results
This integration means that when you search for something on Bing, the results will be tailored not just based on the relevance of the content but also on the social interactions of your Facebook friends. For example, if you search for a restaurant, Bing will prioritize showing you places that your friends have liked or commented on. This can be incredibly useful for making decisions based on trusted recommendations rather than anonymous reviews.
Moreover, this feature extends beyond just restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a new book to read, a movie to watch, or even a news article, Bing will highlight the choices that have been endorsed by your social circle. This adds a layer of trust and personalization that traditional search engines have struggled to achieve.
Enhanced User Experience
The integration of Facebook into Bing is not just about showing what your friends like; it’s about creating a more engaging and interactive user experience. The faces of your Facebook friends will appear next to search results, making the search experience feel more connected and personal. This visual cue can help you quickly identify which results might be most relevant to you based on your friends’ preferences.
Additionally, this integration could potentially change the way businesses approach their online presence. Companies might start to focus more on social media engagement, knowing that their interactions on platforms like Facebook could directly influence their visibility on Bing. This could lead to a more socially-driven SEO strategy, where businesses aim to garner likes and shares to improve their search rankings.
Another interesting aspect is the potential for collaborative searching. Imagine planning a trip with friends; you could use Bing to search for destinations, hotels, and activities, and see which options your friends have liked or commented on. This could make group decision-making much easier and more efficient.
You can find out more details about how Facebook is being integrated into Bing over at The Next Web.
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