Google Social Search updated

Google has extended the scope of the Social Search functions of its engine.

Social results from friends’ updates on the likes of Twitter, YouTube, or personal blogs and sites will be now be mixed in with the search results Google returns. Previously, they were tucked away at the bottom of the page.

In other words, you’ll possibly start seeing web content from friends and acquaintances being returned quite prominently on searches.

If you’re looking for information on juggling flaming balls of liquorice, and a friend happens to be an expert fiery liquorice juggler, then their blog post of tips might appear with a note and picture of them.

Links that friends have shared or tweeted will also now appear in search results for a topic, making searching a more personal experience all round. And possibly also making the searcher ponder exactly how much information the big G has stored about them and their lives…

Of course, you’ll only receive Social Search results when you’re logged on to your Google account.

This socially oriented update isn’t live yet, but is currently rolling out, and should arrive in the next week or so.