Google is much more than a web site - they're an extremely large company with a diverse array of products. It also depends on how you define "important." As a product, I think search engines are more important than social networking platforms, although some people may disagree.
I disagree that Google is the most important WEBSITE in the world, because Google is a broader set of services and tools that live in a variety of places. When users access Google search from the browser toolbar, or send a query from a mobile phone via SMS, they aren't visiting a website. Facebook still (mostly) requires the user to go to facebook.com to access its content and features. Whether Facebook will replace Google is, I think, dependent on whether it can develop services that extend beyond the .com site.
Interesting question. Doesn't it boil down to search (assuming you mean Google proper, and not all of its ancillary sites) versus social netoworking? Users will always need to search the web when they're looking for information, but for social networking, sites like Facebook become destinations garnering the kind of devotion and time commitment that Google can only dream about. I don't know if Facebook has what it takes for the long run, but social networking sites in general may well become the most important facet of the web.
In the past week I have heard or said "Google it" a dozen times. Never in my life have I heard or said "Facebook it". Isn't it just one of the thousands of dating sites? I'll take another look.
Er, will the Kindle replace your brain as your favourite organ? Such a question is no less silly than that posed here. Facebook isn't even in the same league and is merely a fad. The Google ecosystem touches a wide variety of people - many of us make our livings in no small way through Google. The Facebook ecosystem is, well, insignificant by comparison. The real question, at least to me, is how on earth is Facebook worth $15 billion?
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January 14, 2008 at 12:11pm
David GrossmanGoogle is much more than a web site - they're an extremely large company with a diverse array of products. It also depends on how you define "important." As a product, I think search engines are more important than social networking platforms, although some people may disagree.
January 14, 2008 at 12:43pm
nikki6789I don't think Facebook will replace Google because Google offers so much content and services for non-registered members.
January 14, 2008 at 12:53pm
Tim Tymchyshynwho cares?
if we run our world by which is the most important website aren't we giving up our own free thought?
January 14, 2008 at 7:40pm
Karen McGraneI disagree that Google is the most important WEBSITE in the world, because Google is a broader set of services and tools that live in a variety of places. When users access Google search from the browser toolbar, or send a query from a mobile phone via SMS, they aren't visiting a website. Facebook still (mostly) requires the user to go to facebook.com to access its content and features. Whether Facebook will replace Google is, I think, dependent on whether it can develop services that extend beyond the .com site.
January 15, 2008 at 2:20pm
Whelan MahoneyI hope not. Facebook is already becoming cluttered with a million difernt widgets and whatnot.
February 19, 2008 at 8:11pm
David BeneteauInteresting question. Doesn't it boil down to search (assuming you mean Google proper, and not all of its ancillary sites) versus social netoworking? Users will always need to search the web when they're looking for information, but for social networking, sites like Facebook become destinations garnering the kind of devotion and time commitment that Google can only dream about. I don't know if Facebook has what it takes for the long run, but social networking sites in general may well become the most important facet of the web.
February 23, 2008 at 5:16pm
Mike BensteadIn the past week I have heard or said "Google it" a dozen times. Never in my life have I heard or said "Facebook it". Isn't it just one of the thousands of dating sites? I'll take another look.
February 25, 2008 at 6:45am
Abdulmalik Afegbuahow many other sites like Google do we have? how many other sites like Facebook are out there?????
February 27, 2008 at 5:58am
Damien BatemanEr, will the Kindle replace your brain as your favourite organ? Such a question is no less silly than that posed here. Facebook isn't even in the same league and is merely a fad. The Google ecosystem touches a wide variety of people - many of us make our livings in no small way through Google. The Facebook ecosystem is, well, insignificant by comparison. The real question, at least to me, is how on earth is Facebook worth $15 billion?
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