Social search integrates information from social networks into search results and reflects the fact that searchers are interested in information and recommendations from trusted contacts and peers.
Google's social search, initially launched in 2009, is now being rolled out to more users around the world. Yohann Coppel writes about the social search global roll-out on Google's blog.
Bing, meanwhile, has been integrating more deeply with Facebook. Bing searchers will find results elevated if members of their network have 'liked' something. Writing on the Bing search blog, the search team say their focus is on helping users reach informed decisions using the 'Friend Effect'.