Will social media displace search engines as the number one source of Internet visitors?When Google unleashed Google Plus earlier this year. my first thought was that they were trying to get into the social media business as a way to diversify and expand their business holdings.

But after integrating MORE social medial code into my websites over the last few weeks, I have arrived at a completely different conclusion about WHY a search company would want to get into the social networking arena.

It goes directly to the heart of user behavior on the Internet. Users are now as likely or even MORE likely to use social media DIRECTLY as a way of seeking information.

One can follow news services, artists, authors, sports figures or even economic prognosticators without actually “searching for anything.”

In reality, we are moving towards an Internet REFERRAL system. We don’t seek information on our own so much anymore. Rather, we rely on trusted sources to refer “the good stuff" to us!

I have been very busy adapting to this fundamental shift towards Internet referral prospecting. The changeover has been subtle but it is very real!

And it is necessary for Internet survival!

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21 Comments on Will social media displace search engines as the number one source of Internet visitors?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
07
2011
477,457 Points 35 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Your picture is stunning. Nice work. I agree with you...we are not searching so much as having information now come to us.
8:40am • #2
163,915 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

If anything, this is also a reflection of the younger generations and their preferences to use the internet.  The rest of us follow and learn!
8:43am • #3
761,437 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good points Richard.  Things continue to change and morph and we must do our best to keep up and allow ourselves to change as well.  It can be overwhelming for sure.
8:43am • #4
561,247 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It is tough keeping up, and sometimes when you just think you've got a handle on it, they go and change the game!
8:47am • #5
1,422,188 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Staying on top of this when we depend on Google for consumers to find us a wise move and . .smart to invest our time and learn. . have a terrific weekend Richard
8:48am • #6
1,500,603 Points 355 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tammie...

By adding code that directly interacts with a social network. Here's an example where I changed a Guestbook from a form entry to a redirection to a SN page. Thanks for asking.

Debbie...

It is a fundamental change in search behavior. Thanks.

Mark...

It's a way of speeding things up, and using the power of inter-connectivity. Thanks.

 
8:58am • #7
412,847 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You have made a very good point.  The key is to stay on top of it.
9:09am • #8
1,500,603 Points 355 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Paula...

And there seems to be a lot more overlap now. thanks so much.

Laura...

And that can be very frustrating. Thanks.

Fernando...

And I hope that you have a great weekend too! Thanks for dropping in!

Kathy...

And that takes a lot more work tan it used to! THX
9:14am • #9
1,055,638 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

This very same topic came up at a meeting the other day, along with social media replacing regular email accts etc
9:22am • #10
586,663 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard -

Thanks for this post and the link you provided in #7.  I'm headed there now to see what's up.  It's ever changing and tough to stay on top plus keep do our jobs to the very best of our ability. We will go with the flow, learn what we need to and hang in there biding for Google to love us.

Best regards from The Q
9:57am • #11
535,983 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard,

 I am now more likely to send a facebook message to a client than email. Email tends to get overlook, while the little red "1" gets a client's attention.
10:27am • #12
166,554 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Richard I have bookmarked your post and subscribed to your blog. I think consumers are acting in two ways:

#1 They casually seek information via social media

#2 And then when they are ready to take action they do specific searches
10:28am • #13
313,893 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Change is happening quickly when it comes to Internet/web presence.  I did not think it would be possible for anyone else to give Myspace a run and Facebook did just that.  Now it seems like Facebook will be king for a long time but you never know one crazy change from them and someone else could swoop right in. 
10:42am • #14
1,099,877 Points 94 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard,

It's funny how so many tend to believe people without much formal training, like their social group of friends. It's rooted in who do you trust. Social media is still in it's infancy but will continue to grow unabated for a long time.

Rich
10:49am • #15
137,386 Points 8 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

The future of business is social and i think it is essential for any company that plans to move forward to integrate social media into their marketing plan. It is not there to completely replace your other marketing techniques, it is there as an additional source of leads in my opinion and a way to handle customer service efficiently. 
10:57am • #16
1,500,603 Points 355 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kristin...

Which is bad for me because I rarely look at my FB messages. Yikes, that has to change! THX

John...

The link example interconnects in BOTH directions... both TO FaceBook and BACK to SmokyPhotos. It allows guests to be filtered via their FB registration, but still promotes SmokyPhotos pages.

Best of all, it's FREE!!! Thanks so much.
11:05am • #17
156,434 Points 2 Featured Posts

Facebook is how the buyer checks you out....and they don't go to your business page they want to know who you are.  I can't count the times people will say oh how did the listing go? I would think, what how do they know I had a listing? Well they read about it on my facebook post.
11:42am • #18
499,569 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I think the huge glut of information is leading people to sort through it by turning to people they know and trust for advice - so yes, social networks are becoming a new "search engine" for people to get recommendations on all kinds of things.
12:06pm • #19
1,405,220 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very possible richard, although I have had 2 young couples (Mid 20's) say that they would prefer to talk on the phone than to text everything. 

I really like these couples!
4:38pm • #20
159,470 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I think I totally agree with you, Richard. The way internet works today this is a future way of getting a referrals.

Have a great weekend,
5:07pm • #21

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Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Coweta Newnan Homes for Sale

Newnan, GA

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Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

Address: 209 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan, GA, 30265

Office Phone: (770) 827-6225

Cell Phone: (770) 827-6225

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Author Bio: Richard Weisser is a Georgia real estate broker, licensed auctioneer, a candidate for GA House District 71 and has been writing about Georgia Real Estate since 1999.

Coweta Fayette Real Estate offers opinions and helpful information to consumers and real estate professionals in the Coweta County Georgia area.

Coweta Fayette Real Estate allows you to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with NO registration required!

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