Tweets Now Searchable on Google

Twitter and Google strike partnership to bring Tweets into search results.

Twitter announced a partnership with Google that brings Tweets into search results on Google. U.S. users searching in English will see relevant Tweets in their search results within the Google app (iOS and Android) and mobile web.

The Tweets search results will not show yet on the desktop web version. Twitter says that this will be available shortly. Twitter and Google have plans to bring the integration more countries in the coming months.

How does the integration work? For example, if you’re interested in hearing more from Taylor Swift, a quick search on Google will pull up her most recent Tweets. Or, if you’re a TV buff, a search for #MadMen will bring up the most relevant news and Tweets about Sunday’s series finale. When tapping on a Tweet in Google search, you’ll be taken directly to Twitter where you can view the Tweet and discover additional content.

The Twitter integration seems to compete with Google News in terms of real estate Google is assigning to the Tweets. To get the latest on a topic users often check Google and after that go to Twitter to see if there is anything newer. To merge both systems makes a lot of sense. At first glance though the integration looks too superficial. 

Google’s strategy of “answering” all queries on the search page is controversial. The Twitter integration is likely to turn out beneficial to Twitter. Other services and content provider have had less luck. If Wikipedia would be a for profit organization they would have sued Google a long time ago: Search for How old is Madonna on Google.