In my last blog post, I had written about Google's efforts to become a preferred search engine even to search contents within a mobile app. Google's search algorithm is currently considered poor when it comes to crawling content within a mobile app. And since people with smart phones spend significant time on mobile apps, it is critical for Google to improve its ability to peep into apps.
WSJ yesterday reported a related news that Facebook is letting Google to crawl over some content hidden inside its Facebook app. So anyone searching on Google from a smartphone will be able to see some content of Facebook app (usually public profiles, groups, pages etc.). The search results will come with deep links, ie. on clicking, this search will take a user directly to the facebook app. What is interesting to note is that Facebook has recently upgraded its 'Search' service.
Last week we discussed that Flipkart was ready to play ball with Google and build a google-search friendly website. This week we have Facebook coming out in support of Google search engine for its mobile app contents. Why are companies strengthening google's search engine? Wouldn't they be better served (specially Facebook) to let this search weakness persist until people start losing faith in Google search?
The answer to this question lies in 'Deep links' that appear on Google search for mobile app content. The deep links take the user directly to the app and it has been observed that people who come to an app from a 'google search' tend to stay longer on the app. Facebook bets that if it can help Google, it will see more users landing onto the facebook app.
This is why everyone does not mind strengthening google's hands. As long as app companies cooperate, google's dominance in mobile search market is inevitable.
WSJ yesterday reported a related news that Facebook is letting Google to crawl over some content hidden inside its Facebook app. So anyone searching on Google from a smartphone will be able to see some content of Facebook app (usually public profiles, groups, pages etc.). The search results will come with deep links, ie. on clicking, this search will take a user directly to the facebook app. What is interesting to note is that Facebook has recently upgraded its 'Search' service.
Last week we discussed that Flipkart was ready to play ball with Google and build a google-search friendly website. This week we have Facebook coming out in support of Google search engine for its mobile app contents. Why are companies strengthening google's search engine? Wouldn't they be better served (specially Facebook) to let this search weakness persist until people start losing faith in Google search?
The answer to this question lies in 'Deep links' that appear on Google search for mobile app content. The deep links take the user directly to the app and it has been observed that people who come to an app from a 'google search' tend to stay longer on the app. Facebook bets that if it can help Google, it will see more users landing onto the facebook app.
This is why everyone does not mind strengthening google's hands. As long as app companies cooperate, google's dominance in mobile search market is inevitable.
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