Will Using Social Networks Create More Openings Than Traditional Search Engines?



Google has evolved to become the major business on the internet over the last twelve years. However it was reported by the internet industry experts Hitwise that in March 2010, Facebook overtook Google as the world’s most popular website, with Facebook receiving more traffic in America than Google. Does this mean that social networking sites are becoming an alternative to the traditional search engines?

The traditional search engines may be receiving less traffic than the social networking sites but of course how those sites are utilised is very different. Search engine use is more useful traffic. By the nature in which they are used, the average customer will spend a lot less time in a search engine but with a particular purpose. The speed of reaching a result is more important. The traditional search engines are still a vital sales tool, and search engine optimisation is still an essential aid. A lot of new trade can still be generated with an improved search engine positioning. After an initial examination of your business’s website and some simple improvements the information provided on the search engine listing can become more prominent. Some more work to advertise the business’s website and improve the awareness of the search engines will help to enhance that search engine positioning to attain a listing on page one of the results.

On a social networking site, most of that extra traffic must be using the site for its primary reason – being social. There will be very little business activity. It may be possible for other types of search such as film reviews, but it is hard to see how a customer searching for an enterprise to supply products or services would use a social network.

The social networks are financed by paid advertising, but if possible customers are spending so much time in a network that is apparently very popular then that advertising must cost more than advertising elsewhere. search engine optimisation can be better value for money than bought advertising. Using tools made available by the search engines, the impact of search optimization is also easy to assess.

It could be said that Facebook groups are more selective by their nature. The groups are agglomerations of similar people with similar needs. But by the very nature of being special interest groups, they are also restricted. A group member chooses how visible to be, and who can have access to any information that may be available. search optimization will have no impact on this.

Conventional searches are very open, with no need to be a member of a group at all. There are still lots of possible customers for whom the social networking sites are a complete irrelevance, nothing more than another strange tag in the corner of a web page, a place to reference because it appears it needs to be. Those possible customers will still originate from a good search engine positioning on a traditional search engine. search engine optimisation can improve your business’s website and help provide the information the possible customer really wants.

The social networking sites such as Facebook may be getting busier, but Google and the other traditional search engines will still be a valuable source of trade for your business. search optimization will still make a great difference.



2 Responses to “Will Using Social Networks Create More Openings Than Traditional Search Engines?”

1. Are All Blog Comments Good for Your Blog? | A Good Time is Blog Time says:

   April 14, 2010 at 5:00 am

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   July 12, 2010 at 2:00 pm

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