A recent change to the Facebook mobile app on some devices has been designed to allow users to quickly share relevant search results.
Currently only popping up on iOS handsets, a new icon on the mobile platform leads to a page titled ‘Add a link’. Using this service, Facebookers are able to enter a query to bring up a number of results. Users should then be able to share these findings with their friends, which could help to create a collaborative search community.
Talking to Wired, a Facebook spokesperson confirmed that the pilot scheme was taking place, enabling members to add a shareable link to their news feeds. According to the technology magazine, however, the new tool could prove to be a problem for search engine Google.
Although the internet giant currently has a firm hold on the online search market, it is believed that allowing users to make relevant queries through the social platform’s app could tap into a captive audience. Without having to leave Facebook to make searches, especially ones that members can quickly share afterwards, this could help to draw traffic away from Google.
If the trial does get rolled out across the social network’s services, it would also cut down on the amount of time it takes for internet users to forward interesting content to their family and friends. While this could help to enhance Facebook’s user experience, it would also help with site retention, as people would not have to leave the platform to discover new stories.
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