Google embraces Twitter

08/12/09 posted by Liz Niland

Has Google been getting a little hot under the collar? Offering up a flurry of new features and services over the last week, the search giant has announced the introduction of “real time” search results, incorporating potentially relevant Twitter, Facebook and blog posts as they become available. 



With Bing hardly nipping at Google’s heels, it’s hard to think the innovation is being driven by fears of competition. When it comes to finding out the latest opinions or perspectives on a current topic many people appear to be using up-to-the-minute Twitter and Facebook as their go-to websites, rather than searching Google for a potentially outdated result.

Regardless of whether it affects anyone’s market share or traffic, the changes are a positive step towards harnessing the billions of pieces of content posted by users across the world. 



After referring to Twitter as “a poor man’s email system” earlier this year, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has made a surprise entry into the land of the microblogger. Possibly due to pressure inflicted by the aforementioned innovation, @ericschmidt is now broadcasting his latest news, and reading the updates of everyone from Queen Rania of Jordan to rapper 50 Cent.

Trying not to be outdone - in Australia anyway - Bing have slated 2010 as the year of improvements. While Australian searchers have so far missed out on the Bing features - such as shopping and airfare comparison - enjoyed by their US counterparts, Ninemsn CEO Joe Pollard has announced next year will see the improvement of both the quality and quantity of local Aussie content and services. We’ll be watching.