The new SEO - Facebook realtime search

The Web breeds accountability. Businesses and products are reviewed, trashed, and praised on the Web everyday. Traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimization) works by weeding out those various mentions to bring a specific destination to the front of a search. This method will continue to work for some time - people use ‘Google‘ in their everyday vocabulary. BUT social habits are changing, Facebook is the new home page. And Facebook realtime search (+ friendfeed) is taking us into a new realm of SEO. One in which accountability of business, service and products will prevail over technical optimization techniques.

I’ve seen several examples on Facebook; “Does anyone know a good plumber?”, “What’s the best pizza place in Chicago?” ,”I want to remodel my bathroom, know any good contractors?”. Within a matter of minutes responses bubble up. And not just ANY responses, but recommendations from trusted friends and relationships. Its digital word of mouth, its socially relevant search. And its MUCH more valuable than an algorithmic search result. These are results and recommendations that hinge on great service, products, and reputation.

I’m sure you have been a part of or seen this pattern too? And its getting more interesting. Plug something into Facebook search. Click ‘Posts by Friends’ in the left column to see and filter status updates, wall posts, photos, links, etc. OR select ‘Posts by Everyone’ to see responses from fan pages and public profiles. There’s even a trusty web search too (Powered By Bing). You can imagine how valuable these results will become.

Facebook realtime search is not only a game changer in the way people will begin to search. It’s a game changer in how SEO and business will be conducted. Businesses and brands will be held to even higher standards of reputation and service when results are based on social relevance, not just keyword optimization.