Search, plus Your World

If you are a part of Google+ you have probably seen Google’s push for you to use Search Plus Your World. As rolled out on Google’s official blog on January 10, 2012, Google has announced that when you utilize this type of search you are going to get the following features:

1. “Personal Results, which enable you to find information just for you, such as Google+ photos and posts—both your own and those shared specifically with you, that only you will be able to see on your results page;
2. Profiles in Search, both in autocomplete and results, which enable you to immediately find people you’re close to or might be interested in following; and,
3. People and Pages, which help you find people profiles and Google+ pages related to a specific topic or area of interest, and enable you to follow them with just a few clicks. Because behind most every query is a community. “

But this new method of searching is under much scrutiny, as PCMag.com reports. Google’s new search results could warrant an FTC probe. Critics are claiming that Google is favoring its own networks over its competitors. This goes against Google’s initial mission, which was to bring the most relevant results regardless of the network. They have claimed since day one that they would provide the most relevant results, so does this cross that line? This new search could exclude blogs not under Google’s Blogger, and block out other sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Do you think this new search crosses a line? Are you using the new search method?

Coppermoon is a full service Web Design & SEM firm which aims to help businesses compete in this digital age. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for updates.