Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg listens to a question after
introducing a new feature called 'Graph Search' during a
media event at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park,
California. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith
Facebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled a feature
to help its billion-plus users search for people and places
within the social network, in the company's first major product
launch event since its May initial public offering.
Speaking to reporters at its Menlo Park, California
headquarters, Zuckerberg described what he called "graph
search," which allows users to sort through content that has
been shared with them.
Critics have long deemed the social network's current search
capabilities inadequate.
Available as a "beta" or early version now, the new feature -
dubbed "graph search" because Facebook refers to its growing
content, data and membership as the "social graph" - will
initially let users sort through mainly photographs, people,
places and members' interests, he added.
"You need to be able to ask the query, like, who are my
friends in San Francisco," Zuckerberg said.
The world's largest online social network, Facebook is moving
to regain Wall Street's confidence in the wake of a rocky IPO
and concerns about its long-term money-making prospects.
Speculation had approached fever pitch over the past week
about what Facebook planned to reveal in its highest-profile
news briefing since its market debut. Guesses had ranged from
a long-rumored smartphone to a full Web-search product.
That anticipation, as well as expectations of strong
fourth-quarter financial results, have helped drive up
Facebook's stock. Its shares are up more than 15 percent
since the start of the year.
On Tuesday, its stock was off 0.3 percent at $30.84.
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