Today Facebook announced that the beta version of a tool called Graph Search will soon roll out to all its US English users. Unlike traditional Web search, Graph Search lets you ask questions like, “What restaurants do my friends like?” or perform cross searches like, say, “Pictures of my friends who are models.”
If you haven’t yet tried Graph Search you are probably wondering what all the fuss is about. For one, it makes the personal information you’ve stored on Facebook more accessible than ever. Just as before, only those Facebook users who have your permission will be able to view your data, but the difference is this: to access all that data they no longer have to dig through your profile. For the first time, your private information will be at their fingertips. That’s why some claim Graph Search should make us run for our lives. Others, however, merely find the tool amusing. As for me, I find the tool creepy, amusing, and addictive.
Check out what I did today while playing around with Graph Search. Then let me know the creepy searches you conjured up.
“Spouses of my married friends”
First I checked out which of my friends has the hottest hubbie.
“Singles who are not my friends and are named ‘Mike’ and live nearby”
Then I decided to look for a hubby of my own. He couldn’t be someone I already knew, and his name had to be Mike.
“Singles who are not my friends and are named ‘Mike’ and like Icecream and live nearby”
But I had to make sure we’d be compatible, so I narrowed down my search with a common interest: ice cream. I think I found some contenders!
“Photos taken at bars visited by my friends”
My friends never invite me out with them, so I was hoping to find out what bars they go to. Unfortunately it seems like they only go to Vegas, which is not within walking distance of my house.
“Breakfast & Brunch Places liked by people who live nearby”
I’m sick of eating breakfast by myself, so I searched for the popular brunch spots of people in my neighborhood. Maybe I’ll find the family who lives upstairs the next time I eat at Square Café.
“Photos of relatives of my friends”
What do my friends’ families look like?
“Photos of my friends who like running”
Now all I have to do is figure out what time they go for their runs…
Read more about your privacy on Facebook in light of Graph Search, or learn how to really control your privacy on Facebook.
Now, what creepy searches can you think of?