Sometimes there is unwarranted hype when it comes to changes or updates with Facebook. But this time something truly significant is happening with Facebook’s new Keyword Search feature and you will want to know about this.
It will make a big impact for small businesses from retailers to service providers and just about every other SMB. It’s a new type of word-of-mouth marketing play and for small business it’s gonna be a game changer. Great news for those in the know and problematic for businesses not paying attention to Social Media Marketing.
Telling your story just became that much more important and here’s why:
In a sentence, Facebook’s keyword search allows people to access what their friends have mentioned in their profiles and posts with a simple search query.
For example: “Phoenix hairstylist” will search your contacts and present stylist recommendations from Facebook friends sourced by their past posts as well as profile information.
That’s powerful but the new keyword search capability also allows you to find posts you might recall seeing in your own news feed in the past.
Another example (ever had this happen to you?)
“Wow – somebody said they loved their stylist on Facebook a while back and mine just moved away. I wish I could remember who said that.”
Well, now you can remember with a simple search query on Facebook.
Type it in on your phone in the Facebook app and BOOM – there’s a business with an endorsement and a direct link for a new customer to follow – recommended by your trusted word-of-mouth source.
Next question, exactly why should a small business owner care?
People remember stories and stories make for great search results.
This new and powerful feature from Facebook will become standard operating procedure just like searching on Google is today. It will be localized, and from friends too, so the power of word-of-mouth will be amplified. Big time. And I predict it will catch on quickly.
Expect Facebook to enable the same functionality across Instagram as well, which opens up millions of additional opportunities for every small business.
This makes for exciting times and big opportunities if you know how to tell your story and help your customers amplify and share your story too.
If a small Business ever needed to be on social platforms now is the time. It’s all changing and happening fast and as always, we’re here to help you take advantage and grow with these new opportunities!
