Released on: April 04, 2011, 1:51 pm
Author:
QueryCLick LTD
Industry:
Media
Microsoft's Bing has been trying to chip away at Google's prime position in a number of ways, and now the search engine has revealed a new social integration strategy sure to get industry experts talking.
As an increasing number of web users turn to social networks for information and breaking news, search engines are being forced to reassess their traditional methods of ranking. This means that search engine results are changing, and the introduction of ties with Twitter and Facebook indicates Bing is embracing the new order.
The search engine will now offer real-time Twitter updates in Bing News, as well as in other SERPS, as a way to offer searchers up-to-date and breaking news in their search results. This way, the search engine hopes it will allow users to keep on top of trending topics without bypassing the search engine altogether.
This is the kind of move search engines need to be making if they want to engage with a new audience, claims SEO company Queryclick.com. A spokesperson said: "Integration like this is the best way search engines have of safeguarding their position as the top place for searchers.
"As social media channels become stronger, search engines face the danger of losing
younger generations. By offering users the chance to make their searches a little
more social, Bing could help tempt them to stay on one, centralised engine, rather
than choosing to search within their favourite social networks."
Additionally, Bing has announced a new partnership with Facebook, which will see
Bing's entertainment results instantly shared to Facebook users, if they are signed
in to both. This feature will utilise Bing's liked Results functionality and will
allow users to share news of their favourite films, artists, musicians and TV shows
to all of their Facebook friends.
The Bing and Facebook integration will also offer an overview tab that will allow Facebook users to update their statuses directly from the Bing entertainment results.
By keeping users in the search results, Bing could create an advantage for itself, said search engine optimisation experts explained. "If Bing can persuade its searchers to update their Facebook pages without having to leave the SERPs, it will have achieved something of a coup.
"Integration is definitely the way forward for both search and social sites in the coming years, as a blurring of boundaries and a number of increases in both technology and user sophistication means users are likely to become more demanding of their providers - wanting all of their needs met by few, multifunctional sites or engines ."
With a US roll out, it is not yet known when the new integration will make its way
to UK shores.
Contact:
QueryClick Ltd (SC342868)
50 Albany Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3QR
tel: 01314479079
fax: 01317770321