Facebook has launched a new universal search engine called Search FYI which can crunch through more than 2 trillion public posts.
Facebook’s quest to become its own internet has stepped up a gear with the launch of a new universal search engine called Search FYI that can crunch through more than two trillion public posts.
Facebook said that there are currently more than 1.5bn searches per day and it wants to make search results faster and more discoverable.
It has boosted its search capabilities with a new platform called Search FYI. The interesting thing about this is that until now people tended to stumble across public posts if friends reacted to something someone said. Now they can go straight to other public posts on issues that matter to them.
Search your way to the heart of the matter with Facebook’s Search FYI
“When something happens in the world, people often turn to Facebook to see how their friends and family are reacting,” said Tom Stocky, VP of Search at Facebook.
“Today, we’re updating Facebook Search so that, in addition to friends and family, you can find out what the world is saying about topics that matter to you.”
The new Search FYI platform includes better search suggestions as soon as you start typing based on things happening currently in the world. It will also highlight the most recent and public posts from friends.
“Search results are organised to help you cut through the noise and quickly understand what the world is saying about a topic in the moment. You also can pull-to-refresh and see the latest public posts,” Stocky said.
Users can dive into public conversations on topics that matter to them when links get shared widely on Facebook. “With one tap, you can find public posts about a link, see popular quotes and phrases mentioned in these posts, and check out an aggregate overview of sentiment. This feature is a first step — we look forward to people using it and giving us feedback so we can make it even better.”
It is an interesting and timely move on Facebook’s part because it now means Facebook is doubling down on what the network does best; it provides a kernel for discussion and debate on a diverse range of issues happening right now.
But up until now discovering these discussions was a matter of luck or being in the right place at the right time to see what other friends liked or commented on.
However, also be prepared to squirm because it means public posts you published years ago and hope may be forgotten can now be easily resurfaced. You’ve been warned. Gulp.
