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.
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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