The Third Pillar of Facebook: Graph Search

In case you have not heard of the new Facebook Graph Search, check this out!

It's a new way for people to discover your business.

Currently only available to a beta group of users in USA, it is good to keep up-to-date with how it works and the implications for your business. It will hit our shores before we know it!

What it is
Graph Search is a new and improved search experience that allows users to discover people,
places, and things on Facebook. Whether you are a Page, place, group, app, or game, you and the
content you share can appear in search results based on the information you have shared and
the connections you have.

How it works

Now people can search the social graph, not just by name but also by categories or simple

phrases. Relevant results are unique and different for everyone, based on their relationships and the
information and content that has been shared with them.

Advertising implications

Pretty nothing much has changed. As in the existing search bar, Sponsored Results are still available in Graph Search. Sponsored Results allow you to promote results in the search bar and will appear whether or not users have Graph Search. 

What you can do to ensure for your business to optimise Graph Search:
1. Make sure your Page, Place or App information is complete and up to date
• The name, category, vanity URL, and information you share in the About section all help a user find your business and should be shared on Facebook
• If you have a location or local place Page, update your address to make sure you can appear as a result when a user is searching for a specific location
• Upload a 620x620 pixel resolution profile photo
• Share content directly on Facebook; only photos and videos shared on your Page can appear as a result for photo and video-related searches
2. Strengthen your connections
People who engage with your Page or app do matter. Results are ordered based on a user’s relationships with his or her friends, so it’s not just the number of fans or users but also the strength of those connections that are important. For example, if a user searches for restaurants in a particular city, those that are most popular with his/her closest friends will be displayed first. Additionally, results that are similar to a searcher’s existing likes and interests may be ranked higher.