by News Editor
L. Sutherland
L. Sutherland
When something steals as many headlines, and curious net users, as micro blogging site Twitter has, you can rest assured that the eyes of the biggest online players are firmly glued to its achievements and failures. So, considering the success Twitter is currently enjoying, news that Google may be taking inspiration from its short and succinct format should come as no surprise. According to Vnunet, Google announced that it has been considering making real-time updates to its search services at a recent US press event. Marissa Mayer delivered the news that the Mountain View search stars think there is potential that adding micro blogging messaging to search could add more value to end users. A wise move for the giant, seeing as Twitter's widespread adoption seems to indicate that interest in real time updates is where it's at.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Ms Meyer said: "We are interested in being able to offer, for example, micro-blogging and micro-messaging in our search.
"Particularly in Blog Search and possibly in Web Search, but we don't have any particular plans to announce."
While this is an interesting insight, it's clear that if Google is considering a straight out competitor to Twitter, it isn't telling now. It does, however, appear certain that the search company is attempting to keep its finger on the pulse - and it's searchers on-side - by ensuring it offers the services users want, whether this means a departure from the traditional search format that made them or not.
And with Twitter having just launched its universal integrated search offering, it's clear that the popular communications channel has finally seen the potential (financial and otherwise) of search services. With recent developments such as these threatening to change the search landscape, it raises the question: is Twitter about to become more like Google, or is Google looking for a Twitter style makeover?
