Twitter has launched real-time search so you can instantly discover what’s happening right away.
To be honest, I’m not sure what to think about it. On one hand, it’s obviously a good thing because it makes Twitter more useful and user-friendly. On the other hand, I can’t help but think it’s a small part of a bigger strategic plan that Twitter is working on behind the scenes.
While it’s not entirely clear what’s happening, my thesis is based on two things Twitter has been focused on in recent months – hardening its infrastructure and improved search – and one thing it hasn’t been focused on – adding new, innovative features.
Call me a conspiracy theorist but there’s got to be a good reason that Twitter has spent so much time on meat and potatoes initiatives, while ignoring some pretty exciting opportunities such as recommendation engines so you can find new followers.
My sense is Twitter’s working on some kind of revenue model tied to advanced search, which explains why it’s been working on behind-the-scenes projects as opposed to some of the sexy stuff offered by third-parties.
It may have everything to do with linking search to relevant advertising even though Twitter has brushed aside suggestions that advertising is part of its business model.
Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree but something’s up. What do you think?
One Comment
Partly my instinct thru observation, partly business intelligence, suggests that Twitter is positioning itself to lead us to topical search in realtime, which, as you have well pointed out, may not only connect to advertising but, more importantly, enable an evolution for e-commerce and transacting….thru social retailing, and groups of individuals teaming up (communities) to buy cooperatively, extracting greater value in price, while demanding that the brands or suppliers focus on __convenience and fulfillment. Twitter will have advanced search, and data to market and sell…I really love your focus and intensity on this topic.