Mahalo, Techmeme and Facebook are going to beat Google - Scoble

Robert Scoble posted an interesting tid-bit last night which is resonating and echoing in blogosphere. In this multi part video, Robert builds the argument that future of the search is dependent on the social fibre.

Both of these videos are a must watch. Here is the link to Part 1 and Part 2. And bonus Part 3 (six minutes)

Robert points out how techmeme started by Gabe, works by watching the chain of conversations in blogshphere and by understanding the fabric of trust between the blogger and blog posts. Robert explains the basics of how Google search determines which pages to show you and though Google’s algorithm are resisitant to SEO tactics, but they are still prone to SEO manipulation and their is whole SEO industry dedicated to pushing your page into search results of Google. In contrast to Google, the search result returned by Mahalo are edited by humans, Mahalo being a human powered search engine.
Further, Mahalo creates high quality search results, just like Wiki, focused, detailed and accurate. In contarast to algorithms, the humans involved in Mahalo search result content are highly motivated and also use Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other searh engines to locate and distill the content and building on top of that. As opposed to a search engine like Google, where you have to visit multiple site to get the information you are looking for, a Mahalo result gives you everything in one place.

In the second part of the video Robert argues that since the Google’s algorithms are almost cast in iron and Google is a big company, it will be difficult for Google to turn around and respond to social change and threats from new human powered search engines like Jasons Mahalo and Techmeme. Robert also points out the Google can’t see the Video, and can’t understand what’s inside. Robert also brings in Facebook, and how Facebook so far been able to keep the SEO and junk out of the system by tapping into the social fiber.

I think Reobert is underestimating Google here. Why? because we don’t know what Google has in the works in its secret labs which we have not seen. Mahalo is doing a good job today, but we can’t assume that Google does not have something similar in the works and is not watching the Mahalo’s model of human powered search engine. There is nothing stopping Google from understanding the audio to text and understanding the context of the content in any video. If Mahalo’s really starts to take-off and sounds promising, Google can build on top of that model and start their offering. Wiki community creates great content and Google includes Wiki content in the search results it returns. What’s stopping Google from returning the Mahalo results in search results if they are high quality?

You did mentioned Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL, but Google was in your cross-hair throughout. And Robert why are you singling out Google?

So far Google’s track record has been great. They came late to the party and have beaten Microsoft and Yahoo in the email game and snatched the market share in Search. Why? I think because Google’s product offerings are customer driven instead of being market driven. Anyways, there is lot more in the videos, lot of talk of social fibre and it impact on search.

Though Mahalo holds potential, I do not completely agree with Robert. Why don’t you watch the video’s and draw your own conclusions on social search.

Update:

Ethan Stock has interesting take on Google on his OneTech blog
And reation from the SEO community on Roberts arguments and detailed analysis
Jeremiah on his Web Strategy its suggested that Google is dead. Go figure.

Update 2:
Dave Winer joins the conversation and has his usual no-nonsense take on the subject