Is Facebook really more popular than Google?

The social networking juggernaut topped Google in Web traffic last week. What does that tell us about the future of the Internet?

facebook
(Image credit: Wikicommons)

Facebook surpassed Google last week as the most-visited U.S. website, according to a new survey by web analysis firm Hitwise. It marks the first time in nearly three years that the search giant hasn't occupied the top spot. But likely more disturbing to Google is the difference in year-over-year growth rates, with Facebook's 185 percent expansion in traffic dwarfing its own 9 percent uptick. What does this changing of the guard tell us about the future of the Web? (Watch a discussion about Facebook's ascent to internet supremacy)

We trust our "friends" more than Google: Facebook's traffic win tells us that "people want information from friends they trust, versus the the anonymity of a search engine," says Hitwise's Matt Tatham, quoted in CNNMoney. But Facebook shouldn't get cocky: "The Internet can be a fickle crowd" — just ask MySpace.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up
Latest Videos FromThe Week

Explore your latest briefing

Explore your latest briefing