How Small Businesses Benefit From Facebook Graph Search

By now you have probably heard about the new Facebook search called Facebook graph search. Everyone I have talked to seems to have a "meh" mentality about a social media search and do not think it will be much of a change. They say it will definitely be no improvement over Google's search. However, I completely disagree and feel if a businesses Facebook page is properly optimized, the consumer will benefit greatly. How you say? Imagine you are having car troubles, do you trust the number one spot on Google (random shop), a random shop you found in the Yellow Pages, or do you use the Facebook graph search to find a shop that your own friends like and trust?

How to Optimize Your Facebook Page for Graph Search

Make sure your Facebook page is optimized in the correct category. This will make sure consumers can easily identify the type of business you are and what services or products your business offers. With Facebook Graph, you need to make sure you are in the correct category, so you can be found when a consumer performs a business category search. If a consumer is searching for "diners that my friends like", Facebook will only display your diner if it is properly listed.

Diners that my friends like

Once you have your page properly optimized, meaning in the correct category. Be sure to categorize with Facebook place topics, have your category and subcategory updated with your basic information, you will then need to check your profile for complete accuracy. Again it is very important for all of your information to be accurate, because if you have the wrong zip code you may not show up in a particular search. This is also a great time for you to set up separate pages if you have multiple locations and make sure they are all optimized.

The Importance of a Strong Social Presence

More likes is good.

Only after all of the housekeeping is done, it's time for the magic to happen. You might of heard of an EdgeRank score. Basically, the more your fans interact with your page by commenting, liking, and sharing posts the EdgeRank will go higher. With a higher score, your fan page will have a better chance of showing up in a fans newsfeed. While nothing has been confirmed the assumption is that EdgeRank will also influence the graph search. With that said, having a fan base full of consumers who have great experiences with your company will be very important. If you know you have happy customers, ask them to "like" you, then provide great content for your fans to interact with.

The Facebook Graph search has finally made the pursuit of getting likes a lot more important. Especially for small local businesses, such as coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. It is extremely important for companies like this to appear high in a "nearby" search. In order to appear higher in the search, having connections on Facebook will be important.

If your small business has an optimized Facebook page, with a strong social presence, this could mean that the Facebook graph search will bring your company much more business. Again think how important it is to hear your friends like something, it can even be better than reading a review on Yelp. Since you know these people personally, you will trust what they say more, giving the Graph more value. Is your small business page ready for Facebook Graph search? If not, it's time to get busy.