IN THE RING…
GOOGLE – SOME SAY THE BIGGEST BADDEST SEARCH ENGINE IN THE WORLD
Current Record:
Undefeated. Until now, there’s been no true competition for search or popularity.
Training:
24 hours a day/7 days a week, Google’s Stanford educated trainers and techno-geeks of all ages work it over. Armed with its high energy algorithm, it changes its techniques daily and always keeps us guessing about what it’s capable of doing next. Even though Google’s always been a winner, they constantly have their game face on and keep on the offensive.
Strengths:
Google offers hundreds of applications and tools to users, and is available in every country of the world. It is a great source for information of any kind –anywhere, anytime and in abundance. It’s a favorite of everyone and a new verb has even been coined in its honor: google as in I don’t know how to cook jambalaya; I’ll google it. It’s fast on its feet, delivering heavy blows within seconds of the bell and is the ultimate search machine.
Weaknesses:
While Google gets you what you need, it’s totally impersonal. It uses formulas, analytics and machine-originated processes to deliver results. While they’ve locked it in more often than not, they don’t know you and can’t answer your questions. If you ask for an auto repair recommendation, they give you a list with strangers’ opinions – and only information that’s public and available to anyone and everyone.
What to Watch For:
Google now has developed a communications platform that encourages Facebook-ish (more personalized) sharing and conversations. They offer Friend Connect, which allows websites to link to accounts on most major social networks. They’re trying to maintain one-upmanship on Facebook by assuring users that all their information stays confidential and is never used to deliver targeted advertising.
FACEBOOK – THE MOST WIDELY USED SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS
Current Record:
Beats out MySpace and most other networking sites as far as number of users. It looks like they’re trying to be a contender for search but with a twist. They definitely have a chance at some serious popularity.
Training:
Harvard educated founders – basically a bunch of clever whiz kids with an attitude. They seem to listen to their users and have made strong changes that have solidified relationships and continuously attract new devotees. It’s safe to say that both Facebook & Google are propelled by the crème de la crème.
Strengths:
While it’s known for connecting people with others from their past, present and future, they’re emerging as an essential marketing tool for businesses of all sizes and even as a search option. With a combination of a simple design and the ability to control visibility and information, it’s drawing all types of fans. It supplies a totally personalized approach to getting answers and information. Facebook has created a cozy comfort zone, where people can collect friends, family, colleagues and favorite businesses and ask questions and get information from them. They figure who would you prefer to recommend a restaurant to you – an anonymous food critic, or your FB friends whom you know and trust?
Weaknesses:
While it’s improving, privacy is an issue and people fear being stalked. Your information is out there in public and could potentially be pretty vulnerable. If you’re not careful about customizing all your privacy settings, it’s easy for people to snoop around a personal profile and look at all your contacts (if they’re your Facebook friends). Also this site is a haven for viruses, hackers, hoaxes and other crimes/annoyances. It’s nothing new to hear of a security breakdown at Facebook and it’s even been involved in controversy over the sale of friends and fans.
What to Watch For:
Facebook is constantly working to get in better shape. They’re taking cues from everyday users and developers to make the site work better, faster and more securely. They’re making it really easy for users to retrieve the information they need by an improved use of indexing.
So…who’s going to be the winner in a Facebook vs. Google matchup? Well, Google will deliver on all your information – but if it’s the personal connection you want along with less information to sort through, Facebook makes a great contribution.
Tags: google vs. facebook
