Twitter Search vs. Google – The Battle Rages On
April 30th, 2009 Posted in SEO
While Google is known as the most popular internet search engine on the web, Twitter Search, an engine for social media networkers, is on the rise. Twitter search provides information not just on a topic of choice, but rather the extent to which people are talking about it. Twitter provides up-to-date communication in a search engine – something Google has yet to have.
Want to know about Starbucks in Pittsburgh? Use the Twitter Search engine to learn how people in that city feel about their Starbucks experience from their daily interaction.
“Learn strangers’ opinions on everything from jeans to Star Trek…”
How much more interpersonal can you get?!
With Twitter Search, honest information on a product from people in your network is at your fingertips. Don’t waste time looking at biased, outdated opinions from power holders – Google is not going to tell you if the Barista is adding too much foam today to your latte at your usual location.
Twitter Search provides short, concise information about something from people that you know and can trust, rather than from an article from Hong Kong or Paris that randomly comes up during a Google Search.
A downfall about the Twitter search engine is that social media networkers often need more. That is where Google comes in – it gives easy accessible information on the topic that networkers on Twitter may not.
For instance, if you read that someone is thoroughly enjoying her latte and want to know where the nearest Starbucks location is, Twitter may not be able to help you.
“Instead of getting info from Paris, you can find it locally.”
So why not integrate Twitter and Google?
Google is clearly picking up on Twitter’s boom of success and realizes the vitality of communication during web search. Twitter seems reluctant to cave into any other corporation, previously turning down a $500 million offer from Facebook.
However, this may not stop Google from making an offer.
Google CEO, Eric Schmidt says that Google is, “looking at … ways of integrating microblogging capabilities, such as those popularized by Twitter, into its search product.”
So, will Twitter cave into Google and unite to become one powerful search engine?
Twitter CEO, Evan Williams claims he would not even sell Twitter for $1 billion even though its appraisal price is $250 million.
“Twitter doesn’t seem to have a price tag…”
$1 billion may seem like a copious amount of money, but the value it could add to the already powerful Google is priceless.
While Twitter may not be at the same height as Google, its interpersonal network of information is making it critical mass and may someday leave Google in the dust.
| Kaitlin Durkosh
Want content written for your Brand that shows up #1 on Search Engines and brings you new customers? Contact us. |
5 Responses to “Twitter Search vs. Google – The Battle Rages On”
By Beth on Jun 17, 2009
I don’t have Twitter and have resisted the idea of getting it so far, but this post made me reconsider. Google usually gives me the information I need, but I am constantly frustrated when I try to find up-to-date reviews of restaurants, art exhibits, and even vacation spots. I hadn’t even thought of using Twitter for that. It’ll be interesting to see how Google tries to integrate Twitter or a similar service.
By Kaitlin on Jun 20, 2009
Hey Beth,
Thanks for your comment. I had never really thought of Twitter as a search engine either until I downloaded the program for fun and tried it out. It was actually pretty cool what I was able to find on there. Although I am not an active member on Twitter, it is nice to have it as a resource! You should check it out- if you find yourself not using it, then you can always delete it!
By K8 on Jun 26, 2009
I just got a twitter account last night after spending 4 hours reading this blog. Honestly, I’d credit Branding Brands blog in convincing me that social networking is something to embrace. I have yet to use twitter as a search engine, but no doubt I’ll be exploring it. As for the potential marriage of Google and Twitter, in a way I think it is inevitable. Twitter has a very powerful idea and Google can most definitely make it more powerful.
By lj on Jul 1, 2009
Twitter has not been as user friendly as advertised by the media – at least in my experience using it. When I go to search for friends or certain content, I usually end up empty handed. So even though Google may be more interpersonal, it has been more reliable in my everyday searches.
By Ava James on Jul 3, 2009
Originally, I thought of Twitter to be a mindless spawn of the Facebook/Mypace era, reducing social activity to status updates. But this blog shines a different light in Twitter’s direction. Not only does it offer social interaction, but it now it brings a very personal search engine. These days people want to know thoughts and opinions, flat information doesn’t cut it anymore. While Twitter could prove to be a very powerful entity, it’s inflexible views of joining any other companies, say Google, could hinder it’s chances of growing.
Lj’s comment does ring true though, Google is our everyday go to search engine, and in most cases it suffices. Twitter is more in depth, but for convenience’s sake, Google gets the job done.