The search is over?
Google has bolstered its search service with data about what users' friends have 'liked' and recommended on social networking sites.
All those who are not a fan of the likes of Facebook and Twitter will be relieved to know the Social Search service is opt-in but those that choose to use the updated tool will be able to see if a website is recommended by their mates on networking sites in their search requests and according to Google's blog, "relevance isn't just about pages-it's also about relationships".
Google has confirmed it will move social search results into the main body of the search listings based on their relevance, instead of leaving them languishing at the bottom of the results page in a dedicated box.
"This means you'll start seeing more from people like co-workers and friends, with annotations below the results they've shared or created," wrote product management director Mike Cassidy and product manager Matthew Kulick.
The pair said that the upgrade enables users to get "even more information from the people that matter to you, whether they're publishing on YouTube, Flickr or their own blog or website. With these changes, we want to help you find the most relevant information possible, personalized to your interests and the people you care about."
Google said Social Search is now ‘more comprehensive' as it adds notes for links people have shared on Twitter, for example.
"In the past, we'd show you results people created and linked through their Google profiles. Now, if someone you're connected to has publicly shared a link, we may show that link in your results with a clear annotation," according to the blog.
Finally, the search giant said the update gives users more control over how they connect accounts and makes the process easier too. Users can still connect accounts publically on their Google Profile but now they can also make connections privately in their Google Account.
The updates will be rolled out immediately on Google.com in English.
