A now removed Tweet by Digg founder Kevin Rose suggested Google were developing a social network to rival Facebook.

I can’t imagine it being too much of surprise to most people seeing how popular Facebook is and how much data they have access to.

Pete Cashmore, CEO of Mashable and social networking blogger for CNN, brought up some interesting points regarding Google’s possible entry into the social networking game.

Cashmore believes Google is growing envious of Facebook’s treasure trove of data it has collected (and continues to collect) from its users, especially since the ‘Likes’ feature was implemented into more than 50,000 websites. Meaning many users preferences are recorded allowing targeted and specific advertising.

As well as being envious Google is probably worried that Facebook could pose a threat to their own dominance/profit-margin.

The ‘Likes’ feature could form the foundations of a search engine, with ranking determined by the amount of ‘Likes’. It would only take a subtle change for Facebook to allow its users to search the Internet for relevant content from their profile or news page, more or less meaning people would be using Facebook for everything except shopping (which is bound to come).

Is there a demand for a Facebook rival? A little. Consumers like competition, it breeds choice, better service and cheaper prices and at the moment there is no real alternative to Facebook.

Within the next couple of years we will probably see Google jump into social networking and Facebook step up its SEO relevance. With Bing powering Facebook’s search engine it’s taken a small step but if the ‘Likes’ feature continues and maintains its popularity then we could be implementing ‘Likes’ onto all web sites.

P.S. The Internet changes so fast there’ll probably be some new form of communication this time next year; psychic or the use of robot avatars.

Don’t Forget Facebook, Perfect Tool For Networking

It’s everywhere, you can’t avoid it, but there is more to social media than Twitter, especially for a business. Many people have lost touch with other areas of social media that can be vital for SEO and networking purposes, does no-one remember Facebook?

We at Creare have a Facebook, Twitter and new media focussed social media site Virb account. This has proved to work well and we not only have an excellent ratio on Twitter between followers and followed, we keep in touch with those that take time to post feeds.

However, we have recently received a vanity URL within Facebook after gaining 100 fans for our page. Now do people see how this has a tremendous affect on social media? Our page is no longer a list of numbers, we are recognised in the world of face as a company, via our page’s URL.

Our fans and friends of course have made this happen, but we have not found these people through any other means than Facebook itself, building up relationships rather than adding them for numbers alone. Taking the time to speak to them, thank them and interact with them on a daily basis.

I am not disputing that Twitter isn’t the best way to get kick started with social media, it’s is just vital to explore other ways to help your company grow and gain more brand exposure. For SEO purposes this can’t be bad, and by gaining fans, friends and followers you have to take the time to make them want you, as much as you need them.

Don’t forget the old school ways that are still proving to be effective, and don’t neglect your Facebook page. Get to know people and you will meet those that can contribute to your business in more ways than simply recommending a friend request.