Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, is looking into moving into the AI search space, as Google continues its domination in this area. The company is developing the search engine for its own platforms and is focussing on building AI features on the Meta platforms using ‘Meta AI.’ This development may see a shift in how people find things on social media and messaging platforms and put Meta more seriously against Google and OpenAI’s ChatGPT in terms of traffic from search.
Moving Away from Reliance on Google and Bing
At present, Meta AI’s search function is still heavily dependent on Google Search and Microsoft’s Bing to ensure updated information on news, sports, and stocks. According to reports, it has taken steps to become self-sufficient, including making a Reuters deal to obtain news content directly for Meta AI. If it works, then Meta would be able to reduce its dependence on other tech companies because, with its independent search, access to the information would be directly streamlined through its apps.
Meta’s AI search ambitions come in the wake of greater change in user behaviour in which traditional search engines are failing to catch up with this shift. Generative AI ChatGPT and newer tools such as Perplexity are great examples of such platforms, which attract users in search of more interactive and insightful answers than Google or Bing would typically be able to offer. Others have been expressing discontent with the current Meta AI search bar that can be embedded across Meta platforms but cannot be disabled. Despite these criticisms, the alleged search engine project by Meta has reportedly been under-way for months, even with the company indexing its sites and building out databases.
Customising Search for Meta’s Ecosystem
It might bring to Meta-powered search unique functionalities suited to user experience on the platform. In fact, by having direct control over the search engine’s data sources, Meta would be able to create a more customised interface for users by using advanced AI and wide user data for a more relevant experience in search. However, this might also face resistance because publishers who are wary of web crawlers have blocked Meta’s web crawler already.
Entering into the search engine market is a change that Meta is introducing to the world, portraying ever-increasing battles among all tech giants. The well-set launch of an AI-driven search engine by Meta will redefine the balance on search, challenge the position quo of the established, and redefine how users find and interact with information all on their favourite social platforms.
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