Wednesday 16 January 2013

10 things to know about Facebook Graph Search

Facebook has launched Graph Search, a new search tool that uses social data to provide you with the best possible answers to your queries. Not sure what this feature will can do for you? Worry not, here's a quick guide to help you familiarize with Facebook Graph Search.
Here's over to 10 things you need to know about Facebook Graph Search.
What is Facebook Graph Search?
Facebook Graph Search is a new social search tool aimed at making it easier for users to find people, photos, places, interests. You can look for people who live in the same city as you or like your favourite cuisine. Similarly, you can ask for reviews of a movie or a restaurant that you are thinking of checking out and lots more with this feature.
All you need to do is to type the specific question in the big search bar on top of a Facebook page. You can even improve queries with 'Refine This Search' box, placed on the side of the search bar.
What can I do with it?
With Facebook Graph Search, you can ask specific questions about your friends, such as 'my friends who like The Beatles' or places your friends 'like'. Not only this, you can be even more specific while asking questions, for example 'my friends in New Delhi, who like trekking'.
Graph Search will dish out the best photos of your friends, based on the most number of likes and comments they get.
How can I join it?
Currently, Facebook Graph Search is in early stage of development and is undergoing beta testing. Moreover, it will initially be available for only a few thousand users in the US. However, you can sign up for Graph Search beta testing at www.facebook.com/graphsearch even if it is not available in your region.

Is it available on mobile or desktop?
As of now, the new search feature by Facebook is not available on mobile devices and is limited to desktops only.

Is it not web search?
No, the difference between Graph Search and web search is that the former harnesses the potential of social data in Facebook's server, while the latter makes uses all the websites on the World Wide Web. Therefore, while you can find a movie review by a prominent critic on a Google or Bing search, you will get to know what your friends think about the movie through Facebook Graph Search.
 In case Graph Search is unable to find suitable answers to your queries, Microsoft Bing will instead provide related web search results.

Will this make all my Facebook data searchable?
No. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg stressed that only the data you share with the world will be included while computing Graph Search results. Therefore, if you have made a certain photograph available to friends of your friends, then they may find it in the result upon making a specific query, even though you are not directly connected. Same goes for pages you have liked, places you were tagged at and movies you saw, events you went to etc.
However, Facebook will not take into account status updates while computing Graph Search results.

What about my Instagram photos?
Even though Facebook owns Instagram, it has decided not to include photos posted via the mobile photo sharing app in its Graph Search results.

Who all can search for me?
Anyone on Facebook you have not blocked will be able to see data if it crops up in Graph Search results. However, you can still enjoy privacy by restricting data like photos, friend list, personal details etc to certain groups, such as friends only.

Graph Search affects my current privacy settings in any way?
No, the Graph Search does not change your current privacy settings in any manner. People can only search for content that has been shared by you.
 
 
What does it mean for online marketers?
Facebook Graph Search will help businesses understand their audiences better. For example, a sports merchandise brand can now accurately find out how many people in any particular region, say Mumbai, like MS Dhoni. Moreover, standalone businesses like restaurants can target the local populace with queries like 'people in Bangalore who like XYZ cuisine'.
 
 

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