Why Search is Second to Social Media

by | Oct 7, 2010 | Blog

A few months back I read this article by Yuli Ziv that basically describes the decline of Search and places a equal or higher value on Social Media. She makes 5 Points

  1. The Search Process is Inefficient

  2. Mobile GPS Eliminates the Need for Location-Based Search

  3. Social Matching Could Create Valuable Connections

  4. Content Recommendations to Replace Search

  5. Suggestions Will Be the Core of Our Shopping Experience

I’m not sure why but I waited quite a while before writing this post. Part of the reason is that I didn’t just want to ride on her coattails. I hate that. You see it all the time. Someone like Ms. Ziv (who is a high quality blogger) writes something inspirational and smart and then everyone else on the web puts it on their site site. In lots of ways its a really good thing but every now and then its just another form of ripping off the blog world.

The other reason I held off is that sometimes we hear an argument and it seems like its logical but we just aren’t sure if it truely sits agreeably with us. This is one of those times. You see its not that I think that Ms. Ziv is wrong, its just that I’m not quite sure how correct she is either.

Lets look at her points.

  1. The Search Process is Inefficient – Sure it is but it keeps getting better.

  2. Mobile GPS Eliminates the Need for Location-Based Search – This is where I don’t 100% agree.  GPS does a lot, and I think that 4Square has the right idea and the right concept but I think that people will always be wanting to search for information when they aren’t in the same geographic area. Example is I’m planning on going on vacation to beautiful Winnipeg, Manitoba but I want to gather as much information as possible before I go. Sure it will be great to get information when I’m there… (Get a coffee around the corner) but it also will be nice to plan where I can meet a client for drinks before I get on the plane.

  3. Social Matching Could Create Valuable Connections – Sure it will be nice to have a tool that combines Facebook/LinkIn/4Square but its just not there yet. Maybe in the next decade it will be. Lets wait and see. The implications are fantastic. A car repair shop/financial planner/therapist/attorney/etc  that I instantly know that all my friends use, one that has great references at a glance! Super!

  4. Content Recommendations to Replace Search – I agree that Content Recommendations are going to be huge. The public no longer wants to be sold but wants to know what our friends and other influnce peddlers are using and liking. If I know what brand of computer my local Tech Guru is using I’m more likely to also use that brand and maybe even the same configuration.

  5. Suggestions Will Be the Core of Our Shopping Experience Sure I’m in to have shopping suggestions tailored made for my individual needs. I’d love to have retailers know my size, style, etc. My only concern is my privacy. That’s got to be worked out before the public is ready for widespread sharing of their public knowledge.

What does everyone else think?