What is Graph Search by Facebook

The big announcement came.  Search is the game.

Graph Search announced by Facebook.

If you have used Facebook’s Search in the past, you know that some type of enhanced search was needed.  The existing search tool is not good.

Typical of Facebook, they just don’t “improve” something, they “invent” something.  This is not just a search tool, this is a “smart” search tool.  Facebook Graph Search gives users a search tool that enables them to search amidst their connections to find useful and connected information.

Want to see a list of your friends living in San Francisco?  Easy.

Want to find restaurants that your friends recommend in Chicago?  Done.

Care to see photos friends and connections have posted while in Paris?  Yep, it can do that.

In their own words, Graph Search is:

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Graph Search is a new way for you to find people, photos, places and interests that are most relevant to you on Facebook.

What is Graph Search useful for?

Graph Search will help you instantly find others, learn more about them and make connections, explore photos, quickly find places like local attractions and restaurants, and learn about common interests like music, movies, books and more. All results are unique based on the strength of relationships and connections.

What can I search for?
With Graph Search, you can search for

  • people
  • photos
  • places
  • interests

KEY BUSINESS VALUE:

Ability to search for BUSINESSES & get RELEVANT results based upon what my friends like

Instead of asking friends who they recommend, you’ll be able to search and immediately find out what friends have recommended in this past!  (all within privacy settings that users have set).

Here’s the Facebook video overview of Graph Search, credit to David King for the YouTube version:

 

Resources:

Facebook Press Release on Graph Search

Facebook Graph Search Beta Wait List sign-up and Information about the tool

Privacy Settings for Facebook Graph Search

Graph Search Privacy Overview Video:

 

Images from CNET Coverage:

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TabSite Live Blog screen capture during event:

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Summary by @Mike_Gingerich – TabSite co-founder

About Mike Gingerich

Mike Gingerich, President of Digital Hill & TabSite is a business blogger Marketer and Consultant. Part geek, part marketer, part strategist, total fitness and running junkie. Mike is an author and speaker, having presented at Social Media Week Lima, Social Media Camp (Canada) and more. Mike is a marketing, social media, and business startup enthusiast with 10+ years experience building apps, consulting, and training businesses with winning integrated strategies. Mike loves deploying tactics to increase awareness, sales, and maximize ROI in both B2B and B2C markets via digital media.