Facebook graph search unveiled
Facebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled on Tuesday a feature that he said would help its billion-plus users sort through content within the social network and its content feeds.
This was the company’s first major product launch event since its May initial public offering.
Speaking to reporters at its Menlo Park, California headquarters, Zuckerberg described what he called “graph search,” which allows users to search through only content that has been shared with them.
“We look at Facebook as a big social database,” chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in announcing the so-called “graph search” function. “Just like any database, you should be able to query it.”
Facebook search improvement long overdue
Critics have long deemed the social network’s current search capabilities inadequate.
Available as a “beta” or early version now, the new feature – dubbed “graph search” because Facebook refers to its growing content, data and membership as the “social graph” – will initially let users sort through mainly photographs, people, places and members’ interests, he added.
Mark Zuckerberg introduces Graph Search
“You need to be able to ask the query, like, who are my friends in San Francisco,” Zuckerberg said.
The world’s largest online social network, Facebook is moving to regain Wall Street’s confidence in the wake of a rocky IPO and concerns about its long-term money-making prospects.
Speculation had approached fever pitch over the past week about what Facebook planned to reveal in its highest-profile news briefing since its market debut. Guesses had ranged from a long-rumored smartphone to a full Web-search product.
That anticipation, as well as expectations of strong fourth-quarter financial results, have helped drive up Facebook’s stock. Its shares are up more than 15 percent since the start of the year.
Comments from Internet users about Facebook graph search
Many Internet users were underwhelmed by the announcement, saying that it was lacking the expected wow factor.
“Kinda “meh” so far. A way to conform with what your online friends are lying about so that everyone else thinks they’re cool,” said one Facebook user.
Another user highlighted the benefit to advertisers: “Meh for the general public, but that sound you hear is every advertiser’s jaw hitting the floor. Essentially an 800-million+ searchable, customizable SQL query on Facebook users. Advertisers and promoters are gonna have a field day with this. Huge.”
Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg introduces a new feature called “Graph Search”
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