Could Facebook Possibly be a Threat to Google?

Taylor Wilson - March 2, 2010

Is Facebook becoming a threat to the 800 lb gorilla known as Google? Ever since Facebook decided to open up its Application Program Interface (API) to agencies to allow advertisers to manage their Facebook ads more effectively, they have become a force to be reckoned with.

Facebook is now a powerful source in directing traffic around the Web. According to Compete Inc, Facebook has surpassed Google and has become the top source for traffic to major portals like Yahoo, MSN and AOL. For the first time ever, Google has formally listed Facebook as a competitor in its annual 10K filing.

Is social media becoming the next generation of search engines? Social Media trends are impacting the way people are approaching online marketing, even as Google takes steps to move into the social-media world. It’s quite possible that Google’s new social media buzz efforts may just be a reaction to Facebook’s overwhelming presence.

Facebook has over 400 million active members and 225 million of which have become active users in just the past 12 months. Facebook states that the average time users spend on Facebook exceeded 7 hrs per month in January 2010 and is up by over 10% from the previous month. According to Compete Inc, 13 percent of traffic to major Web portals like Yahoo, MSN and AOL has come from Facebook. Google, which has consistently been a leader in directing Web traffic in the past but, has slipped into third place with 7 percent.

Facebook has clearly become a major platform in the marketing arena. Now is when advertisers should be sure to focus more attention on social-networking sites like Facebook and figure out the best ways to capitalize on their ever growing traffic.