“Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.”
The First Law of Geography according to Waldo Tobler is also a key component in Googles algorithm to determine search ranking. Google looks at how closely search phrases are spaced in the search box, and on the page, as well as how closely linked the searcher is geographically to the search results (among other things).
So it should be no surprise that Google can now provide search results based on how closely you are connected to people. Social Search, a new Google Labs tool, brings your social circle (and the Web content they create) into your search results.
We’re more connected to people than ever before
A longstanding belief is that there are six degrees of separation between any two people on earth. Start with the people you are connected with, move on to the people your friends are connected with, and within six people you can connect any one on earth.
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According to research, the social Web has helped connect us in ways like never before. According to the study, the average person is now connected by just three degrees within a shared “interest” or social group instead of six.
Social Search provides two degrees of relevant content in Search Results. Starting with the people you are connected with, Google Social Search stretches out your personalized social search index to include the people your friends are connected with to form your extended social circle.
What Social Search Does
Social Search makes use of your extended social network to help you find relevant information faster.
