Google Gets in Yo' Face(book)

(A Lego depiction of what it’s like to be bloggin’ in a coal mine.)

I don't know about the rest of you, but the first thing I try to do when looking up an old college buddy or lost childhood friend is "google" them.

This is something I do before I even attempt to search through the myriad of social networking sites where I am a virtual card carrying member (MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Meetup.com - you name it).

It seems as though Google has caught onto its popular use as a virtual friend finder with its very own social networking tool called "Friend Connect" which basically can make any mom and pop blog its very own Facebook.

I like how Google is capitalizing on the desire of winning the Internet popularity contest for the public at large.

But - wait a minute, last I checked, weren't they a search engine or something?

Here's an interesting Time article about the whole deal.

(Tim's note: Friend Connect is currently a preview release going to be offered to a limited number of site owners.)

Thanks, Jenn!