Facebook Opens up to Search Engines
Today's big bombshell in the search engine optimization world is that Facebook is opening up its profile listings to search engines. Facebook writes in its notifications to members:
Now people can search for this listing from Facebook's Welcome page. In a few weeks, it may also be found through search engines like Google.
You can control whether you have a public search listing, and where it appears, from your Search Privacy page.
Since your search privacy settings are set to "Everyone," you now have a public search listing. This means that friends who aren't yet on Facebook will be able to search for you by name from our Welcome page. Public Search Listings may only include names and profile pictures.
In a few weeks, these public search listings can be found by search engines like Google. No privacy rules are changing; anyone who discovers your public search listing must register and log in to contact you via Facebook.
This is an overwhelming plus for all parties. A few quick thoughts:
- Facebook is writing a roadmap for how ANY community should handle user privacy. I've included screenshots below of Facebook's privacy settings. It's amazing what you have control over. While some journalists and pundits are worried about a potential member backlash, and some members might whine, this is easily the most control I've seen a site give its members. I welcome any examples of anyone doing it better.
- The specifics on traffic implications for Facebook are hard to predict, as it depends just how well optimized Facebook will be. But it will definitely help Facebook's traffic, and it should encourage other people on the fence to join.
- Win-win-win - Facebook/search engines/members.
More to come, I'm sure. Screenshots are
below - click to enlarge.
